NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Exterior Lighting complaints
56 reportsClear category filter20,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO CHANGE THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT, SINSE THEN I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH AT LEAST TWICE, ASSORTED TAIL LIGHTS EACH SIDE AT LEAST THREE TIMES, THE FRONT DOME LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS BUT CAN BE SWICHED ON, NOW DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF ONE AT A TIME SOM…
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THE DAY AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAD TO CHANGE THE RIGHT BRAKE LIGHT, SINSE THEN I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE HEADLIGHTS BOTH AT LEAST TWICE, ASSORTED TAIL LIGHTS EACH SIDE AT LEAST THREE TIMES, THE FRONT DOME LIGHT WILL NOT COME ON WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOORS BUT CAN BE SWICHED ON, NOW DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING OFF ONE AT A TIME SOME CAN BE WIGGLED AND COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS HAS GONE FROM ANNOYING TO A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I READ A LOT OF PEOPLE ON LINE WITH 06 SORENTOS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEELER THAT IT WILL COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX. I FEEL LIKE ALL THE OTHERS THIS SHOULD BE KIA'S RESPONIBILITY TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500864
65,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED WHEN NOT DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED WHEN NOT DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V130000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 03/01/13*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10491652
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A MINIMUM OF ONE TIME PER YEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE THE BULBS FOR THE LIGHTS BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REAR LIGHTS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A MINIMUM OF ONE TIME PER YEAR. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY REPLACE THE BULBS FOR THE LIGHTS BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE RECURRING FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA ODI #10448167
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeat Belts
SINCE PURCHASING MY SORENTO IN 2006 I HAVE REPLACED ALL 3 OF MY HEAD, FOG, AND BRAKES LIGHTS MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. ALSO THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE THAT DISPLAYS THE TEMPERATURE, COMPASS, ETC HAS NEVER REPORT ACCURATE READING. THERE WERE TIME IN THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WERE 20 DEGREES HOWEVER IT WOULD DISPLAY THAT …
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SINCE PURCHASING MY SORENTO IN 2006 I HAVE REPLACED ALL 3 OF MY HEAD, FOG, AND BRAKES LIGHTS MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. ALSO THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE THAT DISPLAYS THE TEMPERATURE, COMPASS, ETC HAS NEVER REPORT ACCURATE READING. THERE WERE TIME IN THE WINTER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WERE 20 DEGREES HOWEVER IT WOULD DISPLAY THAT IT WAS 50 DEGREES. THEN THEY ARE TIMES WHEN THE PASSENGERS SEATBELT LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THEY IS SOMEONE SEATING IN IT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT KIA ABOUT THE ABOVE CONCERNS ONLY TO HAVE HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447325
91,000 miles · Jan 28, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeat Belts
THIS 2006 KIA SORENTO WAS PURCHASED NEW (ONLY OWNER) AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS FOLLOWS: 1. THE POWER CONTROL TO BOTH SIDE MIRRORS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. 2. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL SUDDENLY LOCK ON THEIR OWN JUST BY OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR. 3. THE FRONT AND…
