What 788 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Sorento Plug-in Hybrid

The lighting switch assembly has an issue that causes the headlights to turn off at random times. I have only seen it happen when the switch is on the auto setting, but that is the setting I most often use. When the lights go off, the instrument panel display shows that the switch has changed to the parking lights setting, but the physical switch has not been moved. The lights remain off for a few seconds and then switch back to the auto setting. I have also seen issues with the turn signals, such as when I make a left turn and complete the turn, the switch flips to the off position and then the right turn signal turns on by itself. This is a safety risk because the lights randomly turn off at night and it hinders my ability to see in the dark and for other vehicles to see me. It is also a safety risk because other drivers may react based on my turn signal being on, but I don’t intend to move in the direction it is indicating. I have seen this happen multiple times over the past year, but not consistently. The dealer I brought it to was not able to reproduce the issue and did not replace the switch. A dealer has inspected it, but no other parties have. There is no prior warning or messages before it happens.

NHTSA ODI 11494771

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated upon activating the high beam headlights, both the internal and external lights failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the lights had to be manually turned off before returning to normal operation. The contact also mentioned that his wife had driven into a ditch and scratched the passenger’s side of the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was given an estimate for a diagnostic test and repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,600. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11493476

While headlights are set to "Auto" mode, they will automatically shut off wile driving on multiple occasions. Also, while on "Auto" mode, parked, and vehicle turned off, head lights will turn on. This is a safety issue as driving without headlights is illegal and can cause an accident. Also, if vehicle has headlights on while vehicle is parked and turned off, this can cause the battery to drain and vehicle will not turn on. Enabling it driveable. This is a failure within Kia's electrical system/wiring, and needs to be brought to their attention.

NHTSA ODI 11492965

Intermittently, while driving, day or night, the headlights will turn on or off for about 30 seconds despite the called for sensor setting. For example, if it is dark outside, the sensors will trigger to turn on the headlight and running lights and vise a versa, when the sensors detect sufficient light, the running and headlights will turn off. I have only noticed this happens when the headlights are in the "auto" mode position as I don't keep them any other way. I have only noticed it a couple times when the headlights and/or running lights will turn on during the day (bright enough not to trigger the sensor). HOWEVER, it has happened A LOT at night where the lights will turn OFF WHILE DRIVING which causes panic because I'm driving a death machine blindly (nothing bright to mistakenly trigger sensor/no overhead lighting or approaching vehicles, i.e. pitch black). I have not been able to recreate it on demand and it has an unknown, unbiased pattern. I would say that it occurs weekly, up to 2 times per week. I feel that it has happened more often a few seconds after straightening from a turn using the turning signal (but I always use my turning signal). The direction of turn doesn't factor, it'll do it turning left or right. There has been a couple times where I almost have driven off the road and/or hit unseen objects because of having no lights. This has happened enough at night when the lights unwantedly turn off, that I have learned to quickly switch the lights from "auto" to "on" and the lights react/will work and stay on when switched back to "auto". Mechanic unable to recreate issue. No warning lights, messages, or notice of problematic signals (other than the standard "lights on" notification. The attached picture was taken at 4:06 pm on July 29, 2022. It was a hot, sunny day and I was doing 53 on the highway (straight/no curves). My running lights turned on long enough for me to pull out my phone and take a picture.

NHTSA ODI 11491119

2017 Kia Sorrento burns excessive amounts of oil between oil changes, more than 4 quarts. Eyebrow and rear parking lights come on their own, even after the car has been off for several hours without touching Kia or keys.

NHTSA ODI 11490421

While I was driving on the interstate my head lights and dashboard lights went out. My lights were in auto mode. The next morning my park lights were on with the light switch in auto mode.

NHTSA ODI 11489784

When the headlights are on "auto", they shut off at night while I'm driving. This has happened when I have been traveling out of state on dark highways and it is very dangerous. It is available to be inspected. I have not taken it in to get checked. I have not been able to use the "auto" feature because I do not want to take that kind of risk.

NHTSA ODI 11489843

The auto lights turn off randomly during night operation

NHTSA ODI 11489099

On 3 different occasions, my headlights have gone out during driving at night. My switch is always set to auto. I have noticed at times during the day they will shut off as well. Shutting off during night driving is very dangerous as i'm not always in areas that are lighted. On a few occasions my eyebrows and tail lights have randomly come on when my car is off during the night. These issues are happening without warning.

NHTSA ODI 11488152

While driving at night down an unlit roadway, the headlights turned off. I was the passenger and my wife the driver. She touched the light control arm and they came back on. She said this has happened about 5 times, all at night. It takes about 3-5 seconds to get the lights to come back on. We were on a back country road driving about 55 mph which means we drove anywhere from 240 feet to 400 feet down the highway in the dark. This is a safety concern. I have also discovered some of the vehicle's lights come on at random while parked in the garage. I have also discovered the battery dead on 3 occasions. I assume these issues are related.

