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2020 Kia Sorento Lights Problems

3 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

3
Complaints
Jan 2025Nov 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (3)

mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

the car the engine wast the oil in 1 week that every weeks it has problem in the ring of the engine , we just buy the car they tell us it has it had guarantee talking to the bank and the where I buy the car it don't show . it has a bad smell of wet and burnt oil ..

NHTSA #: 11696904
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jan 2025

1) The headlights went out along with the rear taillights. 2) Could have caused a crash. 3) No. 4)No. 5) No. Someone had to tell me the break lights were out and then we noticed that the headlights were also out as well. We notified the kia dealership of the problems and were told that a diagnostic of the problem would cost $150 plus repairs.

NHTSA #: 11636996
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2023

This morning, I had the software upgrade patch applied to my 2020 Kia Sorento that was supposed to fix the potential theft issue. After that service appointment, I started a 2 hour road trip. We stopped for gas and when we went into the store, I noticed that my car was not sounding the horn when I hit the key FOB twice like normal. I went back to the car and saw that the car was in fact not locked. I was able to lock the car manually, but had I not paid attention, someone could have snuck into my unlocked car. Later in the roadtrip, I needed to clean my windshield using wiperfluid and wipers. I sprayed the wiper fluid, but to my surprise the windshield wipers did not activate. I tried all the settings on the stick to activate the wipers, but they did not activate. I was driving 70mph on a highway and could not see. This was a huge safety problem. Luckily this was momentary as the speed cleared the wiper fluid. But had it been raining, I would not have been able to see which is unsafe for me, my passengers and those around me. Third, I noticed that my headlights were not working as expected. The Auto setting did not seem to be activating as normal. After playing with it, it appears that the Auto and Off settings on the lights seem to be switched. This is unsafe because drivers rely on that Auto setting to turn the lights on when it is necessary. They may think the lights are on when they are not and are not able to be seen by other drivers. By the time I realized these things, the service department at the dealership was already closed. I have tried to leave them a voicemail, but their phone is not set up to accept that. I have sent an email and will be calling them as soon as they reopen on Monday. There are no warning messages to tell the drive about these issues.

NHTSA #: 11520786

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