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THIS 2006 KIA SORENTO WAS PURCHASED NEW (ONLY OWNER) AND HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AS FOLLOWS: 1. THE POWER CONTROL TO BOTH SIDE MIRRORS NO LONGER FUNCTIONS. 2. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL SUDDENLY LOCK ON THEIR OWN JUST BY OPENING AND CLOSING A DOOR. 3. THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW WASHERS NO LONGER WORK (SAFETY HAZARD); DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $500 TO FIX WITHOUT EVEN SAYING WHAT IS EXACTLY WRONG. 4. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT OR SHORT OUT FAR TOO OFTEN, CREATING SEVERE SAFETY HAZARDS. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE LIGHTS ON A VEHICLE SO OFTEN, AND I HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 12 DIFFERENT VEHICLES IN MY LIFE. 5. SEAT BELT STRAPS NO LONGER RETRACT PROPERLY AND PLACES A LOT OF TENSION ON YOUR LAP/WAIST WHEN USED. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY SAME MODEL FOR THE SAME REASONS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BETTER PROTECT ITS CITIZENS FROM POOR QUALITY AND DANGEROUS FLAWS IN SUCH VEHICLES. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FORCED RECALL FOR THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL. I AM FILING FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE U.S. CONGRESS AS WELL. THERE SHOULD BE A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF KIA/HYUNDAI BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE SAME ISSUES AND COMPLAINTS ON THEIR CAR MODELS AS WELL, INCLUDING BOTH KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS WHICH ARE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS THAT YOU DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS, YET IT IS COSTING TAXPAYERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND EVEN RISKING THEIR LIVES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445661
60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
2006 SORENTO EX WAS BOUGHT IN 2009, WITH 56,000 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 103,000 MILES AND IS A CONSTANT ELECTRICAL BATTLE. HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ONLY WORKS WHEN MANUALLY SWITCHED "ON," AND THE "A/C" SETTING CONTROL DIAL ONLY LIGHTS UP AFTER YOU FIDDLE WITH IT. THE DRIVER'S SE…
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2006 SORENTO EX WAS BOUGHT IN 2009, WITH 56,000 MILES. CURRENTLY HAS 103,000 MILES AND IS A CONSTANT ELECTRICAL BATTLE. HAVE REPLACED NUMEROUS HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHT ONLY WORKS WHEN MANUALLY SWITCHED "ON," AND THE "A/C" SETTING CONTROL DIAL ONLY LIGHTS UP AFTER YOU FIDDLE WITH IT. THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR HAS PARTIALLY DIED SO THAT THE SEAT RECLINES BACK BUT WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT UP AGAIN. THE FRONT TWO WINDOW MOTORS SEEM TO BE ON THEIR LAST LEGS. THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR MECHANISM DIED LAST YEAR AND WOULD MAKE AN AWFUL, LOUD BUZZING SOUND WHENEVER THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON WOULD BE PRESSED. THE INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT. IT'S QUITE SCARY TO BE DRIVING ALONG AT NIGHT AND EVERYTHING ON THE PANEL GOES BLACK. HAVE REPLACED BATTERY ONCE SINCE BUYING IT WHEN IT DIED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444988
48,000 miles · Dec 31, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS BOTH SIDES WILL GO OUT ON REGULAR BASIS WITHOUT WARNING -DASH LIGHTS GO OUT ON REGULAR BASIS-A/C UNIT WILL SHORT OUT CAUSING BURN SMELL -WINDOW SWITCHES AND TAIL LIGHTS WILL STOP WORKING ON REGULAR BASIS I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10441930
96,000 miles · Nov 3, 2011
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
MY 2006 KIA SORENTO HAS 96000 MILES ON IT AND IT SEEMS THAT THE HEAD LIGHT OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE HEAD LIGHT WILL GO OFF BUT YOU IF YOU TAP THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY IT WILL COME BACK ON AS IF THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON IF YOU TURN IT TO THE ON POSITION BUT I…
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MY 2006 KIA SORENTO HAS 96000 MILES ON IT AND IT SEEMS THAT THE HEAD LIGHT OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE HEAD LIGHT WILL GO OFF BUT YOU IF YOU TAP THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY IT WILL COME BACK ON AS IF THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ALSO, THE DOME LIGHT WILL COME ON IF YOU TURN IT TO THE ON POSITION BUT IF YOU PUT IT ON THE DOOR POSITION IT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. AGAIN THAT WOULD BE A FAILURE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE KIA WILL NOT START AFTER REPLACING A HEADLIGHT BULB. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE NOT RELATED BUT THE HEAD LIGHT WENT OUT SO I REPLACED IT AND THEN I WOULDN'T START RIGHT AFTER CHANGING THE LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434133
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2011
Exterior Lighting
