Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 4% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 4% | 18,000 miles |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% | 44,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% | 88,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 7,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% | 27,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% | 157,000 miles |
| 2009 | 7 | 9% | 58,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 7% | 54,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% | 68,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% | 71,000 miles |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2002 | 4 | 2% | 123,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% | — |
| 1999 | 7 | 2% | 69,000 miles |
| 1998 | 7 | 2% | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed at night, she became aware that the headlamps failed to provide adequate illumination, severely compromising vehicle safety while driving at night. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the headlamps were within vehicle safety compliance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 6,000.
I am writing because this is an accident, just "waiting to happen." I buy a new car every 3 or 4 years. I purchase every option, and even purchase the extended warranty package to 7 yrs, because of all the electronics in newer cars. I have never noticed on any of them, what I believe is an unsafe driving condition, until now. On my 2020 Kia Sportage...at night, when dark, and you turn off either Left or Right...for some reason, the light does not follow you...it stays focused straight ahead. So, for some seconds, you cannot see, until your car straightens out again. This, I believe is a safety issue. If there was something, in that blind spot few seconds, you would hit it; a child, a biker, a large hole, an animal or some unexpected thing...because it is impossible to see until the car totally straightens again. Accidents happen in seconds. …
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the high beam headlights failed to illuminate as designed. The contact researched and learned of an undisclosed Technical Service Bulletin concerning the failure with the halogen bulbs on the 2020 Kia Telluride. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not under recall or covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Driving home night 9/4/19, noticed headlights have partial obstruction with shadow on horizon making it difficult to recognize any objects in the shadow area. If you turn the car or take a bend in the road or drive down or up hill the distraction becomes a very bad problem as the shadow changes in size or moves...mostly on low beams but is also on high beams but not as noticeable....live and drive in the ne georgia mountains, hazard in daytime and more at night..called Kia next am, car seen dealership 9/9/2019..adjusted headlights...9/13/2019 drove night again, no change...called dealership and took in 9/18/2019 before service was told this is a problem with the 2019 Kia Sportage and other Kia SUV's..nothing they can do...it is a problem that has been reported to them by other Kia Sportage owners and it is a design flaw so was told by service manager at lifetime kis...4170 us highway …
The oil was leaking somewhere not on the motor not under the car not blowing black smoke. I kept adding oil to it. No oil light. I was told not to park between 2 houses or in my garage it could catch on fire. I took it in several times and they did all kinds of stuff motor wash knock sensor was replaced wiring harness was corroded was slipping out of gear and other issues. And now it doesn't run because of the motor issue and they refused to fix it because I didn't have oil change receipts they are the ones that took care of that there was no oil to change I kept adding it. I have all of the detailed work invoices of what they did to it. I've been without a car for a year now they said it's not under warranty my car has several of the recalls. They wouldn't do all of the stuff they did if it wasn't necessary and trying to locate the problem.
This vehicle has a safety issue with the headlights. Basically, the low beams for both, driver and passenger sides are not functioning at all. Several diagnostic have been done to repair the existing issue such as replacing new light bulbs, new OEM turn signal switch, replacing whole new headlight assembly for both driver/ passenger sides, checking the relay, replacing new fuses, though, the issue still exists to date and the vehicle is undrivable in the dark. On a side not, only high beam works and turn signals, that is basically it. Several auto service centers have advised me to submit a report as a safety issues since all options have been exhausted. With that said, this safety issue concerning headlight should be addressed with the manufacturer. Thank you for taking this matter seriously!
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to slow for traffic or a traffic signal, the contact required more force to depress the brake pedal before the vehicle would slow. The contact became aware that while making a right turn, excessive pressure was needed to depress the brake pedal. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while depressing the brake pedal to make an abrupt stop, the front brakes made an abnormal sound like loosened pieces of metal bouncing around in the front wheels. Additionally, the contact stated that her rear brake light bulbs were burning out frequently and the brake light wiring was melted. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. …
My 2017 KIA Sportage was purchased in 2016 and does not have any recalls showing under my VIN number for this issue but I have all of the signs of a serious malfunction and the dealer won't respond. My car has less than 23k miles on it, I barely drive it because I work from home and all of the ABS warning lights are on including the ABS, Hill Descent, Tire Pressure, Traction/Stability Control, Emergency Brake Light. My dashboard light to Check TPMS also pops on the screen consistently and there is a weird smell coming from my dashboard. My husband is a certified mechanic for Largo Honda and he claims it is a safety issue in the vehicle that should be recalled. In addition to this issue, my windows will not go down and this will be the third time I have to take the car to the dealer to get fixed in the short period that I've had the car.
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Turn signal, traffic safety hazard
Allege that while driving, the trun signal switch failed.this failure increases the risk of a vehicle crash due to operator distraction and due to other vehicles being uninformed of the operator's intentions.
TURN SIGHAL
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sportage years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (15), 2007 (12), 2011 (12), 2001 (8) and 1998 (7) model years. Headlight complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Kia Sportage headlight problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 15V-360 (switch, Jun 9, 2015); 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 Sportage headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (9 mentions), followed by the tail lights (5).
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.