Check a VIN

2007 Kia Sportage lights problems

12 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 68,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
68,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Brake lights: switch
    2
  • Headlights
    1
  • Brake lights
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Sportage lights problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202025

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 1, 2013 · 980,377 vehicles affected
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: switchReported April 17, 2009 · 139,844 vehicles affected
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

What 2007 Kia Sportage owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 23, 2023 · Lights · FL

The stop lamp switch was recalled & mine was replaced in 2010, but the part they replaced it with was faulty also and I’ve been driving without brake lights for years without knowing it. Then when I contacted KIA escalated customer “service,” they double-talked and gaslit me.

Filed Nov 30, 2016 · Lights · 68,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. The contact stated that the headlights were extremely dim. The lights had to be placed in a high beam setting in order to see anything. The contact mentioned that the failure was a very serious safety concern because the visibility was impaired while operating the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the light bulb wattage needed to be increased and replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Lights · 100,000 miles · AL

Takata recall; can pull car into park or drive without applying brake. Took to pelham kia to be fixed due to recall but they never fixed it. Desperately need fixed.

Filed Jul 23, 2015 · Brakes, Lights · 60,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the rear brake light failed to illuminate without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v114000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the bulbs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired twice, however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Mar 5, 2014 · Airbags, Lights · VA

My kia sportage air bag light on the driver side won't come on for a few seconds. It won't come on at all. I have read other people complaints about their air bag light. There is a problem and it needs to be recalled. Kia dealership need to stop putting it on the owners expense. My husband spoke to someone at the kia dealership concerning the air bag light and he was told they need to put it on a machine to analyst the problem. I'm sure they already know about this problem ? To analyst it is going to cost us some money. Why ???

Filed Nov 7, 2012 · Lights · 49,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. The contact stated that the while driving 40 MPH, the cruise control failed. The contact stated that she attempted to turn the cruise control on but it would not activate and the electronic stability control light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v130000 (exterior lighting:brake lights:switch). The failure mileage was 49,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2012 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MO

Hi! I just took my 2007 kia sportage in for an oil change today, july 14, 2012 and initially thought that my tail lights were burnt out. The mechanic stated that my vehicle's brake lights were not working at all. After researching the internet, I found out that kia recalled 2007 sportage in 2009 because of external break lighting issues. I was not notified of this recall by the kia dealer whatsoever and have driven this car for three years. I am completely beside myself that I drove a car for three years with a major safety recall. At this point, I cannot afford a new car so I do not know what to do. I guess I should consider myself lucky to be alive. I have to submit this complaint because it is not right to keep this information from consumers. It is negligent and irresponsible to sell a car to someone if it has a safety recall and not to notify or warn them about it.

Filed Feb 6, 2012 · Lights · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 kia sportage. The contact stated that the interior escape light was inoperable. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v130000 (exterior lighting: brake light switch) but the manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 50,000. Updated 03/05/12*lj updated 03/08/12 updated 06/19/12.

Filed Dec 7, 2011 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 11,185 miles · IA

Vehicle has been to kia dealership 3 times for ESC light staying on. First time they said it was ok, next 2 times the switch was replaced. Works for a while then malfunctions again. Esc light stays on, cruise will not work, and sometimes the brake lights will stay on. Vehicle now has 71000 miles and light is still on. After researching the web, located a recall on this similar problem, 09v130000 is the number. Called kia customer service and they said this VIN # is not in the recall, yet its the same exact complaint as the recall. Recall said it can lead to a crash. Any help would be appreciated.

Filed Aug 29, 2011 · Driver assistance, Lights · 70,000 miles · VA

My complaint is with kia motors america. They were required to issue a recall on the 'stop lamp switch' in 2009 for certain kia models including my 2007 kia sportage. I had my vehicle serviced in june of 2009 for this issue. Since then the "warranty" expired on the part and it is now broken again (I have no functional brake lights). The dealer indicated that they must charge me the full $160.00 to fix it. However, there is a back order on the part, so I cannot drive my car legally for at least a week until the part comes in. This is concerning, why is the stop lamp switch continuing to fail? Obviously since the part is on back order there seems to be a bigger problem - the recall seems to have failed! I contacted kia motors directly to see if they would help. The responded absolutely not, it was my problem because it is out of warranty. I would have to incur the expense. How do I know once it's fixed it won't happen again. There seems to be multiple safety concerns: 1) driving with no brake lights and being unaware; 2) the ESC malfunction causes the cruise control to fail/not shut of when you press the brake. I am concerned that peoples safety is at risk.

Questions about the 2007 Kia Sportage lights

Does the 2007 Kia Sportage have lights problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the lights of the 2007 Kia Sportage, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2007 Kia Sportage lights problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 68,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2007 Kia Sportage lights?

Yes, 2 recalls: 13V114000, 09V130000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia Sportage have the most lights problems?

The Kia Sportage model years with the most lights complaints are 2017 (15 complaints), 2007 (12 complaints) and 2011 (12 complaints).

Other 2007 Kia Sportage problems

Airbags 13Electrical 13Brakes 12Driver assistance 11Engine 10Steering 10Acceleration 7Seat belts 5Body 4Transmission 3Fuel system 2Suspension 2Tires 2Locks 1Seats 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2007 Kia Sportage?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history