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AT LEAST A HEAD LIGHT AND/OR TAIL LIGHT ABOUT ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS SINCE I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A SHORT SOMEWHERE BUT NONE TO BE FOUND; PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424660
32,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
ALL MY LIGHTS BOTH INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ARE BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY TIMES ALSO. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE REPLACED EVERY 4-5 MONTHS NOW, FIRST STARTING OUT EVERY YEAR HAS NOW DROPPED TO MONTHS. THE BATTERY LASTS FROM 10-13 MONTHS BEFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED. NOW PARKING & BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BURNIN…
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ALL MY LIGHTS BOTH INTERNAL & EXTERNAL ARE BURNING OUT EVERY FEW MONTHS. AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY TIMES ALSO. MY HEADLIGHTS ARE REPLACED EVERY 4-5 MONTHS NOW, FIRST STARTING OUT EVERY YEAR HAS NOW DROPPED TO MONTHS. THE BATTERY LASTS FROM 10-13 MONTHS BEFORE HAVING TO BE REPLACED. NOW PARKING & BRAKE LIGHTS ARE BURNING OUT AT A RATE OF ABOUT EVERY 6 MONTHS. CALLED MY LOCAL KIA SERVICE REP AND HE SAYS MY DASH AND CONSOLE WOULD HAVE TO BE RIPPED OUT TO REPAIR, AND OF COURSE IT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.ALSO MY INTERIOR LIGHTS ON DASH,CONSOLE AND INSIDE ON THE HEADER NO LONGER WORK. HAVE CHECKED ALL FUSES AND CAN FIND NOTHING UNUSUAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423771
NHTSA investigations
1DP21003 · Throttle Control System Vulnerabilities
Opened Nov 12, 2021 · Closed Jun 20, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:throttle
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2007-2016 Hyundai Santa Fe, MY 2006-2015 Hyundai Sonatas are all part of the subject population. The petition was originally filed as a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire that can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under reference (ODI) number 11439675.On November 12, 2021, ODI opened Defect Petition DP21-003 to evaluate the petitioner?s request. ODI performed trend analyses of the VOQs related to vehicle speed control issues for all the subject vehicles and found that none of the 52 Model/Model Year Hyundai/Kia vehicles demonstrated any actionable trend that warranted an investigation.Petitioners submitted 1119 VOQs and non-VOQ cases in which sudden uncommanded acceleration (SUA) or loss of motive power (LOMP) incidents were alleged.For the 1119 reports, 220 were incidents involving crashes, from which 69 subject Hyundai-Kia vehicles were inspected by Hyundai/Kia dealer technicians, Hyundai/Kia engineers, and/or third-party representatives.ODI found the inspections identified no vehicle defects related to the ETC system.Of the 220 crash-involved reports, 13 Event Data Recorder (EDR) records were downloaded successfully and 11 of those indicated driver error: (i.e.) pedal misapplication.A condition where the accelerator pedal is mistakenly applied instead of the brake pedal when the driver wants to stop the vehicle.In addition, ODI reviewed a scientific journal paper published in Forensic Science International in 2016 by Mr. Park et al ., as well as related test videos. ODI does not believe there is any evidence of uncontrollable SUA occurrences in any of the tests reviewed. NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) reviewed the allegations regarding the potential noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 124.Based on the information provided, the Agency concludes there is insufficient information for us to determine if a possible non-compliance exists.Finally, both Hyundai and Kia informed ODI that all their vehicles manufactured after 2012 were equipped with an ETC management system, in which the engine speed will go to idle when the system sees signals from both the brake pedal and accelerator pedal at the same time; this is commonly known as the brake-throttle override system.After thoroughly assessing the material submitted by the petitioner, information already in NHTSA's possession, information submitted by Hyundai and Kia in response to an Information Request letter, and the potential risks to safety implicated by the petitioner's allegation, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. After full consideration of appropriate factors, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA?s reasons for denial of the petition will be published.