2016 Kia Sorento: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Electrical · IN

My headlights flicker when the left turn signal is used. I have taken this vehicle to the dealership previously for headlight flickering issues. I have owned it since 2019. When the lights flicker at night driving at highway speeds, it is dangerous for me and other drivers around me. The Ray Skillman Kia dealer has confirmed these issues and offered fixes that have not lasted. the most recent flickering did not come with warnings or messages prior to malfunctioning.

Filed Jul 10, 2025 · Lights · TN

I have now replaced the headlight bulbs in my 2016 KIA Sorento 6 times and it's getting worse as it gets older. I believe it is a safety issue since the last time I was out of town, traveling in the middle of the night when it went out. I had to wait until morning to find an auto parts store to buy and replace the bulb. No inspections have been done by anyone. Yes, the warning lamp comes on and stays until reset.

Filed Feb 1, 2025 · Visibility · AR

Driver side headlight keeps going out. Bulb doesn’t blow and fuses are fine….take the bulb out and put back in and after a couple minutes light starts working again for a couple days before it goes back out. If you go to the passenger side and pull that one out the bulb is smoking.

Filed Oct 23, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · GA

I am having an issue with my Kia headlights when on dim. The lights are so dim I am afraid to drive the car at night because I am scared I will hit a person, animal or object. I am replacing light bulbs frequently. Cars are flashing their lights at me (when I need to drive at night) because of the dimness. I took my car to a Kia dealer and they could not diagnosis the problem. They advised to replace the entire headlight assembly with a cost of $2,600.00. I am on Social Security and can't afford to have the repair made. I have read a lot of complaints of other Kia lighting issues. I feel a recall should be made immediately due to the seriousness of the issue.

Filed Sep 22, 2024 · NC

Headlights turn off by themselves at night

Filed Aug 11, 2024 · Lights · FL

I own a 2016 Sorento SXL AWD and this issue just started. I work evening shift and get off at 11pm. I always have the lights set to "auto", while driving home on a rural road at night and the headlights switch off on their own. I have to manually switch the lights off and back to auto for them to come back on. Potentially dangerous situation and Kia should issue a recall. Can find any recall but have done research and find it is an on going issue seems be be a multi function switch.

Filed Aug 7, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · FL

My left headlamp always goes off. The lights go off all the time. I changed the bulb but its Not it. It the faulty light cable connections. I replace higher lights 12000k and the left light cable never stays on. Cause the left light cable is crap and never probably done. So i bought a lemon new off the lot

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Lights · WI

while driving at night the headlights will go out. it has done so several times in the past. it is very scary when it happens on the freeway. Also the brake lights, specifically the drivers side, will stop working about every 2 weeks or so. I replace it and shortly after, it will stop working.

Filed Jul 20, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · CT

The problem started after a quick stop at a convenient store on the way to work. After starting the engine the vehicle would not shift from park. I was able to bypass this after a quick Internet search by removing a small cover near the stick shut and a small straw to bypass the shift control. I've had the car twice at the mechanics without a diagnosis as to a possible cause and was able to have the mechanic permanently disabled the shift lock but was warned the vehicle could be shifted to drive or neutral at any time and moved with a key. About a month later I found myself without headlights and shortly after this without wiper controls. Another visit to my mechanic would this time show the problems, shift lock, headlights and wipers were all from a faulty PCM. My mechanic has shipped my PCM out twice for repair but both time only caused the replacement part to blow. It's not suggested they use the dealer to further repair the problem. I've been 3 weeks without my vehicle and it's another week before the earliest availability from my local dealer. I'm only hoping now it's not a long backorder to gets the parts necessary to fix my vehicle. I have also read this has been a common problem and costly repair with other 2016 Kia Sorento owners.

Filed May 6, 2024 · Engine · DE

6/23 the oil light started to flickering, in particular to coming to a stop or turning. This was even after just having an oil change the month before. I checked the oil & it was low already so, of course I put a couple quarts in. I continued to monitor my oil as this was happening. I did not see any oil leaking onto our driveway or from anywhere. I called our mechanic to schedule an appointment. By appointment day 7/17/23, the engine light came on. Mechanic could not perform a diagnostic until a software update was done by Kia. 8/16/23 Kia does software updates & takes care of any recalls. I returned to our mechanic 8/21/23 so he could now do the diagnostic test & make repairs. He replaced the intake manifold, valve cover gasket & changed the oil with new filter. 9/23/23 the oil light starts flickering again & oil is low. Called our mechanic & he asked us to monitor it another month. So, we added oil & the oil light stayed off for another month. 10/26/23 oil light is flickering AGAIN! On the phone AGAIN with our mechanic, who tells us he sees Kia has a "tab" on Sorento's burning oil. 11/14/23 diagnostic performed by my other mechanic who also previously worked at Kia. Diagnostic test shows #3 cyl misfire. 11/16/23 #3 cylinder ignition coil & spark plug replaced. 11/22/23 car starts riding rough. 11/25/23 diagnostic shows #1 cyl spark plug. 11/30/23 replaced remaining #1,2 & 4 cyl spark plugs. 1/10/24 I was driving on a 4 lane hgwy in traffic & the car suddenly went into limp mode & stalled. Luckily it started again & I was close to the exit. I was able to catch a break in traffic to get over as I could only go about 15 mph. 1/11/24 had the car towed to Kia after my mechanic ran a diagnostic & got p1326 knock sensor code. 1/12/24 Kia replaced the knock sensor, saying the car is good now. 2/4/24 car is riding rough. Mechanic changes remaining coils. 4/27/24 car goes into limp mode while going through an intersection. Dash & headlights remain on but won't start=tow

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Lights, Steering · KS

Issues with headlights turning off while I'm driving in the dark. Sometimes happens when I use turn signal other times just driving on a straight road in the dark country. Also transmission slips every so often but enough that passengers notice and want to know what is happening. Now car can not be shifted out of park even with foot on brake and steering will lock up and key can't be turned. Of course dealer says would cost over 1k to check it all out and even with 2 warranties nothing is covered. Please advise me what to do next. Lights have been doing this for at least 4 years. Can't remember on the trans issue for sure. Steering locking up about a year and just recently can't shift.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Lights · 152,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the headlamps became inoperable. The contact stated that the light switch was jiggled, and the lamps illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.