Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that there was a burning odor of wires present in the vehicle and the headlights failed. In addition, the air conditioner failed and that the four wheel drive would not engage. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the compressor failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.
The vehicle has had several electronic issues. One owner with a garage parked low mileage SUV. The driver seat will not move forward. All other adjustments work fine. This issue has happened several times over the years but now seems to be a permanent problem. The interior overhead light does not illuminate when you open the doors, the driver side door open alarm dings for no apparent reason and the brake lights continually burn out.
While returning from our vacation our Kia started making at lot of noises in around the airconditioning heating system, the air coming from the vents didn't seem to be warm enough to defog the windows, then the next day when it was warmer it started making a rattling fan noise when the air was turned on. When the system was turned off it didn't make the noise anymore. We arrived home unloaded our gear and then went out again a while later. The fan noise started again and the warning light came on and the power steering didn't work, when the air was turned off everything resumed to normal. We arrived at our friend house and went inside. After several minutes we smelled something burning and went outside to see smoke coming from the engine area. We lifted the hood to investigate where we saw flames coming from the engine. …
While driving my vehicle, it began making a "knocking" noise. The power steering then began to fail and then I was unable to accelerate. The car died (on a busy 4 lane hwy with my 7 mos old daughter in the car). Once stopped, I looked under my hood to find a large bolt laying on the floor of the interior of the bumper. The vehicle was towed to a local auto repair shop where, after 2 days and $1300 in repairs, I was told that the "large bolt" I found was half of the crank pulley bolt. It had snapped clean in half leaving the other half inside the pulley. Extensive labor to remove this piece and then reset all the pulleys and belts (timing belt) attributed to the excessive cost. I was told that there was no reason why that bolt should have simply broke in half and that it was a faulty part. …
I purchase my 2005 Kia sorrento lx new from taylor Kia in toledo ohio.also purchased extra warranty for bumper to bumper.a couple months after I had purchase vehicle my headlight started going out I would take it back get it fixed come back home and another one would be out take it back come back to weeks later another headlight would be out. Then the headlights &taillights would go out and brake lights would go out this went on with every single light on my vehicle.continue to call taylor Kia to have the service then about the sixth time one of my lights went out they told me they would not service my vehicle anymore even though it was completely covered everything on my vehicle from bumper-to-bumper. They also red flag to me on their computer so that I could not have my vehicle service because of this problem with my Kia sorrento. …
Noticed that I had a brake light out on the passenger side,replaced it with proper bulb 1157.a double filament bulb. It appears that is also the tail light? Checked light and it worked but later realized that when I pressed the brake pedal the brake light was out.the next day noticed the driver tail light was out and replaced it but later realized the brake light didnt work,as well as my cruise control stopped working at the same time.went to an auto care store they replaced both of the lightsand again tail lights worked but when I pressed brake pedal no lights. Checked and replaced the fuse just to be sure and at this point I got on the internet and seen 285 complaints with the same problem and the majority of them said there cruise control had stopped working as well as the sportage model and the Kia soul.most suggestions said replace the brake switch. …
Note: purchased vehicle used approximately 1 month and 500 miles before problems initially started. 1) headlight bulbs blow out repeatedly either during driving or an onset of driving (come on momentarily just before blowing). Have had to replace low beam headlight bulbs on 5 occasions in the first year of ownership. Research on the matter indicates this is a wide spread issue among Kia Sorento owners. Observed on several occasions that the bulbs blew out after using the key fob. Stopped using the key fob and the bulb blowouts stopped, but issue #2 continues (see next incident description). 2) headlights low beams stop working intermittently. Headlight low beams stop working during driving at night or will not work from onset of driving. Incident occurs at least monthly driving approximately 600 miles per month. Low beams start working again on intermittent basis. …
Today I took our 05 Sorento in for an oil change. It came as no surprise to me that during the 20 point inspection I was told the driver's side headlight didn't work. This is beyond ridiculous at this point. I have already changed burnt out headlights a minimum of 5-7 times now. I can't even keep up with the count. Like many other owners I have tried every make and type of headlight and none of them will last more than a few months. This recent set was the top of the line and I had to pay $80 for the two lights. Still don't last. It seems that Kia knows about this issue but is unwilling or too cheap to pay have their issue fixed. I'm not the only owner with this problem. Look it up! The car has operated fine other than this but it has become a hassle and is very costly replacing headlights every few months! This will be the last Kia that I buy unless Kia steps up and fixes this issue. …
First the headlights on driver side went out. We took the 2005 Kia Sorento lx to the dealer to have the headlight replaced at which time they admitted there was a defect problem with the headlights going out frequently. They said bring it in and they would fix the problem. The next time the passenger light went out and the dealer said there was no problem and would not fix it. Since then the drivers side light has gone out three more times and the passengers side has gone out twice. Each rear brake light has gone out twice. Recently we have experienced the interior dome light intermittently malfunctioning along with both headlights and a smell of smoke near the dome light. We have been pulled over twice by police due to inoperable headlights and taillights. The dealer takes no responsibility for this obvious electrical defect which is clearly a safety hazard.
Lighting (bulbs) very short life, bulbs last 1/5 to 1/10th of the life in other vehicles. Most recent both low beam bulbs failed within 5 minutes leaving us with no lighting while driving at highway speed on unlit divided highway. We have been replacing bulbs every 2-3 months. We always replace both headlights when one burns out. My other vehicles last many years, this vehicle is the only one I have ever had that headlights only last months. The vehicle is only driven 4 days per week and the headlight life is actually less than 50 hours use. We have tried sylvania (standard, silverstar and silverstar ultras, ge, hella and recently phillips bulbs all with the same lifespan (within days) something is wrong. There is a TSB but no recall.
Headlight complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2005 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the lights of the 2005 Kia Sorento, 18% of the model year's 307 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Kia Sorento headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2005 Kia Sorento. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Kia Sorento headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.