10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 28,901 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I've seen a few reviews and complaints on how Kia's (Sorento's in particular) have been losing their headlights for no reason. This has also happened to me, but just on my driver side fortunately. The main bulb is not illuminating and will not come on. I changed the bulb and this did not fix the problem. I looked at the old bulb I replaced and it was fine, nothing was shot or burnt out. I have seen a couple of people saying this could be a connector problem which in fact has nothing to do with the bulb itself. Seeing that this can come up spontaneously worries me and a lot of other drivers on the road who would need to travel at night. This should be addressed by Kia and be made a recall due to the fact this happens on practically newer vehicles (my mileage is 31000) I will refrain from keeping my lights on the "auto" setting (which will be a waste of money now) since the problem may occur from having the lights on this setting. I have not gotten the problem fixed due to how much it would cost (replacing the entire light fixture ~ $600) and this not covered by their warranty either (another waste of money if purchased) I will be reconsidering my choice with Kia come next auto purchase.
- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
My outer light bulb from the passenger side to the main lights is off. I took it to auto zone to buy a new bulb but when they checked it and moved the bulb a bit it turned on. Tech said it's not the bulb but the connector. That they're usually melting not connecting correctly. Ending frying the whole front lights. That it keeps occuring.. I checked for any recalls on my vehicle and none.
- Katy, TX, USA
Vehicle will accelerate and then lose power. Took it in they said not covered under warranty. $450 to fix tailghts and headlights all went out within a week of each other. Wheels sensors keep saying low tires even after new tires out on.
- Jackson, MI, USA
While the vehicle is in motion, on both city streets and interstates, and at both low or higher speeds the vehicle's headlights, tail lights and other lighting will turn off on their own. This is extremely dangerous specifically after sunset when it is completely dark. I took the vehicle for repair at my local Kia dealer for service and they said there is an "open circuit in ipm (fuse block)." I think this should be a mandatory recall to rectify the situation and make all the vehicles safe for my family, myself and for other drivers and passengers on the road who could end up in an accident due to this issue.
- Eldridge, IA, USA
Headlights cutting off randomly while driving at night. Took to Kia dealer and they said it was a faulty light switch located in the steering column. It was replaced. One week later, it happened again while wife was driving, the local dealership who did the original repair could not get it in to look at for 2 weeks. This morning wife was driving to work in the dark, when headlights went out again, this time the dash lights also went out. This is a very dangerous situation that needs to be corrected asap.
- Swanton, OH, USA
While driving at night while my headlights are in auto position they will randomly turn off for a few seconds and then click back on. This has happened twice in one week. The last time, was while driving 70 mph down the interstate and my headlights went out without warning.
- Orono, ME, USA
Multiple times I will be driving along, and at either a slow speed or stopped at a light, the car will just shut off. This is not safe! also 2 times the exterior lights have not come on in the dark even if you turn them on yourself nothing comes on and its been dark driving when that's happened! I'm worried for the safety of myself and children in this car, and the dealership and service dept do not find anything wrong with the car. But in looking online a lot of people have this complaint as well! if this happened to me at a high speed or driving on the interstate that could cause an accident and injur people! please help!
- Union, ME, USA
The vechile keeps turning off and installs when driving but now it got to the point that it turns off nd dosent want to starts until minutes later do to that one of the the headligths when off nd thye charging ports of the vechile ddont work. When U stop it seems that the truck wants to accelerate it self
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the driver side low beam headlights and the rear driver side brake light failed to operate. The contact stated that the low beam headlights and rear driver side brake light illuminated on an intermittent basis. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 59,800.
- Oakville, WA, USA
Both head lights went out, simultaneously, while driving on a dark road. Needless to say, scared the [xxx] out of me. High beams still worked which saved me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Tobyhanna, PA, USA
Xenon hid headlights auto adjusting, driving down hills the low beam headlights drop sharply to about 27 ft. In front of vehicle. Drove the vehicle with the service manager, frank petrozzi of grieco Kia of johnston ri and district manager, barry zoll from Kia motors America 732-372-8295 at night.11/8/2017, so they could see what is happening. I feel that this is very dangerous condition. They tell me that this is the way they are supposed to work, and are working according to specifications and there is nothing that they can do to correct it. Today I received a call from Mr. Trevor my case manager from Kia 800-333-4542. My case # 12462124. Mr. Trevor was sorry that he can not do anything because the lights are working as specification and they do not have a solution to the problem. The new Kia sxl Sorento's have new headlights, but will not fit in my vehicle. I feel that this is a safety issue that Kia should correct. I have been trying to get this issue corrected, thru Kia motors, since July 26,2017
- Sutton, MA, USA
While driving on both city streets and highways, headlights turn on in daylight (with bright sky on different times of day) and stay on while on auto with clear and unobstructed dashboard light sensors. This happens randomly and I haven't been able to determine a possible cause or find any recurring conditions that may trigger this. I took the car as well as a video of the issue to the local Kia dealer (horne Kia, gilbert, AZ) and they were unable to identify the problem. They said they tested the light sensors and they are working fine. I noticed the issue for the first time at around 15,000 miles but I didn't pay too much attention to it. At 20,000 miles, I made a video of this issue for my records (available upon request). The car has almost 40.000 miles now and the issue persists. Thanks!
- Queen Creek, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. While driving various speeds, the head lamps flickered and turned off without warning. The contact was given a loaner vehicle to drive, but the same failure occurred. The manufacturer was notified, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The failure mileage was 10,000. Updated 05/16/17 updated 09/07/2017
- Monett, MO, USA
No accident or any such thing has happened yet but I think something should be done about the headlights as they are too easily covered with mud while driving on wet roads. I was driving to another city 2 hours away and it got dark out and when I noticed I couldn't really see ahead of me very far and I know the headlights on this car are amazing. So I stopped and sure enough the headlights were all covered with spatter from other vehicles tires splashing the wet road up onto them. Finally after clearin the mud off of the headlights I could see again far in front of me. But not even 30 minutes later did I have to stop again to clear off the headlights so I could see in front of me.
- Kalispell, MT, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. While driving at 60 mph, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the low beam head lamps were activated, but the interior dome light, head lamps, rear lamps, and instrument panel failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose or repair the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Jena, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. While driving 65 mph with the high beams activated, the contact attempted to switch to the low beams and the headlights failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,604.
- Round Rock, TX, USA
- Deerfield, NH, USA