2018 Kia Sorento Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 16%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Kia Sorento, 16% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,450 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“7/23/20 20:30, while driving straight down a city street, just began driving from stopping at a light, and the headlights turned off by themselves. After a few seconds, my wife rotated the lights switch to off then back to auto and they came back on. This is the third time this has occurred since we bought the vehicle in august of 2019.”
NHTSA complaint #11341934, filed 2020-07, 43,450 miles“The headlights on my 2018 Kia Sorento randomly turn off. It's happened at least 20 times in the past six months. It happens both day and night. The lights are set to auto. Although the even appears to be random, it is while the car is in motion and has happed while driving in parking lots as well as major highways. In order for the lights to come back on, I have to use turn the knob to off then back on. When the lights turn off at night I can not see anything around me nor can anyone else see me. I did contact Kia and they ran diagnostic testing but could not find the source of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11337949, filed 2020-07, 30,000 miles“Headlights turn off while driving on highway and city streets. Service on 3-23-20 and could duplicate problem. On 9-25-20 driving and dash board indicator switching from flashers on, headlights going from auto set, to off, to running lights, and door locks locking and unlocking. Scheduled service for 10-20-20, but was told if they can not duplicate problem may not be able to repair.”
NHTSA complaint #11363468, filed 2020-10, 30,000 miles“2018 Kia sorrento - lights have shut off for approximately 3 seconds intermittently driving in various driving conditions (interstate/city street/etc.). Can happen multiple times during a single trip (twice yesterday and four times last week all within one trip). Can go days without it happening which is frustrating as dealer needs to see the issue to fix it . Observing it in both night and day. Obviously more dangerous during night. I have videos from others that replaced the light stalk switch with success. …”
NHTSA complaint #11372716, filed 2020-11, 58,000 miles“The right head light just stops working and I have to open the head light casing and play with the cables to get it to work again. Also the power seats don't work.”
NHTSA complaint #11388962, filed 2021-01, 67,059 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…
- 11010703Nov 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…
- 10244788Oct 30, 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 2018 Kia Sorento
107 complaintsOther or unknown
45 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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