2014 Hyundai Sonata: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 21, 2025 · Electrical · 138,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was shaking and jumping, with the headlights flickering, and the steering wheel lost resistance, and became easier to maneuver. While turning the vehicle either to the left or the right, there was a vibrating sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. After the sound occurred, the contact noticed that after turning off the vehicle and then attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact manually moved the serpentine belt first to successfully start the vehicle. The exterior lights failed to illuminate intermittently. The air bag and battery failure warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the engine was replaced. After having the recall repair completed, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who then diagnosed the battery was malfunctioning due to a loosened terminal. The terminal was tightened up however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who tightened the terminal; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another certified mechanic who placed an aluminum piece to assist with securing the terminal. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2024 · Lights · TX

The turn signal stem assembly randomly begins failing after several years (approx 5 years). Issues will be noticed while driving in the dark. When turn signal is applied in both directions, occasionally headlights will turn off or flash causing interior lighting to change to brighter daylight settings at the same time. This can be disorienting for the driver as well as others on the road. To remedy the incorrect lighting situation, the driver needs to jiggle the turn signal stem assembly and normal lighting will resume. At subsequent turns, the entire situation repeats itself. Other drivers may believe they are being alerted to something or potentially angered, causing misunderstandings or altercations on the road. My original turn signal stem assembly was replaced after about 5 years due to this series of events. Now, after approximately 5 more years, the exact same symptoms have begun again with the authentic Hyundai OEM replacement parts.

Filed Oct 22, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · CA

Electrical system going out only at night because headlights and inside lights are turning off for a few seconds only while driving at night this has happened multiple times since august and is becoming a safety concern while driving at night it's a safety concern because this has happened incoming traffic on roads and highways. The vehicle hasn't been inspected by dealership I tried calling to get an appointment but was told there is a fee and if something electrical a may have a cost per hour to inspect. No warning lights are turning on prior to headlights and inside lights going out. During the day no issues with vehicle. I've read a few online posts from other owners with same issue.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · FL

when using the turn signals, either way, the headlights cut off. sometimes they flicker back on and sometimes they stay off.

Filed Oct 16, 2023 · Electrical · NC

When I am driving with my headlights on auto, every time I use my turn signal (and sometimes spontaneously) my headlights flicker. Sometimes it’s just for a second, but other times it has lasted more than 3 seconds which can be very dangerous while driving at night. It is also dangerous because other drivers may think I’m flashing my brights at them when im not. During this the dash will flicker as well. This has been happening since I got the car in 2018 so it’s not a battery issue.

Filed Jul 28, 2023 · Lights · IN

When head lights are in Auto mode occasionally all of the exterior and interior lights go out. Including dash lights. I cannot make it repeat at will so nothing ever gets done with it. There is no warning when it happens just complete darkness inside and out. Obviously I can’t see where I’m going when it happens they typically come back on after a few seconds. This has been happening for over 1 year. I don’t use the lights in auto anymore, it doesn’t happen when it’s not in auto.

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · KS

My tail lights, brake lights and head lights continue to go out. I have replaced them many times myself and have taken it to the Hyundai dealership. They temporarily fixed them but couldn’t promise how long they would work. They said to fix them would cost over 1000$. This is a safety hazard as not having brake lights could cause serious accidents. This doesn’t seem Normal as I have never In my entire time I have been driving had to continually replace lights. Sounds like a manufacturer defect and I feel like the dealership should have to pay, not out of my pocket. I have been pulled over by the police and have had to explain why my lights don’t work. It’s scary because I never know if they are working or not. I did not get any warnings on my dashboard that lights were out. I have also googled this problem and it seems like a lot of the same year of Hyundai vehicles are having the same issues.

Filed Jul 3, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · 186,073 miles · CA

Left driver side rear and front headlamps would burn out, after time noticed the left headlamp flickering 9n and off while driving at night in auto mode, also inside dash lights dimming, also left driver side seat will not adjust, this is a Hazzard for myself and others while driving at night, with lights malfunctioning, was pulled over by highway patrol, and given a warning to fix headlamp.Issue has not been inspected by anyone and the vehicle can be inspected upon request, no dash or warning lights have came on.

Filed Dec 12, 2022 · Lights · VA

Headlights need to be replaced every three months. Brake lights turnt out and melted the plastic around it. Had to replace the entire light unit. Now, the breaklight doesnt work at all. Even after replacing the entire light unit and bulbs.

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · NJ

At 1st, my tail light went out on my passenger side of the car. I tired to fix the problem with replacing the bulb. This went on for several times. It got to the point that the bulb wouldn’t fix the problem. I then replaced the wiring harness. That worked for a day or two then the light was back out. I even went back to the dealership and had then replace the wiring harness, I was thinking perhaps I had a defected one, still to no avail. I then paid the $170 diagnostic fee so the dealership could find the problem. Well, I was told the problem was beyond the tail light and it was more than likely needed to be traced throughout my car. The job was gonna be too time consuming and costly for that particular dealership and ultimately my money was returned. Throughout this crazy process I had contacted the Hyundai corporate office to report the problem and was dismissed. So, here’s the bigger picture. Once I started researching this problem more and more people were having the same problems as I. The light bulbs in the tail lights was burning so hot that it would burn out the bulb, the wires and the housing causing many people to replace bulbs and in some cases the whole unit. This what happened to the driver side of my car. The entire housing and wiring was not good and the whole thing had to be replaced. Hyundai has some serious electrical defects with the year and model of my car. They don’t want even acknowledge that there is a problem. Honestly, one of the employees explained to me how this was a known problem and how the company tried to fix it by making the socket thicker with the hopes of the bulb not burning out. This employee knew the the wiring harness was changed before to the new one the original one because of the color of it. So, clearly, it did not solve the problem. Now that my electrical issues existent beyond the tail light means my car could be at risk of fire at anytime. Last thing, my high beams don’t work now also.

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · ND

Having to replace headlights and brake lates every month, now rear passenger side light is completely out and will not come on after changing all bulbs and fuses, see this as a major safety issue, there are many complaints about this same issue and Hyundai is ignoring this safety issue

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · MS

Head Lights Go Out Completely at Highway Speed Headlight dimmer switch fails to switch between high and low beam. Lights can go completely out with zero viability during nighttime driving conditions. Speed of vehicle seems not to be a factor in the headlamp failures. May also fail to dim from high-beam to low-beam in the instant of oncoming traffic. Causes a great deal of distraction to safe driving as attention of diverted to fiddling with the headlight/turn signal switch stalk. Lights have sometimes gone completely out (dark) at highway speed in congested traffic conditions. Has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2015 with under 17,000 miles but the problem is getting progressively more frequent. I am concerned that in the future, I may not be able to get the head lamps to come back on, while I am at highway speed and no chance for a safe emergency exit of the roadway.