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2011 Kia Sorento lights complaints

Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 105, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2011 Kia Sorento lights problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Apr 20, 2018 · Airbags, Electrical · 96,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (jim ellis kia of kennesaw, 1221 auto park drive northwest, kennesaw, ga 30144) where it was diagnosed that the clockspring needed replacement. The contact stated that the clockspring was replaced, but was concerned that the air bag inflator was not also replaced. The contact was also concerned that the vehicle might have an electrical failure because the headlights failed to illuminate and the headlight bulbs had been replaced several times. The same dealer stated that the air bag warning indicator would remain illuminated because there was also a failure with the air bag sensor in the seats. The contact stated that the air bag sensor in the seats was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the cost of the air bag seat sensor replacement. The failure mileage was 96,000.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 126,000 miles · OH

Both low headlight bulbs have gone out many times. Despite being replaced, they continue not to work. The wiring seems to have a short in it because when it is wiggled the light comes on but goes right back out. The socket is very hot to touch and smells hot. I'm afraid the wiring will cause a fire. This has happened to both front low beam lights. Most recently today to the passenger side light. I currently have two non workable low lights

Filed Mar 23, 2018 · Body, Engine · 100,000 miles · TX

2011 kia sorento 116,000. Regularly maintained.the first problem was the driver side back door will not open from the outside, that happened about 6 months ago. Now, my driver side door won't open from the outside. In addition, recently my car has just shut off while driving; foot on the gas at it is not doing anything (no engine light). We park it, shut it off and restart and it will work fine for a while. There is some sort of acceleration problem. I can stop at stop sign and lightly increase my speed and it will tug like engine. No accidents. This is a huge safety concern with having 2 small children in the back seat. If I were in an accident, I would not be able to get my child out of the back. If I was in accident, someone couldn't help me or my children. This to me is very serious! Sept 2017 date of back door issue not opening from outside. 3/22/18 drivers door not opening from outside. Car shutting off and not working properly as been since about jan/2018. There is something wrong with headlights too. Since 1/2017, bulbs are good but they just work for a while and then one or the other stops working out of nowhere.

Filed Feb 17, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 130,000 miles · GA · fire

While returning from my aunts funeral in kansas, making my way to georgia. The car began to slow down and stop, on the highway. Then it cut off, wouldn't start or move. There was this whining and clanking sound, white smoke and fire shot out from under the car, as I was told by a person that was passing by, he stopped to make sure that I got out of the car. It just got to 130,000 miles. Had it towed to a shop and was told that the engine was gone.

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Airbags, Lights · 70,000 miles · FL

Purchased 2011 sorrento from dealer in 2011. Airbag light illuminated since 70k miles. Also, ABS light illuminated about one year ago - took in for ABS recall with set appointment and was turned away as dealer did not have 'the tool needed '' to perform recall that day. Also, dbc and ESC indicator light have been on for years. Finally, within first year of purchase gear shift would jam and not into park. Dealer instructed me over the telephone how to manipulate and fix which worked.

Filed Oct 18, 2017 · Lights · 80,000 miles · PA

Low beam headlights keep shorting out every couple months.

Filed Mar 7, 2017 · Lights · 57,898 miles · CT

My 2011 kia sorrento parking lights stopped working. Mechanic stated that wire harness had to be replaced from turn signal switch/inside steering column and down through to rear lights. He stated that the area was packed with dirt and debris even into the headlight assemble. Mechanic couldn't figure out why the area was so packed with dirt and water. Total repair cost $398.00

Filed Feb 3, 2017 · Brakes, Lights · 78,000 miles · AE

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. While attempting to open the passenger side door from outside the vehicle, the lock failed to open the door. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 156260000 (power train) and 13v114000 (service brakes, hydraulic, exterior lighting). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Lights · MO

I have had to replace the head lights on my vehicle long before they should have ever been needed to. In fact I literally just got it back from dealer today after they did recalls on the vehicle and the driver side is out, which was replaced by auto zone not even a month ago. The side blinker that is next to the headlight is also out now too. I'm not sure of they knocked something loose, but it was working this morning. However, now reading the other complaints about the headlights burning out too quickly, I'm starting to wonder.

Filed Nov 14, 2016 · Airbags, Lights · 115,000 miles · TX

I have had my 2011 kia sorento for 2 years now and at about 115k miles after starting the car the air bag indicator light came on and will not go off. After researching, it appears that this is a common problem. I suggest that kia looks into this and issues a recall since this is a obvious problem and I like others carry children as passengers and do not feel safe anymore and am looking into other auto manufacturers.

Filed Oct 2, 2016 · Lights · 89,624 miles · FL

Left low beem light is out in my car it is a new bulb.this is the 2nd time it has happened also the lights go out for no reasion I will be driving and they go out, I have to use the on and off lever flick it multipal times to get themto come back on I have taken it to dealler 4 times they cant find out why it dose it also last night for some resion my right door will not open from out side nor the driver side rear door is doing the same thing as of last night ?????????

