NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
53 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 19, 2021
Exterior LightingForward Collision Avoidance
NOTICED THAT I HAD A BRAKE LIGHT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,REPLACED IT WITH PROPER BULB 1157.A DOUBLE FILAMENT BULB. IT APPEARS THAT IS ALSO THE TAIL LIGHT? CHECKED LIGHT AND IT WORKED BUT LATER REALIZED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT.THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THE DRIVER TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT AND REPLACED IT…
Read full complaint
NOTICED THAT I HAD A BRAKE LIGHT OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE,REPLACED IT WITH PROPER BULB 1157.A DOUBLE FILAMENT BULB. IT APPEARS THAT IS ALSO THE TAIL LIGHT? CHECKED LIGHT AND IT WORKED BUT LATER REALIZED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS OUT.THE NEXT DAY NOTICED THE DRIVER TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT AND REPLACED IT BUT LATER REALIZED THE BRAKE LIGHT DIDNT WORK,AS WELL AS MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME.WENT TO AN AUTO CARE STORE THEY REPLACED BOTH OF THE LIGHTSAND AGAIN TAIL LIGHTS WORKED BUT WHEN I PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL NO LIGHTS. CHECKED AND REPLACED THE FUSE JUST TO BE SURE AND AT THIS POINT I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND SEEN 285 COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE MAJORITY OF THEM SAID THERE CRUISE CONTROL HAD STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS THE SPORTAGE MODEL AND THE KIA SOUL.MOST SUGGESTIONS SAID REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH. I ALSO CHECKED FOR FAULTY WIRING AND THAT HAS NOT APPEARED TO BE THE PROBLEM AND MECHANICS 90 % OF THE TIME WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL OR SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM RESEARCHED BY KIA MECHANICS? IM STILL WAITING FOR THE ANSWER AND I SUSPECT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE TOO!!!!!!THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND IHOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS OR ISSUE A RECALL ON THE BRAKE SWITCH? OR THE CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR MAYBE IDK.
NHTSA ODI #11403805
6,000 miles · Jan 12, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
I PURCHASE MY 2005 KIA SORRENTO LX NEW FROM TAYLOR KIA IN TOLEDO OHIO.ALSO PURCHASED EXTRA WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER.A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING OUT I WOULD TAKE IT BACK GET IT FIXED COME BACK HOME AND ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE OUT TAKE IT BACK COME BACK TO WEEKS LATER ANOTHER HEADLIGHT…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASE MY 2005 KIA SORRENTO LX NEW FROM TAYLOR KIA IN TOLEDO OHIO.ALSO PURCHASED EXTRA WARRANTY FOR BUMPER TO BUMPER.A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER I HAD PURCHASE VEHICLE MY HEADLIGHT STARTED GOING OUT I WOULD TAKE IT BACK GET IT FIXED COME BACK HOME AND ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE OUT TAKE IT BACK COME BACK TO WEEKS LATER ANOTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD BE OUT. THEN THE HEADLIGHTS &TAILLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT THIS WENT ON WITH EVERY SINGLE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE.CONTINUE TO CALL TAYLOR KIA TO HAVE THE SERVICE THEN ABOUT THE SIXTH TIME ONE OF MY LIGHTS WENT OUT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS COMPLETELY COVERED EVERYTHING ON MY VEHICLE FROM BUMPER-TO-BUMPER. THEY ALSO RED FLAG TO ME ON THEIR COMPUTER SO THAT I COULD NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH MY KIA SORRENTO. AT ONE POINT I EVEN HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER TELL ME THAT HIS SERVICE GUYS WERE UPSET WITH ME BECAUSE I DID NOT GIVE THEM A GOOD RATING WHEN MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED TO JD POWERS.I GOT KIA CORPORATE INVOLVED WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD SOMEONE SOMEONE FROM CALIFORNIA TO FIX MY VEHICLE AND ENDED UP NOT SENDING ANYONE SENT A WIRE HARNESS INSTEAD. OF COURSE THAT'S DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHY ALL MY LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLES WAS GOING OUT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT MY KIA WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT EVER HAD THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BUT I COULD CLEARLY DRIVE DOWN THE STREET SEE OTHER KIA SORRENTO'S WITH HEADLIGHTS OUT. THEN I GOT ONLINE AND READ ABOUT HOW MANY KIA HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA CORPORATE WOULD NOT DO A THING ABOUT IT AND TAYLOR KIA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING AT THAT POINT. NOW MY CAR IS BROKE DOWN WITH THE CAM SENSOR AND ALSO CRANK SENSOR AND BOLT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THESE KIA SORRENTO'S.
