The contact owns a 2008 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The message "ESC OFF" was displayed. The contact stated that the headlights were inoperable. Additionally, the engine had overheated, causing an electrical short and battery failure. The battery was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was restarted and driven at 25 MPH; however, the failure recurred. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and remained on the side of the road. The contact stated that several mechanics had previously diagnosed the vehicle with electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Kia Sedona headlights problems
110 of the 2,417 owner complaints about the Kia Sedona describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 110
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 64,000
By model year
Often reported together
Fire or smoke 5Airbag light 5Wipers 4ABS 4Stalling 3Door locks 3Grinding brakes 3Loss of power 2
What owners say
Low Head Lights do not work. High beams and fog lights work. This seams to be a KIA problem across makes and models. Why has a recall not been issued?
Headlight don't turn on even with new bulbs. Break light fill with water and stop working.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night going downhill, the headlights to the vehicle shut off inadvertently and the contact to almost struck a pedestrian. The contact stated that the vehicle struck a curb, and he became disoriented. The air bags had not deployed. A Police report was filed by the Sacramento Police Department. The contact later sought medical attention with their primary care physician. The contact also stated that the rear driver’s side sliding door failed to lock or unlock. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was not able to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Since the same year I bought my 2017 kia Sedona L which was [XXX], from Orlando Kia North, Longwood florida; I have been having an electrical safety issue. The wipers turn on by themselves front and rear and I can't turn them off. In addition to this problem I've been having for almost 5 years now, the highbeam will also at different times do the same thing, turn on by itself. My headlights have also turned off on one or two occasions as well. In around August of 2019 I first took my vehicle in with the complaint and several times afterwards. The first 2 times they couldn't duplicate the issue so nothing was done. After that they said they found a short and replaced the clock spring then after that it was a short in the multifunction switch. Neither of these replacements have resolved the issue. I believe the owner before me had the same problem and this is the reason why they traded the vehicle and Kia never fixed the problem and just resold it as is, without notifying me of the issue. Also in this time period I started noticing water getting into the rear gate. On [XXX] the grommet was replaced, I took it back again and the washer line was replaced. Til today I still have the same problem. I gave up hope with Kia after speaking to supervisors and managers, I called their headquarters spoke with Melissa Hyatt I was given a case # which I still have on file, but all she did was redirect me back to the dealership. I also filed a complaint with you (the federal safety agency) and still have my complaint # 11337324 within my files, but didn't receive any response. I am still paying for this vehicle and would love some assistance with my safety problems that many others seem to be dealing with as I have noticed the same complaint for this same vehicle have been submitted. Look forward to hearing from someone soon. Thank you and sorry for such the long explanation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving 40–45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights became inoperable. The contact also stated that the oil level was low after checking the dipstick. The driver's side window was stuck in the down position. The contact depressed the window button, but the window failed to roll up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was a leak in the trans axle boot, and the 02 sensor and trans axle boot were replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the headlights and taillights needed to be replaced. The dealer performed an oil pressure test, which indicated that the oil level was a 1/2 quart low. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that there was water inside the headlight housing. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, and the contact was informed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, but there was no additional assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
The component that is failing in the Kia is the headlighs. It has been inspected by Kia of Orange Park and is determined to need replacement of left and right headlight assemblies. It is available for further inspection but Kia wants more money than I can afford to fix it, so I will be finding another mechanic soon. While traveling home with five others after dark the headlights just went out on a very dark highway. Before we could safely pull over they came back on. We proceeded to continue home and the lights randomly went completely out and back on again for the entire journey. I have not driven the Kia at night since. With the grace of God there was no accident so the police and insurance agency were not involved; only the Kia dealer thus far has inspected the kia. There is an attached report. There were no warning lights, lamps or messages, or symptoms prior to this headlight failure. This happened on Mother's Day 2023. I have no assessment of the cause, with the exception of a full diagnostic of the vehicle which I have paid Kia of Orange Park for, in full. A report is attached or available from the dealership. I am adamant that this issue is a serious, life threatening issue that left six people in terrorized silence for a shaky forty five minute ride home. I am grateful that none of the passengers or anybody in any other vehicle were hurt or injured and I will not stop until a full national recall is made on this problem.
While driving at night the HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF without cause or warning spotaneiusly. This is a great safety risk to all, lights turning off while driving on a dark road puts me and those around me in danger. This issue has not been confirmed but i did notice on the web that this is not an isolated incident others have experienced lights turning off at night as well. Vehicle is still in my possession.
Headlights will shut off while driving. This sometimes will occur on its own, other times, it appears to be caused when using the turn signal lever. The lights will come back on by touching/moving the lever. This is dangerous and could lead to an accident.
The headlights are auto leveling based on load. Although there is no load in my vehicle the headlights do not shine out very far in front of the vehicle. There is a very distinct cut off line on the road. There is no way of adjusting them. This is very dangerous because you cannot see whats ahead of the vehicle in the dark. The attached photo is the headlights shining on my garage door.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Recall number 13V114000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Huyndai-kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
- Risk
- Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 17, 2009. Owners may contact kia's consumer assistance center at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 09V130000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sedona headlights
Which Kia Sedona years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (31 complaints), 2016 (24 complaints) and 2015 (12 complaints).
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