Kia Sorento exterior lighting problems, 2016–2027
255 of the 3,754 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sorento 2016–2027 name the exterior lights (NHTSA’s “Exterior Lighting” heading — as ODI groups the complaints it receives). The loudest years: 2017 (125), 2016 (67), 2018 (41). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Sorento exterior lighting problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the exterior lights | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 22 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 41 | 16% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 125 | 15% | 36k | 18 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 67 | 5% | 49k | 18 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the exterior lights. Nothing here is a rate.
When the exterior lighting complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 17 · 2019: 25 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 47 · 2023: 38 · 2024: 37 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 7
Across the model years, half of the 95 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the exterior lighting problem between 25,000 and 68,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the exterior lights, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
While driving at night with the headlights in the auto mode, the headlights will periodically go off for 4 to 5 seconds before coming back on again. This has happened 10 times over the past 10 months.
Driving down the road my headlights have cut off on their own 5 times. I have to turn the auto of and put it on manual for them to work
While driving the car at night the lights will go off. While driving the car in bright daylight the car lights will turn on. The lights are in the "auto" mode. I have video of the daylight issue but not the night. Both corporate and dealership needs to replicate the problem before they can "just change parts".
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.
In the last month, I've started noticing issues with my headlights/icons. My lights are always set to auto in my 2018 kia sorento. First issue: when driving during the day, the dashboard will show the icon that appears when you turn on the lights manually.
What is on file about the exterior lights, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V006000 HighJan 13, 2025 · 74,469 vehicles
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Sorento, 2025 Sorento Hybrid, and 2025 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the Body Domain Control Unit (BDC) may cause a loss of low beam headlights and taillights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 25, 2026
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles.
- Jun 16, 2026
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Multifunction Switch Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY031) to repair the multifunction switch kn
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Sorento
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems
- engine problems
- electrical problems
- steering problems
- cruise control problems
Every system, every model year: Kia Sorento problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Sorento years have the most exterior lighting complaints?
2017, 125; 2016, 67; 2018, 41. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (16%).
Is there a recall for the exterior lights on the Kia Sorento?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 25V006000 (2025). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do exterior lighting problems show up on the Kia Sorento?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 38,097 miles across the model years; half of them between 25,000 and 68,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Exterior Lighting" heading cover?
The area of the vehicle ODI files the complaint under. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.