Filed Sep 30, 2016 · Lights, Transmission · 95,000 miles · VA

Headlight low beam bulbs are burning out at the rate of one (1) to two (2) weeks. The left bulb burned out a couple of years ago. Approximately a month ago both of the low beam bulbs burned out at night when my wife was driving home from church. She almost wrecked before she turned the lights on high beam. Since then the left side bulb had burned out twice. I have replace these bulbs at a cost of approximately $15.00 each. I am afraid that the lights are going to go out when driving when it is not possible to change to high beam. The last bulb burned out just last night when it was dark.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Lights · 149,000 miles · PA

For the second time in the past 3 years, the passenger side low beam headlight socket has melted, making the low beam headlight non-functional. I do not use my low beams as daytime running lights and, after the first meltdown of the socket, I consciously tried to use the headlights sparingly. The manual references a 55 watt replacement bulb and that is what I am using. The auto parts store clerk also looked up the replacement bulb and guided me to the bulb I am using. I am concerned the melted socket could cause a fire and, therefore, I fear driving the vehicle at night, in the rain, or at any other time low beams are required. My mechanic thought it is a voltage problem. With a 6-year old vehicle and nearly 150,000 miles, I am reluctant to sink a large sum of money into repairs. Given this is the third time the sockets have melted (2x passenger side; 1x driver side), I believe this is a chronic issue that kia should address. A simple internet search reveals this problem is not an issue solely with my sorento, but is a more widespread problem.

Filed Aug 25, 2016 · Lights · 92,500 miles · FL

4 months ago, both low beam headlights burned out at the exact same time. I replaced both. This morning, the passenger side low beam headlight burned out. I will replace it this evening. 2011 kia sorento ex, v6, auto trans, no towing package.

Filed Jan 6, 2016 · Lights · 52,500 miles · IL

My car was out of warranty by 2 weeks. I had a problem with the headlights. I had the driver's side head lamp assembly replaced and then the passenger side went out due to a bulb issue it burnt out. I took the car to dealer and he said it was not a kia bulb. That is ridiculous. Bulbs are the same wattage. I took the car to my mechanic and he said that was stupid it should burn. He said the funny thing was the head beam light was burnt too and that was a kia bulb. There are more complaints on-line about this issue. This is a safety issue and needs to be taken care of.

Filed Dec 21, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 88,000 miles · AR · crash · 1 injury

Original owner '11 sorento 4cyl, awd w/tow package & approx 88k miles. Problem 1st noticed about 2 mos ago when seat belt light began flashing with audible clicking coming from relay behind dash. It was daytime when this happened 1st few times & I could not duplicate problem. This issue seemed to happen after starting car & would go away after a few moments of driving. Releasing & re-connecting seat belt had no effect. The 1st time it happened @ night I realized that the headlights & dash lights would flash on & off also. Still could not duplicate problem, but being a mechanic I watched for it to happen and tried different things to see if they had any effect on the issue. Always would begin after initially starting car, but not do it most times. Then 3 evenings ago, I found it happening every time I would start the car & would even do it afterwards driving down the road. I was 70 miles from home & tried to get back. It didn't matter whether the headlight switch was on, off or auto, it would still flash all lights & seatbelt light w/clicking from relay. On the way home, while driving a rural road, the lights again started blinking on & off causing me to hit a metal pole a drainage ditch thru farmer's fence into his field. Accident pushed metal bumper (behind bumper cover) back about 12", tore the entire front end &lights from car & bent hood back 1 1/2 feet and buckled it upward - all of this without ever deploying the airbag.these problems are prevalent in this car as I have read, but I now have a vehicle which despite it's damage will now duplicate the lights going on & off every time the car is turned on. Have contacted kia corp in hopes that they will want to use my car to get to the cause of this issue & finally correct it. As a mechanic I very well understand the need to be able to duplicate problem to find cause ..... Kia now has no excuse.

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · GA

The bulbs for the low beam headlights have been "burning out" at the rate of once a month. Last month, the entire assembly plugin to the bulb was melted due to "a poor contact" or short in the wiring". Unfortunately they said I need an entire headlight assembly (about a $400 part and $250 labor) as they won't just sell the connection plug. Frustrated I found a great mechanic who cut and spliced a new connection plug and it seems to be working. However the concern is that there is still a "short" in the wiring and will eventually do the same thing to the new plug. I have now had the same issue with the other side and am hoping that someone else has found the source of the problem. The other complaint is that this is not covered by the any warranty. There have been numerous complaints about this isse and I stillhave not seen a recall from kia. This is my 2nd kia and I am rethinking about buying another unless this issue is resolved.

Filed Nov 30, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 63,800 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorrento. The contact stated that when the interior light switch was in the auto position, the interior lighting would not turn off. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,800.

Filed Sep 20, 2015 · Lights · 75,100 miles · VA

Low beam headlights keep burning out.it in started aug of 2014. Frist one headlight than a month later the other side would go out. Changing the bulb seamed to fix the problem. Then the left headlight would turn off and than back on while driving. Then left light quit working all together six months ago. Right side bulb burns out every two month. Today no lights and when I went to change the bulb on the right side, the pigtail/ light socket was half melted. This seams to be a on going problem with this car. There is five other complaints on the site about this. This needs to be recalled and fixed before someone loses thier light at night and are hurt.