NHTSA ODI 11488154

Headlights were in auto mode and twice have shut off when it was completely dark at around 0600 on 9/22 and 9/26. Dashboard and all exterior lights went out. I had turn them to the on position for see. In both cases the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign and it happen just as was pulling out.

NHTSA ODI 11486554

The headlights spontaneously shut off while driving at night. This has happened multiple times since we have owned the car. Mostly happens when lights are in AUTO mode. Also the headlights will turn on while parked and shut off.

NHTSA ODI 11485886

While headlight switch is in Auto mode, it will frequently turn off the headlights at night while indicating that I changed the headlight mode even though I haven't touched it. This happens on dark rural roads with no other vehicles around so oncoming headlights isn't the issue. This happens multiple times a week and I am forced to quickly turn the headlights manually to the "always on" position before I crash into something. I am quick, but it is dangerous and scares my wife to death. Searching online forums shows this to be an extremely common problem. This happens all of the time so there is not one specific date to select. It has been happening multiple times a week for about a year now. Kia pretends they haven't heard of this issue before but any simple search online will show they are lying.

NHTSA ODI 11485289

My 2017 Kia Sorento, While driving (at night) the head lights will shut off in auto mode. turn the switch off and back on lights come ON, SAFETY TO ME AND OTHERS WHEN YOUR HEAD LIGHTS GO OUT ON A DARK ROAD

NHTSA ODI 11485098

While in Auto Lights mode, the headlights will randomly turn off while driving. Also, while in auto mode, while the car is parked the lights will randomly turn on- causing the battery to die within a few days of the car not being used. It appears to be the Auto lights mode that causes the problem. This is extremely dangerous to this car and other cars on the road, for obvious reasons. Issue has been noted to Kia dealer 2-3 times over the last 2 years. They are not able to replicate the issue. No errors in the computer.

NHTSA ODI 11484422

Headlight Switch is faulty when in Auto. Lights shut off randomly while driving at night and when your car is parked and turned off all the lights will come on and drain your battery. I have had the lights shut off on me a dozen times roughly and had to replace a $300 battery because of the lights turning on and draining it. I have been stuck in bad situations with the battery dead and driving down dark roads at night when headlight failure occurs. I see hundreds of complaints from others online. I cannot understand how this safety hazard has not be addressed or corrected by KIA.

NHTSA ODI 11483516

Headlights go off without warning while in auto driving at night . Has occurred 2 in the month of August 2022. Can be turned back on by twisting the control nob to on. Poses a dangerous situation on the dark county roads that we drive if not quick enough to manually turn back on.

NHTSA ODI 11482965

The "auto" headlight function keeps malfunctioning. It will randomly shut off the headlights and not turn back on. Numerous forums have reported the issue. This is extremely dangerous when driving at night.

NHTSA ODI 11482931

Multiple times when driving at night, all of the vehicle's exterior lights sudden turn off. We have been able to get the lights working again by turning the headlight switch on and off several times. Obviously, this is an extremely hazardous situation leaving us with no visibility in the dark and other vehicles cannot see us wither. We have not had this issue investigated by a dealership yet, but have found many accounts online of this occurring to others. There are no warning lights or any indications of a problem.

NHTSA ODI 11482807

While driving with headlights in “Auto” switch mode, the lights turned off. This occurred during dark goes while driving in a dark area at around 55mph. Switching from “Auto” to “On” turned the headlights and tail lights back on. This seems to be a more common problem when I read about similar issues at https://sorentoforums.com/threads/lights-shutting-off-in-auto-mode.16/ Currently there is no recall for this safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11481685

My KIA has issues with the headlights -- they randomly go off as you drive down the street. I thought I was hitting something but last night I had both hands on the wheel -- and the lights went off going down a busy highway -- thankfully I was familiar with area and it was well lit. They were out 5-10 seconds and they came back on. This also happened to me travelling to Syracuse New York in the mountains which was very dark -- it was very scary and could have been very deadly. I was a bit shook up. I called KIA and they said they don't have enough complaints to do anything. Seriously -- someone could die.

NHTSA ODI 11480046

When driving down the the interstate at night, my headlights just turn off while driving. They are on Auto. This has happened multiple times while driving. I have not took it to be looked at yet. There is no warning light or anything else that lets you know that there is a malfunction. The lights just go off. For them to come back on, I have to manually turn it off and back on again, and they will come back on.

NHTSA ODI 11474851

When “auto” for headlights the lights won’t turn on at night time unless I manually switch it or the lifts will be on and then go off on their own during the night.

NHTSA ODI 11473183

While in Auto mode, lights turn off and on during the day and night. Happens daily.

NHTSA ODI 11472700

Passenger seat belt not on warning no longer works when car is running or not running. Passenger can forget to put on seatbelt and no reminder chime. Problem is continuous. No warning lamps. Has been inspected but not repaired. Headlights come on and go off intermittently. Headlights come on when vehicle is off and not running Draining the battery down. Hard to duplicate. Has not been duplicated or repaired as it's intermittent without warning.

NHTSA ODI 11471982