What 746 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

My vehicle's headlights are dim and do not light the roadway properly, even when they are turned to the bright setting. I am unable to drive it at night or during rainy weather. I have paid hundreds of dollars for replacement bulbs, trying to get the lights adjusted, and for refurbishing the covers. It is available for inspection at any time. With me being unable to see the road at night, it endangers myself and my passengers when driving. This can also result in a danger to other people or property if my vehicle fails to illuminate for me to see them until I am too close to stop/avoid an accident. I have been told by two dealerships that this issue is common with my vehicle and they have not been provided a fix. They have informed me that everyone complains about it, because the headlights tilt in a way that prevents them from lighting the roadway properly. I have been stopped by police officers in the past for my lights appearing to be "wonky" and not lighting the roadway. There are no warning lamps or messages. The issue has been ongoing since it was purchased new in 2015. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a solution.

NHTSA ODI 11465542

The lowbeam headlights are extremely dim. The high beams are just fine, but the low beams are so dim that it's dangerous driving anywhere at night without the high beams on. I have replaced the bulbs, and a voltage test right before the headlight assembly show significantly less than the 12V standard. At night, when high beams are dangerous to other drivers, I mainly rely on the fog lights to provide at least a little bit of light. The fog lights are significantly brighter than the low beams, which seem nonexistent.

NHTSA ODI 11464448

The low beam headights are extremely dim. The outer headlight cover is not degraded. It appears to be the inner light cover that is fogged over (just for the low beam light). The lights are aimed appropriately, but you can barely see the road and obstacles at night. It is even worse when raining. The high beam headlights are functioning normally. The low beam lights are significantly dimmer than when it was new. There are no warning lights on the dash or error codes. I don't know exactly when the condition started, but it has gotten worse over time. This is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11463420

The headlights do not illuminate down the road. Visibility at night is greatly impaired. Taken to dealers twice. First dealer in NM said it was just the way they were. Second dealer in Texas did realign the lights. Better but still very poor. I have installed the brightest bulbs allowed by law,

NHTSA ODI 11463024

Low bean headights are extremely dim. Can barely see road and obstacles at night and very difficult to see in rain. High beam headlights function normally. Low beam lights are significantly dimmer than when new. Headlamps are not fogged over. Have not been to dealer yet. Ther are no warning lights (MIL) on dash or codes. difficult to pinpoint when the condition started as it seems to have occured gradually.

NHTSA ODI 11457383

My vehicle was stuck in park. I noted that module 2 fuse was blown. I replaced the fuse and smelled smoke. I took my Sorento in to the local KIA dealership for diagnosis. It was determined by a technician that the headlight level sensor and harness pigtail were both significantly melted. It was suggested by the tech to remove the level sensor and that has created a safety issue with the headlights pointing significantly low. The level sensor or headlight leveling system and harness connection are a potential fire hazard and if the component fails, this creates an additional unsafe driving condition with the headlights aiming low.

NHTSA ODI 11455888

Snow Pearl White paint is chipping at various areas of the front portion of the vehicle. I was driving in heavy rain and then noticed a huge chunk just chipped off. Several owners with this paint color have complained of an issue this similar. Headlights are too dim at night. We have family who lives in the country with limited street light and we are forced to use our high beam lights to even see down the road. I turn on my fog lights to add extra light but it’s still hard to see further down the road.

NHTSA ODI 11453087

The headlights are dangerously dim. Purchased this vehicle used. Only used in the daytime the first months. My son started working night shifts and that's when we noticed that it did not light up in front of the vehicle. It was very minimal. I drove the car on a rainy evening and was terrified. Could not see in front of me. Had to drive next to cars to make sure I was in my lane. We cleaned the headlights, it did not improve. We purchased new and brighter bulbs. It is still too dim. It only lights up immediately in front of the vehicle and it is a very dim light. Light barely reaches maybe three feet in front of the vehicle, maybe only two. It is VERY dangerous. I am an experienced driver and I found it frightening to drive at night. My son is recently licensed and it does not feel safe to have him operate that vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11450778

Both low beam headlights no longer work although all fuses and bulbs have been verified to work. The high beam headlights do work. This appears to be the identical issue that 2011-2013 owners were dealing with. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10159259-0001.pdf. In this instance, the headlight connectors required replacement and Kia extended the warranty to cover that work. Kia will not extend the warranty to 2015 model owners who are having the same problem and the dealership quotes a price of $1880 for just the parts alone.

NHTSA ODI 11449586

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night, the low-beam headlights were extremely dim, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who examined the vehicle but found no issues with the vehicle. The low-beam headlights were replaced however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11448157

The running lights on the front and rear drivers side work half of the time, the plate light seems to turn off when they do. They'll come on for a split second and then go out, or on a good day they'll stay on. Seems like a short in the wiring. It could be a safety issue at night!!!

