2017 Kia Sportage: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Electrical, Steering · IN

While driving on the highway, vehicle lost all electrical power. The engine stayed running, but I lost use of anything electrical including the power steering, headlights, and dashboard functions. Vehicle power resumed after about a minute and we made it home, but the vehicle would not start after this. After calling our KIA dealership they advised taking the vehicle in immediately via tow. After looking through the vehicle, it was found that a fuse inside of the battery harness had melted. This caused the battery cable to heat up to ~200 degrees. The cause is still unclear, but we worry about this happening in the future. We are still waiting for the cable to be replaced at this time.

Filed Sep 27, 2023 · Lights · KY

My KIA Sportage 2017 headlights malfunctioned by flickering on and off and the screen and dashboard lights went totally out while I was driving on THE FREEWAY at NIGHT. This happened five times in the span of 30 minutes and each incident lasted approximately five to ten seconds. My car is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others was put at risk. I worried my lights might actually go out totally, plus drivers on the freeway would be confused and distracted; it might blind them, or possibly result in road rage. This issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer nor have the lights been inspected by anyone yet. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the repeated failure. This problem with 2017 KIA Sportage has been reported by others on the internet. KIA, the manufacturer, would not admit to me there is an issue with the lights flickering and the dashboard going black nor what might cause it. They said I could submit a claim for reimbursement AFTER my KIA dealer’s service department gives a diagnostic on the vehicle. I have been issued a KIA Case #. It would be a great benefit to know the cause and the remedy from other KIA vehicle owners that have been repaired. The earliest service appointment available with my KIA service dealer is October 25, 2023. I am not able to drive my car in the dark until this issue has been resolved. This is a great hardship on me because I am a widow and the sole driver in my household. Thank you for looking into this. I look forward to your response and information.

Filed Feb 5, 2023 · Lights · IL

Headlights have started flickering. The dash lights and radio also went out completely and came back on after a few seconds.

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Electrical · PA

The car start button failed to start the car . It has happened sporadically over last 4 months .It is available for inspection. I have not reported it as of today to the dealer . It is not a safety issue since it happens while parked. The cars dashboard lite up ,radio was on as were the headlights and all other warning lights when I depressed the start button with my foot on the brake pedal. The only thing that was different was the brake pedal was extremely hard to depress it didn't move at all.The brake pedal was up higher then normal by a couple of inches. It took multiple times before it started.

Filed May 20, 2020 · Lights · 20,000 miles · FL

Driver side headlight lamp lens is turning yellow, very distorted.

Filed Jan 28, 2019 · Lights · TN

Highlights to bright, can not drive at night without getting high beam by most cars that pass

Filed Jan 1, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 6,762 miles · CO

With only 6762 miles on the odometer, going 79-80 MPH on cruise control, the following happened all at once without warning: (1) loud thunk under the hood (2) engine stopped (3) electrical system shut down, including audio, dashboard, and headlights (4) rapid deceleration, as if I had slammed on the brakes (though I had not). (5) approaching the shoulder, I noticed that the power steering and power brakes were also inactive. After putting in park, it miraculously started right back up and got me home. But this is unacceptable, and a very serious safety issue, because the next time it happens, it'll be during rush hour and then I'll get rear-ended by the ubiquitous tailgater, going 70 MPH. Even if the brake lights work when I get a chance to apply them, there would still be a delay of a second or two during which the vehicle would be rapidly decelerating on its own, without brake lights. Not to mention the undoubtedly accelerated wear and tear on internal parts.

Filed Oct 15, 2017 · Lights · 225 miles · NY

Fmvss 108,table I-a, daytime running lamp (drl), device activation requires that drls be "automatically deactivated when the headlamp control is in any 'on' position." on the 2017 kia sportage the drls remain on with the headlamp control in all "on" positions. This gives the appearance that the high beams are on all the time. Opposing drives have flashed their lights at me to indicate that my high beams were on when they were not. This creates tension and anger in both drivers. I was even stopped once by the police because of the high beam on appearance. Since these light fail to meet fmvss requirements, kia should initiate a recall to remedy the problem. Given the commonality of systems manufacturers use in several vehicle models, other kia models may be similarly affected.

Filed Sep 8, 2017 · Lights · 10,700 miles · LA

The focused beam headlights on low beam are extremely bright when set to kia standards. Oncoming traffic periodically flashes headlights at me to dim my headlights which are on low beam. A few oncoming cars have kept their high beam lights on even though I flash my high beams to let them know my low beams are on. The approaching high beam lights partially blind me restricting my vision. Some cars I am following indicate my low beam lights are too bright by slowing down or using the turn signal flashers to indicate my lights are too bright. These actions occur on state highways while I am driving at night. I have an open case with kia. Case number 12446047. Kia customer service has advised they can do no more because the focused beam head lights are set per kia specifications.

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Lights · 4,400 miles · FL

When purchased in may, 2017, the headlights had to be adjusted as they were aimed too high. The adjustment made the lights too low and with a very short "cut-off" point. It is almost impossible to see the roadway in front of the vehicle at night.