NHTSA ODI #10819851
60,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ELECTRONIC ISSUES. ONE OWNER WITH A GARAGE PARKED LOW MILEAGE SUV. THE DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. ALL OTHER ADJUSTMENTS WORK FINE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS BUT NOW SEEMS TO BE A PERMANENT PROBLEM. THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN YOU OPEN THE DO…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE HAS HAD SEVERAL ELECTRONIC ISSUES. ONE OWNER WITH A GARAGE PARKED LOW MILEAGE SUV. THE DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. ALL OTHER ADJUSTMENTS WORK FINE. THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS BUT NOW SEEMS TO BE A PERMANENT PROBLEM. THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR OPEN ALARM DINGS FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY BURN OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10723166
145,000 miles · Mar 3, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUAL PREMATURE LIGHT BULB BURNOUTS OF ALL EXTERIOR LAMPS, HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND STOP LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY 1-2 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10691812
20,000 miles · Feb 6, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR OF WIRES PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR OF WIRES PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED AND THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA ODI #10681740
93,000 miles · Sep 22, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
INTERIOR ELECTRICAL LIGHTING TURNS ITSELF OFF AND ON. HEADLIGHTS WILL OCCASIONALLY SHUT THEMSELVES OFF. LIGHTS REGULARLY BURN OUT/NEED REPLACING EVERY 45-90 DAYS. DASH LIGHTS HAVEN'T WORKED IN OVER A YEAR - FUSE REGULARLY BLOWS, GAVE UP ON REPLACING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638165
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2014
EngineExterior LightingSteering
FROM THE TIME I GOT THE CAR HEAD LIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT AFTER A MONTH OR TWO, ALSO DASH LIGHTS GO OFF RANDOMLY AND FLICKER AND THEN COME BACK ON WHEN EVER THEY DECIDE,MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND A/C WENT OUT ALL AT ONCE. STARTED TO OVERHEAT, SO IT WAS DETERMINED THE SERPENTINRE BELT HAD BROKE…
Read full complaint
FROM THE TIME I GOT THE CAR HEAD LIGHTS HAVE REPEATEDLY BURNED OUT AFTER A MONTH OR TWO, ALSO DASH LIGHTS GO OFF RANDOMLY AND FLICKER AND THEN COME BACK ON WHEN EVER THEY DECIDE,MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND A/C WENT OUT ALL AT ONCE. STARTED TO OVERHEAT, SO IT WAS DETERMINED THE SERPENTINRE BELT HAD BROKE,REPLACED BELT AND VIBRATION UNDER HOOD WAS NOTICEABLE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE., BUT SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD. STILL REPLACING HEADLIGHTS EVERY COUPLE MONTHS, THEN POWER STEERING FLUID STARTED TO BE CONSUMED AND CONSTANTLYT REQUIRED ADDING FLUID, THEN HAD A MECHANIC CHECK FOR LEAK AND HE REPLACED SOME HOSES AND CLAMPS BUT VIBRATIION CONTINUED AND EVENTUALLY POWER STEERING BEGAN LOUD NOISE WHEN CAR STARTED AND ONLY WHEN REVED UP WOULD NOISE STOP, AND WHEN A/C WAS ON SOMETIMES WOULD EFFECT THE POWER STEERING NOISE. REPLACED THE POWERSTEERING PUMP, STILL THE NOISE CONTINUED AND RECENTLY THE BELT CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON , I WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY OFF THE ROAD AND DIDNT CAUSE AN ACCIEDENT, BUT VERY CLOSE CALL, BELT HAD COME OFF BUT AFTER MINOR ADJUSTMENT IT WAS PUT BACK ON, VIBRATION NOISE HAS BECOME WORSE, I AM AFFRAID TO DRIVE IT, MECHANIC LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HARMONIC BALANCE SEEMS TO BE OFF AND ROOT OF PROBLEM IS CRANK SHAFT BOLT MOST LIKELY , COMMON PROBLEM , HOWEVER DURING THE TIME IN KIA DEALERSHIP FOR OTHER RECALL ISSUES , CRANK BOLT WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AS BEING A PROBLEM IN MY YEAR OR MODEL CAR, NON IT TURNS OUT IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND LEGAL ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY CLASS ACTION SUIT DEALING WITH SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619131
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
ON 7/30/14 I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE MORNING OF 7/31/14 THE LIGHTS STILL WERE NOT WORKING SO I CHECKED THE FUSE BOXES. I FOUND A BLOWN FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD AND REPLACED IT. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STILL WOULD NOT WORK. THE EVENING OF 7/31/14 I AGAIN CHECKED THE FUSES AND FOUND THE FUSE I…
Read full complaint
