Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 10% | 79,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2016 | 37 | 12% | 72,000 miles |
| 2015 | 17 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% | 117,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% | 130,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 13% | 115,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 15% | 95,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 9% | 82,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 33 | 9% | 66,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% | 21,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% | 51,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% | 140,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Driving home at night my main headlights randomly turned off while moving and went completely dark. The headlight setting was set to always on at the time of the incident. I quickly tried flipping to the auto setting and the head lights came back on. I drive 50 yards and they went back off. Fortunately I was not to far from home and kept switching back and forth to keep the lights on. I see similar complaints on the internet. Scary!
Both low beam H7 bulbs have blown out 3 times each. I have used Basic bulbs, and more expensive bulbs and both have failed within several months. I have used gloves when installing them avoiding touching the glass each time. Bulbs seem to fit properly into socket. Called dealer and no advice as to why this reoccurs.
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving, the nephew made a left-hand turn, and the vehicle was hit on the front right quarter panel. The contact stated that her nephew had turned on the left-hand signal and was halfway through making the left turn when the accident occurred. The other vehicle drove on the opposite side and stated that the left-hand turn signal was not on. The contact's nephew was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags were deployed. The contact's nephew had minor injuries and had a bruise on the right arm and chest that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing yard. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the residence and no longer driven. The insurance company was contacted, and the results are pending. …
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 mph and while making a left turn, the vehicle made slight contact with a second vehicle. While viewing the second vehicle's video dashcam it was discovered that the driver's side rear signal light did not illuminate. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that water had leaked into the rear light housing and the bulb was submerged in water causing the bulb to become inoperable. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. During the crash, no injuries were reported and a police report was taken at the scene. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 104,000.
The component that is failing in the Kia is the headlighs. It has been inspected by Kia of Orange Park and is determined to need replacement of left and right headlight assemblies. It is available for further inspection but Kia wants more money than I can afford to fix it, so I will be finding another mechanic soon. While traveling home with five others after dark the headlights just went out on a very dark highway. Before we could safely pull over they came back on. We proceeded to continue home and the lights randomly went completely out and back on again for the entire journey. I have not driven the Kia at night since. With the grace of God there was no accident so the police and insurance agency were not involved; only the Kia dealer thus far has inspected the kia. There is an attached report. …
When pushing the turn signal down while the vehicle is in motion to go left, it either doesn't blink or switches to the right blinker. This nearly caused an accident the other day when a car nearly hit the back of my van with my 6 kids in it, because the left blinker wouldn't come on and then switched to blinking right. There are numerous other reports on here of similar incidents and unfortunately it looks like nothing will be done until it causes a fatality. My car is at the dealership now and I will forward the invoice if they fix it. You can go to the Kia Forum and find 34 different posts on the same issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle both the driver side and passenger side door would erroneously opened. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. Also, while driving smoke was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle, the driver extinguished the flames coming from the blower motor wire harness located under the glove box. Also the front low beam head lights had failed on multiple occasion and had to be replaced and the backup camera was inoperable. The cause of the failures were not yet determined. The local dealer a & b Kia dealer (100 marshall st. N, benwood, wv 26031) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the contact observed that the cruise control independently ceased functioning. The contact stated that the "ESC" light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving but had to manually accelerate due to the failure. The contact stated that the cruise control switch was illuminated, but the cruise function would not engage. The contact stated that when he had pulled into a rest stop, he became aware that the rear brake lights were still illuminated even though he had turned the vehicle off and shifted to park(P). The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake stop, and brake stop lamp switch needed to be replaced. …
Related recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sedona years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (37), 2006 (33), 2015 (17), 2008 (16) and 2007 (13) model years. Headlight complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Kia Sedona headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 13V-114 (switch, Apr 1, 2013); 09V-130 (switch, Apr 17, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Sedona headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (14 mentions), followed by the brake lights (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.