NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
18 reportsClear category filter73,000 miles · Jul 31, 2026
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights were flickering or turning off unexpectedly. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, bu…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights were flickering or turning off unexpectedly. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
NHTSA ODI #11753948
112,000 miles · Apr 17, 2026
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while the headlights were set to automatic mode while driving at night, the headlights unexpectedly turned off independently. However, while the headlights were manually turned to the on position, the headlights remained operational and without failure. The dealer was not…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while the headlights were set to automatic mode while driving at night, the headlights unexpectedly turned off independently. However, while the headlights were manually turned to the on position, the headlights remained operational and without failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #11731861
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2025
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered intermittently and turned off occasionally without warning. The headlights eventually resumed normal operation while the contact continued driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was inform…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered intermittently and turned off occasionally without warning. The headlights eventually resumed normal operation while the contact continued driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting). The dealer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the manufacturer provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11655769
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2024
Exterior LightingCrash
My Kia Consumer Care Case #[XXX] assigned May 2024. For Lights/Headlights/Illumination Safety hazards. My complaint purpose is to explain & show docs. of my Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Viewing while using the headlights during the night. See attached snapshots taken on [XXX], [XXX] and [XXX] showing the Safety…
Read full complaint
My Kia Consumer Care Case #[XXX] assigned May 2024. For Lights/Headlights/Illumination Safety hazards. My complaint purpose is to explain & show docs. of my Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Viewing while using the headlights during the night. See attached snapshots taken on [XXX], [XXX] and [XXX] showing the Safety Hazards Interrupted Illumination LED Headlights/Loss of Headlight Visibility and indicating a Safety Risk with me having another crash. Due to this Safety Hazard issue, my vehicle safety driving is ONLY DURING THE DAY light DUE TO Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Headlight Visibility. I have also attached docs pertaining to the KIA RECALL #SC130 HEADLIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, which states the "consequence as Loss of Headlight Illumination and reduced visibility, in addition to an increase to the risk of a crash. I've already had a crash. I need this Safety Hazards Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Headlight Visibility and indicating a Safety Risk resolved with a recommended Safety Repair to its earliest time. Thank You [XXX] [XXX] 8/18/24 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11609235
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2023
Exterior Lighting
The lights malfunctioned, by flickering and finally going out. Putting me and others at risk by not having my lights working properly. There were NO warnings, prior to the incident. It has happened numerous times, scaring me to death. I am 86 years old and wasn't prepared to have my lights go out and not be able to see where …
Read full complaint
The lights malfunctioned, by flickering and finally going out. Putting me and others at risk by not having my lights working properly. There were NO warnings, prior to the incident. It has happened numerous times, scaring me to death. I am 86 years old and wasn't prepared to have my lights go out and not be able to see where I was going, or if others could see me. It started in 2017 and has happened often since then. I didn't know what was wrong and the Dealer said they didn't know anything about it BUT it continues to happen. Now the dealers want $159.00 to diagnose a faulty light problem that is DANGEROUS TO ME AND OTHERS.
NHTSA ODI #11550392
42,200 miles · Oct 4, 2023
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s and passenger side headlights intermittently flickered then turned off and turned on. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact re…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s and passenger side headlights intermittently flickered then turned off and turned on. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 42,200.
NHTSA ODI #11548206
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2023
Exterior Lighting
While driving at night, the headlights flicker and then just turn off automatically. When I tried to manually turn them on, they will flicker again and then turn off automatically again. There is a recall on this exact thing happening to the same year, make and model as my car but I am told it doesn't apply to my VIN #. I am a …
Read full complaint
While driving at night, the headlights flicker and then just turn off automatically. When I tried to manually turn them on, they will flicker again and then turn off automatically again. There is a recall on this exact thing happening to the same year, make and model as my car but I am told it doesn't apply to my VIN #. I am a single woman on a major highway (I 75 in Florida) with children, at night, when this happened and had to drive over 5 miles to the nearest exit where I felt safe to pull off the road. There was no warning that this was going to happen, and it continues to happen every time I use my headlights. This hinders me from night driving.
NHTSA ODI #11537695
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2022
Air BagsExterior LightingUnknown Or Other
The PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG will be blocked from opening correctly in the event of a front end collision. The AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS lights flash on and off with small changes in ambient light causing distractions to oncoming vehicles and also inhibiting driver's visibility in low light situations. There is another sensor that i…
Read full complaint
The PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG will be blocked from opening correctly in the event of a front end collision. The AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS lights flash on and off with small changes in ambient light causing distractions to oncoming vehicles and also inhibiting driver's visibility in low light situations. There is another sensor that is impacted by the defect, but I'm not sure of it's function. All of these issues are caused by well known dash cover defects on k900s like mine, as well as Hyundai Equus, and other names in the US and around the world. It may affect other Kia car's as well, such as the Forte. IN SUMMARY: DASH COVER ADHESIVE AND SECUREMENT LET LOOSE AND IS IMPEDING PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, INTERFERING WITH PROPER FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHTS, AND COVERING DASH MOUNTED SENSORS. The defect was brought to a dealership for Goodwill consideration, as many cars have been repaired by Hyundai/Kia under goodwill warranty even before it progressed to a safety issue by covering the airbag and dash sensors. However, the District Parts and Service Manager was only concerned with my prior patronage, not with the quality nor safety of their cars. I escalated this to the 2nd level of Kia Customer service, and it was initially declined before the 2nd level representative even looked at the pictures or description of the safety defects. The 2nd level Rep reported that the DPSM would not return his calls. The 2nd level Rep had some contact with Kia engineers, but they determined that leather and/or hard plastic over the airbag opening would somehow not be a safety issue. The headlights were never discussed in Kia's "investigation." Eric, the 2nd level Rep initially encouraged me to NOT file with NHTSA because he claimed all goodwill requests were reported to NHTSA by Kia Corporation!
NHTSA ODI #11476321
22,000 miles · Aug 31, 2020
Exterior Lighting
AUTO HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WHEN USING TURNING SINGLE. LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED IN 2016 DUE TO RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11352359
61,000 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA K900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATING THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OBSERVING THE VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE FACING DOWNWARDS. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER GERALD KIA OF NAPERVIL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA K900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATING THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER OBSERVING THE VEHICLE, THEY NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMPS WERE FACING DOWNWARDS. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE DEALER GERALD KIA OF NAPERVILLE (1661 AURORA AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540, (630) 445-2542) WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AUTO MODE FOR THE HEADLAMPS FAILED DUE TO THE MOTOR FAILING AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V210000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND OPENED A CASE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #11344304
Official recalls
2Sep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Apr 12, 2016
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 K900 vehicles manufactured December 18, 2013 to January 11, 2016 and equipped with LED headlights. In the affected vehicles, when using the multi-function light switch in "AUTO" mode, electrical resistance may build in the switch and result in the headlights flickering or turning off when driving.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of headlight illumination may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the multi-function switch, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC130.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.