ON 7/30/14 I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. THE MORNING OF 7/31/14 THE LIGHTS STILL WERE NOT WORKING SO I CHECKED THE FUSE BOXES. I FOUND A BLOWN FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD AND REPLACED IT. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STILL WOULD NOT WORK. THE EVENING OF 7/31/14 I AGAIN CHECKED THE FUSES AND FOUND THE FUSE I HAD JUST REPLACED IN THE MORNING WAS AGAIN BLOWN. I REPLACED THE FUSE AND HAD MY HUSBAND STAND AT THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE I TURNED THE IGNITION AND HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON. IMMEDIATELY UPON TURNING ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WE HEARD A "POP," CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT HAD ONCE AGAIN BLOWN. WE TRIED A THIRD FUSE AND IT BLEW AS WELL AS SOON AS I TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH. THREE FUSES IN ONE DAY AND STILL NO ANSWER ON HOW TO GET MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10618084
108,500 miles · Jun 21, 2014
Exterior Lighting
NOTE: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AND 500 MILES BEFORE PROBLEMS INITIALLY STARTED. 1) HEADLIGHT BULBS BLOW OUT REPEATEDLY EITHER DURING DRIVING OR AN ONSET OF DRIVING (COME ON MOMENTARILY JUST BEFORE BLOWING). HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS ON 5 OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. RESEAR…
Read full complaint
NOTE: PURCHASED VEHICLE USED APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AND 500 MILES BEFORE PROBLEMS INITIALLY STARTED. 1) HEADLIGHT BULBS BLOW OUT REPEATEDLY EITHER DURING DRIVING OR AN ONSET OF DRIVING (COME ON MOMENTARILY JUST BEFORE BLOWING). HAVE HAD TO REPLACE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT BULBS ON 5 OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. RESEARCH ON THE MATTER INDICATES THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD ISSUE AMONG KIA SORENTO OWNERS. OBSERVED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THE BULBS BLEW OUT AFTER USING THE KEY FOB. STOPPED USING THE KEY FOB AND THE BULB BLOWOUTS STOPPED, BUT ISSUE #2 CONTINUES (SEE NEXT INCIDENT DESCRIPTION). 2) HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAMS STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. HEADLIGHT LOW BEAMS STOP WORKING DURING DRIVING AT NIGHT OR WILL NOT WORK FROM ONSET OF DRIVING. INCIDENT OCCURS AT LEAST MONTHLY DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 600 MILES PER MONTH. LOW BEAMS START WORKING AGAIN ON INTERMITTENT BASIS. OBSERVED THAT IF THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT WORK AT ONSET OF DRIVING, AFTER SWITCHING THE LOW BEAMS ON AND OFF A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF TIMES (20+) THEY WILL SOMETIMES START WORKING AGAIN (LEARNED THIS AFTER BEING STRANDED AT NIGHT WITHOUT ABILITY TO SAFELY DRIVE). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10604941
13,600 miles · May 2, 2014
Exterior Lighting
I WAS STOPPED BY A FHP OFFICER ON MY WAY HOME ONE FRIDAY EVENING FOR MY LEFT HEADLIGHTS BEING OUT. I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE OUT UNTIL HE STOPPED ME. I DIDN'T GET A TICKET, ONLY A WARNING. THE OFFICER SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY LIGHTS OUT. A COUPLE YEARS BACK I WAS STOPPED IN VALDOSTA FOR TH…
Read full complaint
I WAS STOPPED BY A FHP OFFICER ON MY WAY HOME ONE FRIDAY EVENING FOR MY LEFT HEADLIGHTS BEING OUT. I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE OUT UNTIL HE STOPPED ME. I DIDN'T GET A TICKET, ONLY A WARNING. THE OFFICER SAID IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY LIGHTS OUT. A COUPLE YEARS BACK I WAS STOPPED IN VALDOSTA FOR THE SAME REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 50 TIMES OR MORE SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR. MY LIGHTS GO OUT EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS AND SOMETIMES I DON'T KNOW THERE OUT UNTIL SOMEONE STOPS ME OR I CAN HARDLY SEE TO DRIVE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I THINK KIA SHOULD RECALL THIS MODEL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OVER 100+ POSTS FROM THIS SITE OF OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ARE THEY GOING TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE KIA WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE TALKED TO A LAWYER AND I PLAN TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHERS WHO ARE READY ALSO. THE KIA DEALERS WANT DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THIS, AND THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM THAT IS FROM THE FACTORY. ALL THEY EVER SAY IS IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN 2005. I WENT DOWN TO SOUTH FLORIDA TO VISIT IN 2005 AND ON THE WAY DOWN ALL MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE AT ALL SO WE HAD TO STOP FOR THE NIGHT AND WAIT TILL MORNING TO GET IT FIXED. IT COST ME OVER $80.00 TO GET IT FIXED THE FIRST TIME. SINCE THEY GO OUT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN FIXING THEM. IT IS GETTING QUITE EXPENSIVE TO KEEP REPLACING THE BULBS AND IT'S VERY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS AS WELL!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586262