Filed Sep 2, 2015 · Lights · 105,000 miles · DE

This issue is ongoing and looking at the reports on this site, needs immediate recall considering the dealerships wants to charge over 500.00 to replace the headlight assembly. I have had my passenger low beam bulb replaced several times by the dealership. The wire connection is over heating. Now the passenger side is out. I can not afford these 1000.00 issue that apparently is wide spread. Kia needs to do the right thing and recall this asap. I am only driving during the day. Immediate attention is needed.

Filed Aug 18, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 65,750 miles · TX

While driving at night the headlights will go off then come back on after being off for approx 2 seconds. It also occurs sometimes when changing lanes and using the turn signals. I feel that it may be a defect in the turn signal headlight assembly switch on the steering column.

Filed Jul 29, 2015 · Lights · 54,000 miles · MI

Low beam headlight on passenger side went out. Repaired. One month later driver side low beam headlight went out. Repaired. Two weeks later passenger side low beam light went out. This time I examined the light, reinstalled same light, and it worked. Shortly after these incidents I stopped driving the vehicle for the summer, but it is clear that a problem exists. I doubt that the first two bulbs were actually burned out.

Filed Jun 2, 2015 · Lights · 80,000 miles · PA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 kia sorento. The contact stated that the low beam head lights failed to illuminate and the wires around both head lights melted. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The headlights were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed May 19, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 61,000 miles · CO

The interior dome light quit working took to a mechanic, he looked into the wiring harness and said that all the wires had melted together. This problem could affect all the electrical parts of the truck. Also of note is that the truck indicator light showing that the truck is open, even when its not. So far no fire has started. Cost to fix per the mechanic is over $1000, or more.

Filed Apr 6, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 80,000 miles · AZ

Vehicle has had repeated head light issues since purchase. Last visit to the dealer they are recommending changing out headlight assembly at an excessive cost. In researching this issue it seems that many consumers are having the same issue and needs to be recalled to fix.

Filed Feb 21, 2015 · Lights · 65,000 miles · CO

Passenger headlight works sometimes only. When I went to replace the headlight, the bulb started working again. Took the car to the dealer where it was purchased and was informed that the connector for the bulb had disintegrated. The entire headlight assembly was replaced. Less than 6 months later the connector and the wiring in the new part had too disintegrated. Leading up to the disintegration on the replacement, I would smell an electrical burning smell. Took it back to the dealership. I was told it was grounding out, but they could not tell from where. My concerns are 1. The area where wiring is failing may cause a fire. 2. While driving at night, the headlight/s may go out making it impossible for oncoming drivers to see my vehicle. Some of the areas where I drive are not well lit and/or reflectors are used as guidance along the road.

Filed Sep 2, 2014 · Lights · 21,000 miles · SC

From about a couple of months after I purchased the vehicle, I have had continuous headlight issues. It started with my driver's side headlight, so I replaced the bulb. Within 2 weeks my passenger light went out, so I replace that bulb as well. Since then the headlights have gone out 5 times on the driver's side and 4 times on the passenger side. I have replaced bulbs, wiring harnesses, and complete headlight assemblies. As of right now, I am without dim lights. I am forced to drive around with my bright lights on. I have received multiple warning citations for driving around with my bright lights on. After speaking with my mechanic today he warned me that the headlight wiring harnesses are completely burned through. With small children, I am constantly worried and afraid of a fire. I have spoken with kia multiple times and they aren't willing to do anything to help alleviate the problem.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Engine, Lights · VI

The vehicle would not start finally it started in the drive position , have been complaining to the dealer that the vehicle shifts on its own from drive to another position. In addition all the lights remain on in the dash board. Vehicle was taken out the repair shop on 8/25/14 and this problem was rectified. The airbag light is on now since 8/25/14.

Filed Jun 21, 2014 · Brakes, Lights · NJ

I purchased my 2011 kia sorento approximately 1 yr ago and my interior light in front over driver and passenger comes on and off during driving. This did it in the beginning then stopped, now it does it all the time with the illuminating door open sign on dash. They stay on much longer and happens more frequently. I'm afraid to drive with my grand children in car, not sure if safe anymore. Dealer never expressed at time of purchase that there where any recalls for this vehicle. Front makes noise everytime I place foot on brakes, people look over when I hit brakes. Not sure if this is a problem as well(recall). I am unemployed now for 15 months no money to fix these problems. Please let me know if these are part of any recalls. I purchased vehicle from sansone jr., route 66, neptune, nj. Thank you for your assistance.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Lights · 60,000 miles · TX

I experienced repeated headlamps bulbs burning out. I found the site repairpal.com and reported the problem. I no longer own this vehicle due to the issue, but receive alerts from repair pal when others report the problem. It continues -- I still receive alerts. I am glad I found this means to report the problem. Please investigate. It is a safety issue because you never know when it will happen. I was stopped by the police once and given a warning. The following is what I wrote on repairpal.com. The link to this site is: http://repairpal.com/head-lamps-057 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 # [xxx]. Thank you for returning my call after I sent the previous message... Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

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