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 2017 Kia Sorento owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, an audible message indicated that there was engine failure, and the infotainment screen displayed the option to send an engine failure report. The vehicle then shuddered and made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the abnormal sound persisted. The vehicle was shaking, and the contact detected an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle. Additionally, the headlights failed to illuminate while driving at night. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with multiple cylinders misfire. The dealer determined that the spark plugs and headlights needed to be replaced, as well as an induction cleaning and oil change. …
The vehicle turns the headlights on while the engine is off, parked, and no occupants in the car and no keys in the ignition. I have experienced this multiple times. There are many other reports of this on the Internet as well. The multi switch was in the Auto position. I started the car, then turned it off, removed the keys, locked the doors and the lights went off. I checked on it later and the headlights had come back on (with the tail lights) while parked in my driveway. I then searched on the Web for others having this issue and there are many with this same year and model. This could run down the battery repeatedly, and also it is unknown if it is an electrical/fire hazard because something is clearly still activated after the car has been turned off.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front and rear exterior lights shut off unexpectedly. The contact turned off the light switch and then back on and the failure was fixed. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption, and engine oil was added shortly after having an oil change performed. The vehicle also experienced harsh driving due to the oil consumption failure. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated upon activating the high beam headlights, both the internal and external lights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the lights had to be manually turned off before returning to normal operation. The contact also mentioned that his wife had driven into a ditch and scratched the passenger's side of the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was given an estimate for a diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,600. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH at night, the headlights briefly became inoperable. After several attempts at turning the switch off and on, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the interior lights and headlights turned off and turned back on without driver's input. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 104,082.
The lighting switch assembly has an issue that causes the headlights to turn off at random times. I have only seen it happen when the switch is on the auto setting, but that is the setting I most often use. When the lights go off, the instrument panel display shows that the switch has changed to the parking lights setting, but the physical switch has not been moved. The lights remain off for a few seconds and then switch back to the auto setting. I have also seen issues with the turn signals, such as when I make a left turn and complete the turn, the switch flips to the off position and then the right turn signal turns on by itself. This is a safety risk because the lights randomly turn off at night and it hinders my ability to see in the dark and for other vehicles to see me. …
I have complained since 2020 about the noise in the rear area, this started when the right rear light was rewired. I can't pinpoint what triggers the noise to start, sometimes it happens when the SUV is off ,and idling and driving but not consistently. I left with an unresolved issue. I went to the dealership today( 05/14/2021) @ 11:00 @ Greenway Kia West 3407 West Colonial Drive Orlando Florida 32808, to complain that my oil is running completely out of the engine and I was told all the fees I will have to pay in order to check this problem, I didn't say I had a leak or noise but disappearing. This is a manufacturers issues , and the warranty should cover. I told them my windshield is bubbling at the top and maybe separating , and still again all I heard was fees , I purchased a Kia Sorrento based on the good warranty and the place I felt very safe. …
While headlight switch is in Auto mode, it will frequently turn off the headlights at night while indicating that I changed the headlight mode even though I haven't touched it. This happens on dark rural roads with no other vehicles around so oncoming headlights isn't the issue. This happens multiple times a week and I am forced to quickly turn the headlights manually to the "always on" position before I crash into something. I am quick, but it is dangerous and scares my wife to death. Searching online forums shows this to be an extremely common problem. This happens all of the time so there is not one specific date to select. It has been happening multiple times a week for about a year now. Kia pretends they haven't heard of this issue before but any simple search online will show they are lying.
Headlights turned off on 3 occasions in the last 2 weeks. first i was driving on an unlit section of a residential thoroughfare, dark night and suddenly, while both hands on steering wheel, not having had any interaction with dashboard/radio controls, smooth section of roads (no obvious bumps) the lights turned off. I immediately fiddled with the steering column mounted light control switch, which did not give me an immediate relief, flipped it to highbeams and they worked. 2nd and 3rd time (yesterday 9/8/23) while on semi lit highway they again shocked me by turning off, i again toggled the light switch, this time highbeam flip did not work, i was doing 65 on a 70 and having lights turn off, with no reason, scary. 80,000 miles. i have had the light switch in automode.
Headlight complaints in other Sorento years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2017 Kia Sorento?
NHTSA has 125 complaints about the lights of the 2017 Kia Sorento, 15% of the model year's 807 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Kia Sorento headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2017 Kia Sorento, though it has 4 recalls for other components. 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 2017 Kia Sorento headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires 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.