IllustrationHeadlights , all front lights shut off while driving, repeatedly.
2018 Kia Sorento
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Sorento do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 242.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sorento years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
1125–50K
1550–75K
875–100K
8100–150K
2150K+
69 reports with mileage · 184 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports11 fire reports10 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
41 reportsHaving intermittent issues with the headlights turning of while driving at night. The headlights were set on "Auto". I have had this happen multiple times! Went to local dealer to report the problem & was told that they would have to drive it at night to replicate the issue. I asked if I would be charged for this & was told t…
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Having intermittent issues with the headlights turning of while driving at night. The headlights were set on "Auto". I have had this happen multiple times! Went to local dealer to report the problem & was told that they would have to drive it at night to replicate the issue. I asked if I would be charged for this & was told that if the technician could find anything that I would be charged for the technician's time. I found online that Kia had this same issue with 2015-2015 K900 vehicles & issued a recall to replace the multi-functional light switch. Losing headlight rumination can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Kia dealerships should replace this multi-function switch free of charge to the owners of Kia vehicles. There should be a recall issued for this issue because it is a huge safety issue.
Headlights completely turn off on their own at random times at night. Has happened twice when entering into a curve at night. I have to frantically turn the knob off and then back on to make them function again. Extremely dangerous! Took into Bulldog Kia Athens Ga. They "verified concern, found open short in multifunction switch…
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Headlights completely turn off on their own at random times at night. Has happened twice when entering into a curve at night. I have to frantically turn the knob off and then back on to make them function again. Extremely dangerous! Took into Bulldog Kia Athens Ga. They "verified concern, found open short in multifunction switch" Kia will not cover the cost of repair. Total needed to repair $495.78
THE RIGHT HEAD LIGHT JUST STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE TO OPEN THE HEAD LIGHT CASING AND PLAY WITH THE CABLES TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. ALSO THE POWER SEATS DON'T WORK.
2018 KIA SORRENTO - LIGHTS HAVE SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING IN VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS (INTERSTATE/CITY STREET/ETC.). CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A SINGLE TRIP (TWICE YESTERDAY AND FOUR TIMES LAST WEEK ALL WITHIN ONE TRIP). CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHICH IS FRUSTRATING AS DEALER …
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2018 KIA SORRENTO - LIGHTS HAVE SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS INTERMITTENTLY DRIVING IN VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS (INTERSTATE/CITY STREET/ETC.). CAN HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES DURING A SINGLE TRIP (TWICE YESTERDAY AND FOUR TIMES LAST WEEK ALL WITHIN ONE TRIP). CAN GO DAYS WITHOUT IT HAPPENING WHICH IS FRUSTRATING AS DEALER "NEEDS TO SEE THE ISSUE TO FIX IT". OBSERVING IT IN BOTH NIGHT AND DAY. OBVIOUSLY MORE DANGEROUS DURING NIGHT. I HAVE VIDEOS FROM OTHERS THAT REPLACED THE LIGHT STALK SWITCH WITH SUCCESS. DEALER REFUSES TO DO THIS WHILE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE CONCERN. THEY RECOMMEND THAT I CONTINUE DRIVING AND BRING IT IN "IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN". THEY CHARGE ME 150 DOLLARS EACH TIME I BRING IT IN TO TELL ME "THEY CAN'T REPRODUCE IT". I AM SEEING MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON FORUMS FOR THIS ISSUE. VIDEO FROM ANOTHER CUSTOMER (START AT 56 SECONDS): HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TXG9CJ076HA
HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. SERVICE ON 3-23-20 AND COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON 9-25-20 DRIVING AND DASH BOARD INDICATOR SWITCHING FROM FLASHERS ON, HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM AUTO SET, TO OFF, TO RUNNING LIGHTS, AND DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR 10-20-20, BUT WAS TOLD IF T…
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HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS. SERVICE ON 3-23-20 AND COULD DUPLICATE PROBLEM. ON 9-25-20 DRIVING AND DASH BOARD INDICATOR SWITCHING FROM FLASHERS ON, HEADLIGHTS GOING FROM AUTO SET, TO OFF, TO RUNNING LIGHTS, AND DOOR LOCKS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. SCHEDULED SERVICE FOR 10-20-20, BUT WAS TOLD IF THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR.
7/23/20 20:30, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY STREET, JUST BEGAN DRIVING FROM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, AND THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, MY WIFE ROTATED THE LIGHTS SWITCH TO OFF THEN BACK TO AUTO AND THEY CAME BACK ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST…
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7/23/20 20:30, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY STREET, JUST BEGAN DRIVING FROM STOPPING AT A LIGHT, AND THE HEADLIGHTS TURNED OFF BY THEMSELVES. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, MY WIFE ROTATED THE LIGHTS SWITCH TO OFF THEN BACK TO AUTO AND THEY CAME BACK ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2019.
THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 KIA SORENTO RANDOMLY TURN OFF. IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. IT HAPPENS BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTO. ALTHOUGH THE EVEN APPEARS TO BE RANDOM, IT IS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS HAPPED WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS AS WELL AS MAJOR HIGHWAYS. IN ORDER FO…
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THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2018 KIA SORENTO RANDOMLY TURN OFF. IT'S HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS. IT HAPPENS BOTH DAY AND NIGHT. THE LIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTO. ALTHOUGH THE EVEN APPEARS TO BE RANDOM, IT IS WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND HAS HAPPED WHILE DRIVING IN PARKING LOTS AS WELL AS MAJOR HIGHWAYS. IN ORDER FOR THE LIGHTS TO COME BACK ON, I HAVE TO USE TURN THE KNOB TO OFF THEN BACK ON. WHEN THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AT NIGHT I CAN NOT SEE ANYTHING AROUND ME NOR CAN ANYONE ELSE SEE ME. I DID CONTACT KIA AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM.
CAR HEADLAMPS SHUT OFF WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION, FIRST NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT AS LIGHTS WERE IN AUTO SETTING AND THE DASHBOARD SHOWS THE LIGHT SETTING CHANGE AND THE LIGHTS OUTSIDE CHANGING AS WELL WITH NOTHING BEING TOUCHED. LIGHTS HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENT CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN NEEDING TO USE THE HEATER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AS THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY ON THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER (BEV SMITH KIA, 5655 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, 1-(772) 465-858…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENT CONTROL FUNCTIONS FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN NEEDING TO USE THE HEATER. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE AS THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY ON THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER (BEV SMITH KIA, 5655 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, 1-(772) 465-8589) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE DEALER TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE IF THERE WAS NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Official recalls
322V703000 · Trailer Hitches
Sep 19, 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.
18V656000 · Steering:column; Steering:electric Power Assist System
Sep 21, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
Steering:column
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The cowl crossbar that connects to the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) steering column may be improperly welded, allowing the steering column to separate.
Consequence: If the steering column separates, it can cause a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the cowl crossbar, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC167.
17V784000 · Air Bags:side/window
Dec 8, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Sorento vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC159.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.