NHTSA ODI 11444517

Upon accelerating causes a lot of exhaust smoke and bogs down so I can’t get out of the way and others behind me cannot see a thing. Two Kia dealerships refused assistance. The first after I called 12/3 to report that my vehicle issue made additional hazard involving a semi (thank goodness no one wreaked) and it was still smoking and smelled as if something was burning. The other telling me it would be six months at least. The warning dashboard lights did not trigger during or after incidents. The only light that came on ever was the oil light the prior weekend. I had the oil changed, filters replaced as well as the headlights for the third time. Around 44k miles when issues started and escalated quickly. Other problems reported to Arapaho Kia a few years ago consisted of back passenger door not latching. Someone flagged me down on the highway as I had my daughter in her car seat on that side. No warning lights triggered, dealership unable to duplicate issue. Steering control keys controlling opposite functions or not working intermittently. Was told steering control harness needed replacement. Think that was at 18k miles but not sure. Did not have replaced at that time as it mainly affected radio functions hands free calling did stop working. I usually didn’t make calls in the car anyway. I was left with no other choice but to trade the vehicle in before something really bad happened or it self destructed leaving me without out a car still paying on. I could not be without a car for six months as Peak Kia quoted timeframe. Untimely fixing of recall on vehicle likely manifesting these other issues and causing additional damage to vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11443507

The headlights are very dim and only project approximately 20 feet in front of the vehicle. This creates unsafe night driving. At 65 mph on a highway, there is practically no time to react to an animal or object on the road. I have emails from the manufacturer but I am unable to copy and paste them here. In my discussion with a representative from Kia, I was told I would have to contact the dealer and pay a $160 diagnostic fees s then pay for new headlights, that would be the same as are on the car now. Makes no sense.

NHTSA ODI 11438972

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the headlight bulbs burned out frequently and had to be replaced numerous times by the dealer and several independent mechanics. The vehicle remained at the dealer for the recurring failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438243

My low beam lives are so .com at nite. It is very hard to see.I replaced with others. But they are dim and kept blowing out. Took to Kia dealer for problem. They said I needed to purchase there factory bulbs. I had them replace both. And still they are to dim to drive at night. It is a very bad safety issue. Especially if it is raining out.

NHTSA ODI 11437832

Lowlight beams are very dim. Poor visibility. NHTSA ratings are poor. I’m concerned as to why Kia will not fix the issue. There was no accident but for years I’ve been afraid to drive at night or avoid it. I’ve looked online and see I’m not the only Kia Sorento owner with these concerns. This does make me regret purchasing Kia and I tell everyone I know don’t buy this car.

NHTSA ODI 11431669

The headlights are very dim on my 2015 Kia Sorento, when compared to other vehicles. They only illuminate about 10 feet in front of the car. They need to be replaced with a stronger bulb as it is dangerous driving at night.

NHTSA ODI 11430312

Low beam headlights are dangerously too dim on my 2015 Kia Sorento LX. This is a well known reported issue by many owners. All drivers in my family had many close calls due to poor visibility when driving in the night. Yes I have changed lightbulbs several times, made sure that lenses and reflectors are clean and ground wire is not corroded. A simple search on the internet will tell you the extent of this problem. Many have reached to dealers and Kia but they are told -this is normal. Well it is absolutely NOT normal. It’s dangerous. feeling helpless. LX trim level don’t have fog lights too. Do something please.

NHTSA ODI 11427670

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at night, the headlamps were too dim, and the contact was unable to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the headlamp assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 153,048.

NHTSA ODI 11426829

Headlights keep burning out. I've replaced the driver's side low-beam bulb seven times in the last year and the passenger side twice. Both are currently blown out again.

NHTSA ODI 11426180

Vehicle has low visibility on low beam, even with aftermarket LEDS there is still low visibility with the low beams, car need to be driven on high beam and it is illegal to drive with high beams as you blind cars driving on opposite direction, and a fine could be impose as well.

NHTSA ODI 11424549

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the headlights were dim and failed to produce adequate lighting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11421798

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY, CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WALLACE KIA LOCATED AT 3131 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL 34994 WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BE UPGRADE TO LED LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI 11414579

MY LOW BEAMS ARE VERY DIM AND IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. I CAN'T SEE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11413617

AFTER REPLACING BULBS, HEADLIGHTS, ESPECIALLY LOW BEAMS, ARE DANGEROUSLY LOW. VERY LOW VISIBILITY AT NIGHT AND EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN THERE IS ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WHEN IT IS RAINING. THIS MORNING ON MY WAY INTO WORK IT WAS RAINING AND ALMOST MISSED A CURVE IN THE ROAD DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY. I SLOWED TO MAKE THE CURVE AND HIT A PATCH OF WATER (AGAIN, BECAUSE OF THE LOW VISIBILITY I DID NOT SEE) AND HYDROPLANED ALMOST HITTING A VEHICLE COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT OVERCORRECT AND REGAINED CONTROL BEFORE A COLLISION TOOK PLACE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER TIMES WHEN I COULD NOT SEE THE TURN COMING UP OR ENTRANCES TO EXIT RAMPS ON THE HIGHWAY. MY HOPE WAS THAT CHANGING THE BULBS WOULD HELP, BUT EVEN WITH GETTING THE BRIGHTEST BULBS AT THE AUTO PART STORE, THE LIGHTS ARE STILL JUST AS DIM. IN DOING RESEARCH, I AM FINDING THAT THIS IS A COMIN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI 11406859