Head Lamps : Kia Sorento Common Electrical & Lights Problems

Kia Sorento Head Lamps

Kia Sorento Problem

102 Reports

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Model Years Affected: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011

Average Mileage: 77,111 mi (100 mi - 146,000 mi)

One or both head light bulbs may burn out prematurely requiring replacement. There have also been reports of other bulbs burning out often as well.

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento, 92,150 mi

Dome light does not work when opening the doors. Works fine using the overhead switch

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento, 82,000 mi

My headlight started burning out after I had had the vehicle 1 yr. I have now replaced them 4 times! And brake lights 3 times. Never have I had to do this with any used vehicle I have ever bought..............and with the Kia--I bought it new! Not a cheap fix either. The lights suddenly blow and you are driving in the dark. The brights can be switched on, but that is also dangerous. PLus law enforcement has stopped me on more than one occasion to give me a warning that my light is out. First one blows and then quickly the other goes. There has to be a problem with this that can be fixed!

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento, 85,000 mi

I have to replace my headlights and brake lights almost every month!! When each headlight cost you $14.00 each, it gets way too expensive!!

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janski, 2005 Kia Sorento

Rookie
I have a 2005 Kia Sorento. I have had a problem with my headlights since I have had my car which I bought new in 2005. I have taken it to the dealer in Valdosta GA several times to find out about it and they always say it's not a recall so they can't do anything about it. I have to replace headlights and taillights every 3 or 4 months. It is very expensive. My dome light hasn't worked in years and my check engine light stays on all the time. I know there is some kind of defect in the electrical system and it's been this way from the beginning. The 10 year/100,000.00 mile warrenty is about useless with this car. There has not been one thing since I have had the car that was covered under warrenty. I will never buy a Kia again and I certainly want ever use Kia in Valdosta GA again, they have the worst service I have ever seen. There favorite thing to say is "It's not covered under our warrenty!" That is supposedly there big selling point and it is worthless!
Everyone who is having the same trouble needs to complain so we can get this recalled and fixed. I wish I knew where to complian to that could make that happen. They don't really care in Valdosta whether you complain or not, there not going to do anything about it anyway.

Sick of buying headlights!

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento, 60,000 mi

have replaced headlights almost every 4 months.

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento

We bought it new and have replaced MANY headlight and stoplight bulbs, now the stoplights wont work at all even after replacing the switch, lighting has been a nightmare in this car

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento, 77,000 mi

I have to replace my headlamps usually every 2-3 months. They keep burning out

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento, 20,000 mi

The headlights would only last 3-4 months. I replaced them about four times and then took it to the dealer as my Sorento was still under warranty. They replaced the wiring harness to the headlights, I believe with one with more resistnce to reduce the voltage to the bulbs. No more problems.

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Visitor, 2004 Kia Sorento, 89,000 mi

REplace headlimp often also

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento, 144,000 mi

Have to change headlight every time the temperature fluctuates, both sides within a week of each other. Bought the car brand new and have had this problem since the beginning.

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Visitor, 2004 Kia Sorento, 60,000 mi

Fixed? keeps happening with nauseating regularity

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Visitor, 2006 Kia Sorento

My dims go out withing about a week or so of each other. Usually every month I'm replacing my dims. It's not fixed.

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Visitor, 2004 Kia Sorento, 80,000 mi

My lights burn out every 6 months! The bulb costs 16.00

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Visitor, 2004 Kia Sorento, 130,000 mi

I have replaced many lightbulbs front and rear

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento, 72,000 mi

head lamps always burn out after a few months as well as the tail lights.

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cubman69, 2003 Kia Sorento, 87,000 mi

Enthusiast
i have to change the head lamps about twice per year. the front dome lights stopped dont work.

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psncc, 2011 Kia Sorento, 60,000 mi

Rookie
Have had 3 low beam headlights blow over the past couple of months. Today the dealership told me that it was caused by a short in the headlamp assembly to the tune of a $400 part and about $250 labor. Not covered by the maximum wrap coverage extended warranty. Arghh! Have no choice but to have it fixed, but never will I buy another KIA.

FOLLOWUP: This is my note to the KIA: "This is in reference to case # K241D635. Thank you for returning my call after I sent the previous message. I have read many blog entries concerning the same type of problem that I have been experiencing with my Sorento. I do not appreciate being talked down to by the representative that I talked to when I returned the call. I am not, as I am sure most of the other people in the blogs are not, just a disgruntled customer. I was having a repeated real problem with my vehicle that is probably a defect that possibly should result in a recall. I bought a KIA in good faith that it would be a dependable vehicle and that you would stand behind the product. I even purchased an extended warranty that did not cover my problem. I usually use the dealer for any work that needs to be done on the vehicle, but when your headlight goes out and you get stopped by the sheriff at 5:30 am, and you work for 12 hours that day, the dealer is closed and you must stop by a parts store and purchase a new bulb. It wasn't that it wasn't a "KIA" bulb or that I didn't have it installed at the dealer that was the root of the problem -- that is pure BS. I ended up spending $650+ for the dealer to replace the headlight assembly to fix the problem - they stated it was a short in the headlight assembly. I told the representative that this disgruntled customer fixed the problem by selling the son of a bitch. I can assure you that I will never purchase another KIA. I just feel sorry for all the rest of the customers in the same predicament."

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento, 65,000 mi

I have lost count of how many times we have had to replace head lamps. It seems no sooner we replace one light the other side goes out.

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Visitor, 2008 Kia Sorento, 63,000 mi

Bulbs burn out... I have to replace about every three months. +(

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Visitor, 2005 Kia Sorento

headlight bulbs replaced about every year

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