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 ↗2017 Kia Forte lighting problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Kia Forte have filed 29 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 46,729 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Forte | 5 |
| 2014 Forte | 13 |
| 2015 Forte | 8 |
| 2017 Forte (this page) | 29 |
| 2018 Forte | 6 |
| 2019 Forte | 8 |
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 29 lighting complaints filed for the 2017 Kia Forte, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Kia Forte we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 29.
Owners have filed 29 lighting complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 - BOD157/SA256 CLOSED. REFER TO TSB BOD181/SA327
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB - SERVICE ACTION: OUTSIDE REAR COMBINATION LAMP WATER INTRUSION (SA327) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the outside rear combination lamp pads on some 2017MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 23, 2016 to August 15, 2017, which may exhibit evidence of water intrusion in the outside rear combination lamps.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB -SERVICE ACTION: REAR COMBINATION LAMP WATER INTRUSION - SA256 - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the outer rear combination lamp pads on some 2017MY Forte (YDm) vehicles, produced from May 24, 2016 to October 13, 2016, which may exhibit evidence of water intrusion in the outer rear combination lamps. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace both left and right outer rear combination lamp pads. Before conducting the procedure, verify that the vehicle is included in the list of affected VINs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2017 Kia Forte has widespread, documented lighting issues across headlights, brake lights, and taillights. Low beam headlights are the most frequently cited problem: owners report bulb burnout every 2-6 months, sometimes multiple times per year, with failures occurring even after bulb replacement. Many describe the headlights as too dim for safe night driving even when functioning, forcing reliance on high beams. In several cases, both low beams fail simultaneously, and lights dim or cut out when turn signals are activated, suggesting an electrical circuit defect rather than a bulb issue.
Rear taillights develop water intrusion into the housing causing condensation, corrosion of sockets, and premature bulb failure. Dealerships have replaced gaskets, but the moisture problem recurs. Brake lights and turn signals burn out repeatedly with no dashboard warning when they fail. One owner reported a rear taillight fire while the vehicle was parked.
Owners have spent hundreds on bulb replacements and dealer repairs within 1-2 years of ownership. Some discovered their vehicles' VINs were not included on water-intrusion recalls despite matching the exact symptoms. Kia has cited non-coverage under warranty for some lighting failures, and repeated dealer service calls have not permanently resolved the underlying electrical or design defects.
Same Kia Forte lighting reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Low beam headlight burnout and repeated failures
Low beam headlights burn out repeatedly with short service life. Owners report replacing bulbs every 2-6 months, sometimes multiple times per year. Bulbs often fail after recent replacement. Issue occurs across driver and passenger sides.
When: Common starting within first 2-3 months of ownership; reported at various mileages (26,000-59,000 miles mentioned)
Symptoms owners cite: Bulbs burn out and require replacement every 2-6 months; Both low beams fail simultaneously in some cases; Lights go out while driving at night; Lights temporarily work after opening hood then fail again; Low beams fail when turn signal is activated; Multiple replacements of the same bulb within weeks
Repairs/costs cited: Owners replaced bulbs multiple times; one owner paid for premium bulbs from AutoZone with same result. Kia dealer at one location (Koons KIA Woodbridge) diagnosed fuse replacement needed but failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia manufacturer opened a case in one complaint (#3) and advised coverage of electrical failure. One owner (#23) reported Kia claimed issue not covered under warranty.
Dim headlights inadequate for safe driving
Low beam headlights operate but are too dim to provide adequate visibility at night, forcing owners to use high beams on regular roads and highways. Dimness persists even with new bulb installation.
When: Reported as ongoing issue throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights too dim for night driving; Owner forced to use high beams on highways and regular roads; Dimness occurs even with new premium bulbs installed; Headlights appear to not be on due to low output
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owners report issue persists despite bulb replacement.
Rear taillight water intrusion and corrosion
Water accumulates inside rear taillight housings causing condensation, corrosion of sockets, and bulb burnout. Occurs at lower mileages and persists even after gasket replacement by dealers. Some owners report VINs not included on related recalls.
When: Started within first year of ownership; reported at mileages around 24,000-35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water and condensation accumulate inside taillight lenses; Mildew smell from tail lights; Rear bulb socket corrosion noted by owners; Bulbs burn out prematurely due to moisture; Taillight bulbs fail repeatedly; No warning light on dash when lights fail
Repairs/costs cited: Gaskets replaced by dealership in at least two cases but water intrusion recurred. One owner replaced bulb sockets due to corrosion. Repairs done at owner expense in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner (#21) noted VIN was not on recall list despite having same water leaking problem as recalled vehicles. One complaint (#19) mentions dealership replaced gaskets.
Brake and turn signal light burnout
Brake lights, running lights, and turn signal lights fail and burn out repeatedly. Replacements needed every few months in some cases. Failures occur without warning indicators on dashboard.
When: Within first 2 years of ownership; one owner in 7 months reported 20 light changes total
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lights go out without warning; Turn signal lights fail; Running lights fail; Multiple light failures occur at different times; No warning light illuminates on dash when lights fail; Lights fail after recent replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Bulb replacement performed by owners and independent mechanic; one case involved independent mechanic inspection that identified faulty passenger rear taillight.
Headlight electrical circuit malfunction (turn signal interaction)
Headlights flicker, dim, or fail when turn signal is activated, suggesting electrical circuit defect or voltage drop related to turn signal circuit. Pattern reported consistently across multiple complaints.
When: Ongoing during vehicle operation
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side headlight becomes inoperable when left turn signal is used; Headlights flicker when turn signal activated; Low beam fails when turn signal is initiated; Lights work when hood is opened, fail when turn signal used
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented for this electrical interaction.
Rear taillight fire hazard
One owner reported rear driver-side taillight caught fire while vehicle was parked. Fire department determined cause was faulty wiring. No warning lamp illuminated before fire.
When: While vehicle parked; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Rear taillight caught fire while parked; No warning lamp on dashboard; Fire department response required
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department determined faulty wiring as cause.
Lights staying on when parked (battery drain)
Vehicle lights remain on when parked, discharging battery over time. Owner reported lights staying on for approximately one month.
When: Ongoing issue while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights remain on when vehicle is parked; Battery discharge over time; Issue persisted for approximately one month
Headlight wiring/switch defect (suspected short circuit)
Owners suspect short circuit or wiring defect in light switch based on failure patterns. Both low beams fail simultaneously in multiple cases; bulbs replaced but issue not resolved, indicating electrical rather than bulb issue.
When: Ongoing; both beams failing at same time
Symptoms owners cite: Both low beams fail simultaneously; Headlights go in and out while driving; Issue persists after bulb replacement; Suspected short in light switch or wiring
Repairs/costs cited: One owner (#20) estimated short circuit in light switch based on blinking off with turn signal use.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer in one case (#23) claimed issue not covered under warranty.
Synthesized from 29 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The low beam headlights HID have gone in and out while diving at night..then they have now blown out twice.at $100 dollars a piece..this is unacceptable..!! There seems to be a shot circuit in the light switch itself..it has blinked off when using the turn signal as well which leads me to come to this conclusion..
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Kia forte. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver's side headlight became inoperable without warning. After opening the hood, the headlight worked as designed. Additionally, while using the left turn signal, the driver's side head light became inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The…
Had lighting trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Kia Forte?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 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 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 26,000 and 59,000 miles, with the median around 46,729. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,000; a quarter make it past 59,000. 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/2017/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.