2012 Kia Sorento: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Lights · OH

The low-beam headlights frequently burn out, approximately every 6 months. Upon inspection by multiple repair shops, the wiring harnesses have been found to be blowing the bulb yet each shop has replaced with a variety of parts. The suspicion is the wiring and power source are causing issues. Each side of the vehicle has had the wiring harness replaced with the right side being replaced twice and currently in need of a third replacement. The initial replacement was in 2018 and most recent replacement was 2023. The headlight will flicker on and off intermittently before the bulb or wiring harness blow. There is no predicting when this will occur which leaves the driver at risk of losing one or both headlights, needing immediate repair for safety and to avoid a potential ticket from the police.

Filed May 20, 2024 · Electrical · OH

Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: The electrical problem started with battery power drainage. After two battery replacements, other electrical problems started to occur. Turn signal lights would not work, windows would not open or close, the left headlamp failed, was replaced, but did not work, all warning lights stayed on. Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: The various electrical failures first occurred while driving the vehicle. I was inable to signal to change lanes. Q: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A: No. Q:Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A: Yes. Before the battery drainage issue ocurred, the check engine light and ABS indicator lights began staying on all the time.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical · NC

Kia america, inc. Submitted a safety recall report on september 25, 2023, (the federal safety agency recall #23v‑652) detailing the risk of an engine compartment fire due to an electrical short circuit of the hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu). I was notified on november 14, 2023, that my vehicle was subject to this recall and that I would be notified again when the remedy part (a new fuse) was available. Kia is recommending afffected owners park their vehicle outside and away from structures and other vehicles until the remedy part has been installed. This long-term exposure to the elements is causing undue wear and tear on various parts of my vehicle including paint, tires and headlights. It has been 5 months since I was made aware of the recall and nearly 7 months since the federal safety agency was made aware and the remedy part is still not available. I believe kia has exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy and that is why I am filing this complaint.

Filed Oct 11, 2022 · Lights · 133,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the front headlights had begun to flicker and then would turn off while driving at night. The contact stated that the failure had started as an intermittent failure, however, the low beam setting had failed and no longer worked. The contact only had high beams. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had opened the hood during daylight and saw that the headlight wiring harness and connectors had melted on the driver's side. The contact stated that she could touch the passenger side lamp harness and the light would work. However, if she attempted to tighten the harness connection the light would not work. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2022 · Lights · SC

My headlight are so dim at night I have to drive with my high beams on. I've cleaned and replaced bulbs and they are still very dim.

Filed May 23, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · GA

Replaced the headlight bulbs in my wife's car around 80k miles when 2 of the 4 bulbs went out. I noticed the lenses were discolored from the inside slightly but didn't put much thought into it. The vehicle now has a little over 144k miles and I have replaced the high beam bulbs once again, and the low beam bulbs twice more, and the low beam bulbs I have had to replace the connector due to burning on both sides, and the driver side is burnt out again. This shouldn't happen and means there is too much power going to the bulb, which is a fire hazard as well as a safety hazard as I can't keep a bulb working in that slot.

Filed May 20, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · OH

My passenger headlight went out again. I've taken to the dealer. They replaced the burnt out fog lights too. This is the 4th time in less than a year! I filed previous complaints. Had the headlights replaced repeatedly. Something keeps shorting out. There's an electrical problem. I can't keep replacing my headlights all the time. When the one side goes out, the other follows. This is becoming a real safety issue.

Filed Dec 26, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · IL

The passenger low beam head light keeps burning out. I have had the wiring replaced twice because it keeps melting. The brake light blow at least every 2 months

Filed Dec 23, 2021 · Lights · 147,000 miles · OH · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact noticed that the driver’s side headlamp failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring had melted, and the headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, a couple of months later the failure recurred on the passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where it was diagnosed the wiring melted and the passenger’s side headlamp socket needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted twice. The manufacturer was notified of the failure twice. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Headlight has replaced once 02/22/2022.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · MA

Passenger side low beam headlight keeps burning out. Had bulb replaced one month ago, burnt out again. Had it replaced several times. One time recently the mechanic had to also replace the wiring connections because it melted.

Filed Nov 18, 2021 · Lights · MO

Both of my headlights went out as I was driving down the road. I did not have any type of warning light on my dash come on.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Lights · TX

Low beam headlights on passenger side burn out at a rate of 1 to 2 per year. I am the original owner and the vehicle has never been in an accident. Dealer replaced headlight wiring and high beam switch on steering column under warranty because plug at headlamp melted and switch seemed faulty. This repair was approximately 4 years ago. Headlights burning out has been a problem since new. Seems to happen most often when High beams are used and going back to low beams. Inspect at any time. Living in rural Texas with little to no street lights it can be unnerving to have the low beam on one side unexpectant burn out. I write all of this because it burned out again last night and it's getting frustrating.