2016 Kia Sorento Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 67about this part
- Share
- 5%of 1,262 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,594miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 67 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2016 Kia Sorento, 5% of the 1,262 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,594 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My outer light bulb from the passenger side to the main lights is off. I took it to auto zone to buy a new bulb but when they checked it and moved the bulb a bit it turned on. Tech said it's not the bulb but the connector. That they're usually melting not connecting correctly. Ending frying the whole front lights. That it keeps occuring.. I checked for any recalls on my vehicle and none.”
NHTSA complaint #11173111, filed 2019-01, 160,100 miles“While the vehicle is in motion, on both city streets and interstates, and at both low or higher speeds the vehicle's headlights, tail lights and other lighting will turn off on their own. This is extremely dangerous specifically after sunset when it is completely dark. I took the vehicle for repair at my local Kia dealer for service and they said there is an open circuit in ipm (fuse block). …”
NHTSA complaint #11164280, filed 2018-12, 65,000 miles“While driving at night while my headlights are in auto position they will randomly turn off for a few seconds and then click back on. This has happened twice in one week. The last time, was while driving 70 MPH down the interstate and my headlights went out without warning.”
NHTSA complaint #11141057, filed 2018-10, 33,000 miles“The headlights went out while I was driving on the highway going 70 miles per hour. I was getting ready to brake and turn and was unable to see anything outside of the vehicle. The lights were off for approximately 10 seconds.”
NHTSA complaint #11377603, filed 2020-12, 38,097 miles“The headlights go off while driving for no apparent reason. Apparently has happened for over a year. Recently my son drove the car and mentioned it and then my daughter said that it has been happening since last summer.”
NHTSA complaint #11361258, filed 2020-09, 58,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11037563Sep 25, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC330 Flight 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to…
- 11033996Jun 16, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 11013247Feb 1, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the…
- 11013360Jan 30, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (SC330) - This bulletin provides information to repair the multi-function switch knob on…
- 11013248Jan 30, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC330) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary…
- 11013246Jan 30, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC330) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is…
- 11013245Jan 30, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC330) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service…
- 11010704Nov 9, 2024WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (WTY031) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage…
- 10248078Dec 18, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by…
- 10244787Oct 31, 2023WARRANTY EXTENSION: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners…
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 2016 Kia Sorento
697 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
126 complaintsBody and structure
111 complaintsElectrical system
107 complaintsSteering
81 complaintsVehicle speed control
62 complaintsFuel system
58 complaintsEngine cooling
31 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsAir bags
18 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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