2004 Kia Sorento Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 6%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Kia Sorento, 6% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The interior lights do not stay on the wheel I have to play with it to get them to come on and they go off all the time which is very dangerous driving at night. And my low beams do not work at all I have to drive with high beams on.”
NHTSA complaint #11114047, filed 2018-07, 8,200 miles“I have a 2004 Kia sorrento with 57,000 miles. I have owned it for 2 years. The headlights and brake lights continuously go out. I have replaced each headlight 4 times in the past year and the brake lights have been replaced 5 times in the past year. This is a safety hazard as I never know when my brake lights are out unless someone stops and tells me.”
NHTSA complaint #10246364, filed 2008-10, 57,000 miles“Driving down the road and all of a sudden I have no power and can not go over 25 MPH. How safe is that on the highway, especially as I am driving with my kids!!!?? This has happened twice. The 1st time, it self corrected when I went to take it to the dealer to look at. This time, it has not. The lights constantly go off and on at any moments notice (real safe while driving at night)- and remain off for great lengths of time. I have had to replace the fuse that controls the fan in the engine twice already. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692359, filed 2015-03, 109,000 miles“Summary: update to below problem I bought my Sorento in 2004, new. I replaced the coolant reservoir at 61000 miles due to overheating, replaced the low beam headlight bulbs on 4 occasions, tail lights on 2 occasions. My vehicle, 5 speed manual transmission, started to have a roaring noise approx. 6 months ago and the u-joints were replaced. It still roars. It quit running on 2-16-12 while I was driving, but restarted. It finally quit again and would not restart on 2-17-12. …”
NHTSA complaint #10453918, filed 2012-04, 120,000 miles“I bought my sarento in 2004, new. I replaced the coolant reservor at 61000 miles due to overheating, replaced the low beam headlight bulbs on 4 ocasions, tail lights on 2 ocasions. My vehicle, 5 speed manual transmission, started to have a roaring noise approx. 6 months ago and the u-joints were replaced. It still roars. It quit running on 2-16-12 while I was driving, but restarted. It finally quit again and would not restart on 2-17-12. Check engine light indicate a fuel pressure sensor problem, but mechanic says this should not cause the problem I presently have. …”
NHTSA complaint #10448928, filed 2012-02, 120,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 10028268Dec 9, 2008Kia: head light bulb life concern. There may be concerns of short headlamp bulb life in vehicles. A new resistive wire harness has been introduced to extend the life of the low…
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 5 | 4% |
| 2019 | 22 | 5% |
| 2018 | 41 | 16% |
| 2017 | 125 | 15% |
| 2016 | 67 | 5% |
| 2015 | 91 | 12% |
| 2014 | 86 | 9% |
| 2013 | 70 | 7% |
| 2012 | 60 | 7% |
| 2011 | 102 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 13 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 56 | 23% |
| 2005 | 53 | 17% |
| 2004 | 14 | 6% |
| 2003 | 16 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia Sorento
46 complaintsEngine cooling
46 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
40 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsBody and structure
28 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia Sorento
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology