2012 Kia Sorento Exterior Lighting Problems
- 31
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 31 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- passenger side · 10 records
- wiring harness · 5 records
- side headlight · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 7 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Since i purchased this vehicle brand new in december 2011 i have had to replace the headlight wiring 4 times and have to change the headlight bulb at least once every 2-3 months. Each time i have had the wiring harness replaced after the third light bulb change the wiring harness begins to melt and then loses connection with the bulb therefor my headlights are intermittent.
ODI 11287945
Exterior Lighting
The rear break lights and running lights fail consistently. They have had to be replaced multiple times in the last few months. On occasion, the passenger side light powers back on after the rear housing has been moved. In incidents when the light has failed, there is a burn mark on the outer contact portion of the bulb. This affects all levels of driving as you can find yourself nearly invisible and give zero…
ODI 11256440
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving at any speed, the headlights went out intermittently without warning. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000. *tt the consumer stated the headlight was replaced. *tr
ODI 11242632
Exterior Lighting
Driver side headlight continually burns out. We have been told that the wiring in the head lamp is burnt out and the entire head lamp needs to be replaced. This seems to be a continual problem with this car.
ODI 11222295
Exterior Lighting
2012 kia sorento, had issue with the passenger side headlight blowing. Asked dealership to fix it. They said prongs needed to be spread. The light blew again. Took it back in and then they replaced the harness. They forgot to mention there was an issue and made it sound like they did me a favor fixing it for free. Fast forward a year and i start having the same issue with the brake lights. They tell me that they…
ODI 11255535
Exterior Lighting
Headlights so deteriorated that at night must run high beam just to see road.
ODI 11190953
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact stated that both headlights failed to remain in their headlight sockets. The headlights were loose and hanging off the front end of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact's wife took the vehicle to be serviced at an independent mechanic and was informed that the entire front headlight component needed to be replaced to repair the…
ODI 11246672
Exterior Lighting
Headlights and brake lights have been replaced multiple times. The lights will work one minute and then the next they won't. Often times, we've had to pull over, lift the hood, mess with the wiring and then it will work for either 3 minutes or 30 minutes. Each time we take it to the dealership, they want to run a diagnostic test with a fee and then charge a fee to repair.
ODI 11129412
Exterior Lighting
Headlamp out and upon inspection the passenger side low beam headlight socket melted. Seems to have been a failure of the socket as the wiring checked out fine. Had to replace with new socket. This could have resulted in a vehicle fire.
ODI 11181005
Air Bags · Exterior Lighting
Srs, airbag module light on constantly replacing bulbs june 2018, 88kmikes airbag warning light came on and wont go out after several attempts at resetting. Dealer stated it is the airbag module, not covered under warranty and would cost $750-$800 to repair and reset
ODI 11118928
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
My front "low beam" head lamps go out frequently. It has happened at night on a dark road, with my children in the car. Extremely dangerous! I have just continued to buy new lights, replace & do over & over. Finally it no longer worked. I had it checked out & the connector and some wiring was melted. I paid to have this fixed, only to have it happen again 2 - 3 weeks later. I just had it fixed again, but am scared…
ODI 11098911
Exterior Lighting
My left headlight keeps going off and one. Replaced it and it flicker on and off. I have to mess with the headlight to come on every morning. Ugh,
ODI 11044942
Exterior Lighting
Headlight failure, repeated passenger side low beam failure followed by drivers side failure. Headlight connector melted & was half missing. Failure frequency increasing over time. We have tried different bulb manufactures but failure reoccurs within a few weeks of replacing regardless of manufacture
ODI 11040915
Exterior Lighting
The low beam headlights keep failing on my car. Numerous bulbs, lens, etc... And they blow within 2 days. So, we drive around with one bulb. Major safety issue that is widespread on these models, but they will not admit. We do not have $600 to $1000 to completely replace the entire wiring and assembly. For what i paid, i should not have to for an engineering/design flaw. The lack of concern kia has shown this…
ODI 11155270
Exterior Lighting
One headlight went out. I replaced both bulbs. It appears, when standing in front of my car, that the lights are on, but they are very dim. When i am driving, it is not lighting my path. My passengers have noticed, and oncoming traffic often flashes their lights at me. I need it fixed immediately, bc i drive uber/lyft for employment. I was driving in a dimly lit area, when i first noticed that i couldn't see well in…
ODI 11032087
Exterior Lighting
Issue with headlights and wiring ect. This has been an ongoing problem for owners with these vehicles for years. Not only is it expensive for the owners but could cause serious accidents. I don't understand when it is documented. Look at all the complaints why kia has not been made to correct the problem. Instead of letting them continue manufacturing vehicles with the same headlights. My low beam passenger side…
ODI 11030432
Body · Exterior Lighting · Seats
We are changing the 3rd head light on the drivers side in a month. We had a storm knocking out all street lights and it was hard to see..ansmd i keep getting pulled over. I feel like i need to carry a back up. Plus my plastic pos door panels detach and trap my kids in the car..we have to beat them down so so we can open doors. Oh and we had to cut the gas cover off cause it wouldnt open...and the seats wont go down…
ODI 11014162
Exterior Lighting
Issue #1: the lf headlight assembly on my vehicle even after being repaired and then replaced continues to stop working. In august 2017, my lf headlight started intermittently going out and by september 2017 failed permanently. I checked the light bulb which wasn't the issue and found that the connector to the bulb was burnt out with one of the prongs melted. I cut off the end and replaced it with a new socket (a…
ODI 11040118
Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. The contact stated that the front head light failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, cooper kia [redacted], yorkville ny, 13495, where it was diagnosed that the lighting housing unit melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under warranty and there…
Fire reported
ODI 11010794
Exterior Lighting
Front headlights continually short out i have replaced bulbs connector wire multiple
ODI 11122259
Exterior Lighting
A little after 100,000 miles, the low beam lights continuously went out. There was no rhyme or reason. I simply bought more lights and replaced them until one day i found the driver side connector had melted. I was able to buy a new harness and have it wired in. Then, about a year later, the passenger side connector looks like it is starting to come apart, with the low beam light failing about 50% of the time now -…
Fire reported
ODI 11131126
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia sorento. While driving approximately 60 mph, the passenger side low beam headlight failed. The contact had to switch to the high beams in order to get home. The same failure occurred three other times on the same side of the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was determined that the manufacturer utilized the wrong size wire. The vehicle has been at the…
ODI 10909762
Electronic Stability Control · Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes
Can not move shifter out of park when car is started. Can not shift car out of selected gear when motor is running. Esc lite is illuminated on dashboard and brake lites do not function when these defects occur. Symptons experienced are the same as described in nhtsa campaign 13v114000. Kia dealer replaced brake lite switch-says suv does not fall within population of vehicles identified under kia sc098 recall. I am…
ODI 10972331
Exterior Lighting
Have a 2012 sorento that constantly needs low beam headlights replaced because of a short that the service department can't figure out. I have found that shortly after replacing one bulb the other burns out within a week or less. I have replaced both at the same time and they will only last one month before burning out. I have a similar issue with the brake lights burning out as well. This is a huge safety issue and…
ODI 10956309
Exterior Lighting
Purchased new 2012 kia sorento sx 3.5 in may 2012. It now has 54k miles. I have had to replace headlight bulbs both sides on 3 occasions and high intensity driving lights (oem) 2 times each side. The last time 12/23/15 the dealer (langdale kia, valdosta ga) stated that the socket on the passenger side driving light was defective, causing the bulb to explode, and the intense heat and debris caused damage to the…
ODI 10811946
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2012 Kia Sorento.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.