NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
56 reportsClear category filter5,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Exterior Lighting
THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 LIGHTS AT LEAST 6 - 10 TIMES EACH, SINCE BUYING THE 2006 SORENTO BRAND NEW. AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT THIS IS A NORM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. YOU CAN REPLACE ONE LIGHT AND IT WILL BE OKAY FOR AWHILE, BUT THEN AN…
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THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 LIGHTS AT LEAST 6 - 10 TIMES EACH, SINCE BUYING THE 2006 SORENTO BRAND NEW. AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING FROM NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT THIS IS A NORM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. YOU CAN REPLACE ONE LIGHT AND IT WILL BE OKAY FOR AWHILE, BUT THEN ANOTHER ONE WILL GO OUT, I HAVE ASKED THE MECHANIC IF THIS IS NORMAL, SEEING I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE LIGHTS IN MY 1996 CHEVY A FRACTION OF THE TIMES I HAVE THE SORENTO. THE REPLAY WAS, NO THIS IS NOT NORMAL THAT THEIR MUST BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE. IT WILL NOT RESUME, OR ACCELERATE. THE OTHER TWO BUTTONS WORK AS DESIGNED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419896
50,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND HE CONSTANTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DID NOT PROVIDE AN ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ONLY USE THE LI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER AND HE CONSTANTLY HAD TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DID NOT PROVIDE AN ACTUAL DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ONLY USE THE LIGHT BULBS SOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER, NOT AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10418610
91,134 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Exterior Lighting
I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA SORENTO BACK IN FEBRUARY 2011. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. 3 TIMES. EVERY FAILURE OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 64. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THEM CHANGED WHERE THEY HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE LAMPS AND HAVE COMPLETED A PROPER INSTALL. IT APPEARS THAT FOR A SECOND THE VEHIC…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 KIA SORENTO BACK IN FEBRUARY 2011. SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE HEADLIGHTS. 3 TIMES. EVERY FAILURE OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 64. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THEM CHANGED WHERE THEY HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE LAMPS AND HAVE COMPLETED A PROPER INSTALL. IT APPEARS THAT FOR A SECOND THE VEHICLE HAS NO POWER AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLASH OFF THEN ON. THE HEADLIGHTS GOING ON THEN BACK ON IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. THE LAST OCCURRENCE YESTERDAY 6/3/2011 HAPPENED ABOUT 2 AM WHILE DRIVING THROUGH DANIEL BOONE NATIONAL FOREST AND MADE THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE UNTIL DAYTIME HOURS WHEN IT COULD BE SAFELY DRIVEN TO A SHOP FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND LEFT MY FAMILY STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNABLE TO SEE TO DRIVE HOME FOR APPROXIMATELY SOME 45 MILES FROM OUR HOME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404426
75,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Exterior Lighting
HAD THE CAR 2 YEARS AND HAVE TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES. REPLACED WITHIN LAST 5 MONTHS AND NOW ARE OUT AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402859
39,404 miles · May 25, 2011
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS (LOW BEAM), TAIL LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT EVERY TWO TO THREE MONTHS CONSISTENTLY. ALWAYS HAVE TO REPLACE WHICH IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT A DANGER TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. CAR IS A 2006 KIA SORENTO EX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402755
50,000 miles · May 19, 2011
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
EXTERIOR LIGHTS NEED TO BE REPLACED OFTEN, ALSO DOME LIGHT INSIDE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402078
98,601 miles · May 16, 2011
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
WHEN I TURN ON MY HEADLIGHTS, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE HAD TO TAKE OUT THE FUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH MY INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON. IT HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND I CANNOT SEEM TO GET IT RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401067
58,000 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Exterior LightingVisibility
HEADLIGHTS BLOWING ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE LOST THERE PARK POSITION AND WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF THEY STOP IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE AN…
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HEADLIGHTS BLOWING ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE LOST THERE PARK POSITION AND WHEN THEY ARE TURNED OFF THEY STOP IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR AS MINE AND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396973
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2011
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE (SO INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL IT HAS GONE THROUGH 3 BATTERIES SINCE 06), I HAVE HAD (AND CONTINUE) TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE DOME LIGHT HAS CEASED TO WORK AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM BUT …
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I HAVE A 2006 KIA SORENTO. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TWICE (SO INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL IT HAS GONE THROUGH 3 BATTERIES SINCE 06), I HAVE HAD (AND CONTINUE) TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN THE HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. THE DOME LIGHT HAS CEASED TO WORK AS WELL. I HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM BUT KIA IS NOT INTERESTED IN DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS LAST TIME, I DROVE TO MY DESTINATION AND ALL WAS WELL, THEN WHEN I CAME OUT TO DRIVE HOME..POOF, THE DRIVER LOW BEAM WAS OUT. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395268
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeats
2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2006. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, ECT. MY DOME LIGHT IS NOW BROKEN AND WONT TURN ON WHEN I OPEN THE DOORS. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS NOW WENT OUT. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT ITS ABOUT $1,300.00 TO FIX!…
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2006 KIA SORENTO. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2006. I HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, TURN LIGHTS, ECT. MY DOME LIGHT IS NOW BROKEN AND WONT TURN ON WHEN I OPEN THE DOORS. MOST IMPORTANTLY THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT MOTOR HAS NOW WENT OUT. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT ITS ABOUT $1,300.00 TO FIX!!!!!!! MY 4-WHEEL DRIVE GOES IN O.K. BUT I HAVE TO PLAY WITH IT TO GET IT OUT. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER HAD WATER DAMAGE OR BEEN RODE HARD. YET STILL PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10386630
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.
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