TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Kia Forte lighting problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
1fire
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Kia Forte in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: WATER LEAK/CONDENSATION IN REAR COMBINATION TAIL LAMP(S) - ON SOME 2014~2015MY FORTE (YD) VEHICLES, CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT WATER DROPLETS FORMING INSIDE THE REAR TAIL LAMP LENSES FOLLOWING A RAINSTORM OR AFTER WASHING THEIR VEHICLE. THESE WATER DROPLETS ARE MORE VISIBLE AT NIGHT AND THE QUANTITY OF WATER PRESENT IS MORE THAN JUST A THIN FILM OF CONDENSATION WHICH MAY NOT EASILY EVAPORATE. THIS CONCERN IS CAUSED BY A GAP BETWEEN THE TAIL LAMP HOUSING GASKET AND VEHICLE BODY WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO INFILTRATE INTO THE TAIL LAMP. TO RESOLVE THIS CONCERN, ORDER NEW FOAM GASKETS AND INSTALL THEM BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LAMPS AS REQUIRED AND THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ON SOME 2014-2015 MY FORTE VEHICLES, CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT WATER DROPLETS FORMING INSIDE THE REAR TAIL LAMP LENSES FOLLOWING A RAINSTORM OR AFTER WASHING THEIR VEHICLE. THESE WATER DROPLETS ARE MORE VISIBLE AT NIGHT AND THE QUANTITY OF WATER PRESENT IS MORE THAN JUST A THIN FILM OF CONDENSATION WHICH MAY NOT EASILY EVAPORATE. THIS CONCERN IS CAUSED BY A GAP BETWEEN THE TAIL LAMP HOUSING GASKET AND VEHICLE BODY WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO INFILTRATE INTO THE TAIL LAMP. TO RESOLVE THIS CONCERN, ORDER NEW FOAM GASKETS AND INSTALL THEM BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT TAIL LAMPS AS REQUIRED AND THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AS OUTLINED IN THE TSB.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a recurring pattern: headlights that flicker or shut off completely while driving at night, sometimes triggered by switching to high beam or activating the turn signal. One owner's lights went dark for three to five seconds at highway speed—dangerous and unpredictable. A dealer told one owner they'd fixed the same failure multiple times ($238 repair cited) but no recall exists. Another owner reports the lights won't turn on at all.
Tail light problems run from bulbs that fail repeatedly within a year despite good fuses, to defective gaskets that let water into the trunk and kill both brake lights. Water pooling and mold signal a design flaw.
Dashboard and interior lights flicker during driving. Some owners find headlights self-activating at night when parked in auto mode, draining the battery. Brake lights fail to respond to pedal pressure while the ESC light comes on—bulbs and connections check out fine.
A blower motor connector burning smell at 80,000 miles ties in electrically. Front headlight lens covers are developing long cracks. Dealers acknowledge familiarity with these issues but say Kia's position is that the vehicles operate as designed. Most failures remain unrepaired.
Same Kia Forte lighting reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight flickering and random shutoff
Headlights flicker on and off while driving, sometimes triggered by switching to high beam or using turn signal. Lights may shut off completely for several seconds during night driving, or stay on after manual shutoff. In some cases, lights will not turn on at all. Multiple owners report dealer acknowledgment of the same pattern across several vehicles.
When: 57,700 to 80,000 miles; occurs while driving at night
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker on and off while driving; Headlights go completely out when switching to high beam; Headlights stay on after manual shutoff; Headlights fail to turn on; Lights flicker when turn signal is used
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports $238 repair cost at dealership; dealer stated they had repaired several vehicles with the same issue. Interior switch replacement mentioned in one case. Most failures remain unrepaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was operating as designed; no recalls issued despite multiple complaints
Tail light water leaks and brake light failure
Water enters trunk from defective tail light gaskets with visible cracks, pooling in spare tire compartment. Both brake lights fail as a result of water intrusion. Owner reports fear of additional electrical damage.
When: Mileage not specified; water damage observed in trunk
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling in trunk under tail lights; Mold in trunk; Both brake lights stop working; Water leaking from tail lights into trunk
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; owner inquires about warranty coverage
Tail light bulb failure and housing issues
Driver side tail lights fail repeatedly within short timeframe, requiring multiple replacements. Bulbs show grease accumulation but no melting. Driver side LED daytime running light also fails. Fuses are confirmed good.
When: Multiple failures within less than one year; specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side tail light bulbs fail repeatedly; Bulb grease accumulation without melting; Driver side brake lights go out after repeated tail light failures; Driver side LED daytime running light out
Repairs/costs cited: Bulbs replaced three times in less than a year; fuses checked and confirmed good
Dashboard and interior light flickering
Dashboard lights and interior lights flicker on and off during driving. When headlight switch left in auto position, headlights may self-activate at night when vehicle is parked and drained battery.
When: Occurred multiple times over one-year period; specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flicker on and off while driving; Interior lights flicker; Headlights self-activate at night when parked; Battery drain from unwanted light activation
Brake light switch failure
Brake lights fail to illuminate when brake pedal is depressed. ESC light comes on. Brake pedal feels stiff during braking. Bulbs and connections verified as good. Dealer suspects brake light switch failure.
When: Specific mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights do not illuminate when brake pedal depressed; ESC warning light illumination; Stiff brake pedal feel
Repairs/costs cited: Bulbs and plugs verified good; dealer suspected brake light switch as cause
Blower motor connector burning smell
Burning odor detected while driving, diagnosed as blower motor connector failure. Related to headlight issues and inoperable interior switches on same vehicle.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Blower motor connector replacement needed; not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued per manufacturer statement
Headlight lens cracking
Front headlight cover lenses develop long cracks.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Long cracks in front headlight covers
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Brake light failure on both tail lights. The problem started by finding mold in the trunk. This was caused by water pooling in the bottom space where the spare tire would go if it came with one. Water leaks were observed from both tail lights into the trunk. The culprit seems to be bad gaskets for the tail lights. The gaskets have cracks which let rain water through. The poor design of this part…
Had lighting trouble with your 2014 Kia Forte?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2014 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $250.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 9,612 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,612; a quarter make it past 98,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Forte.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.