TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH REPAIR (WTY031) - 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 associated with the ‘Multifunction Switch Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY031) to repair the multifunction switch knob on 2016-2018MY Sorento (UMa) vehicles, produced at Kia Georgia from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018, which may exhibit an intermittent headlamp flickering. The vehicle’s warranty for this issue will be extended from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, sta
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Kia Sorento lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Kia Sorento have filed 92 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 35,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
92
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Sorento | 42 |
| 2014 Sorento | 63 |
| 2015 Sorento | 79 |
| 2016 Sorento | 45 |
| 2017 Sorento (this page) | 92 |
| 2018 Sorento | 27 |
| 2019 Sorento | 16 |
| 2020 Sorento | 3 |
1crash
What stands out
Of the 14 model years of Kia Sorento we track for lighting problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 92.
Owners have filed 92 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.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC330) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles, manufactured from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC330) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles, manufactured from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC330) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to replace the multi-function switch knob with improved parts on certain 2016-2018 MY Sorento vehicles, manufactured from October 27, 2014 through March 7, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC330) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC330.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report that headlights shut off unexpectedly while driving in auto mode, typically lasting 2–10 seconds before coming back on. The problem occurs at all speeds and road conditions, but is most dangerous at night on dark roads. Many owners say it happens multiple times weekly or monthly, while some experience it only occasionally over a year. When lights cut out, the dashboard indicator shows the switch has changed modes—usually to parking lights or manual—even though the driver never touched it.
Several owners have had their lights completely fail while driving 55–70 mph on highways and dark county roads, with no warning lights or messages beforehand. Toggling the light switch off and on generally restores the lights temporarily. Some owners report the problem occurs especially after using the turn signal, though this isn't consistent.
Separately, headlights and tail lights activate on their own while the vehicle is parked, locked, and powered off—sometimes hours or days later. This drains batteries repeatedly; multiple owners replaced batteries within two years. One owner documented 25 instances of the main failure over 49,000 miles.
Dealers consistently cannot reproduce the intermittent issue during business hours. One repair facility diagnosed a bad electronic control unit and replaced it, but the lights continued to fail afterward. One owner was quoted $500 for wiring replacement. One owner received a warranty notification from Kia but the dealer had no replacement part in stock. Owners report finding hundreds of complaints online about the 2017 model specifically, and note that Canada has issued a recall for this issue.
One owner also reported headlight lens material (polycarbonate) showing blistering, peeling, and cracking in an accelerating pattern before the 3-year ownership mark—unusual deterioration not seen in their previous four Kias.
Same Kia Sorento lighting reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Headlights randomly disable in auto mode while driving
In auto mode, headlights shut off unexpectedly during night or daytime driving, lasting 2-10 seconds before turning back on. Dashboard sometimes shows the switch has been changed to parking lights or manual position even though the driver never touched it. Occurs at all speeds and road types.
When: Intermittently, starting in first year of ownership; some owners report multiple instances weekly, others monthly; mileage range 30,000-104,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights turn off without warning while in auto mode; Dashboard indicator shows switch has changed modes despite no driver input; Loss of visibility at night; Manual toggling (off/on) briefly restores lights; Happens while turning, sometimes preceded by turn-signal use
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot reproduce intermittent issue; one owner reports dealer quoted $500 for wiring replacement; one repair facility diagnosed bad electronic control unit and replaced it, but lights continued to fail after replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner mentions TSB was started; Canada issued recall RC184; owners report Kia told dealers unable to replicate issue, so no fix provided; one owner received warranty notification but Kia dealership lacked replacement part
Headlights activate while vehicle is parked and powered off
Headlights and tail lights turn on by themselves while the vehicle is parked, locked, and powered off with no keys in the ignition. This can occur hours or days after parking and drains the battery.
When: Intermittently, can happen minutes to hours or days after vehicle is shut off
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights and tail lights turn on while vehicle is off and parked; No keys in ignition, no occupants in vehicle; Can occur at night, sometimes captured on neighbor cameras; Battery becomes dead or severely depleted; Manual lock button presses or turning lights off/on does not always resolve
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced battery twice within two years due to repeated overnight light activation; one owner had dead battery after lights stayed on overnight
Turn-signal stalk causes unintended light and signal behavior
After completing a turn, the multi-function switch lever returns to home position but unintended actions occur—right turn signal activates after left turn is complete, or the headlight switch changes modes automatically. Lights may flicker or go off when turn signal is activated.
When: Intermittently during driving
Symptoms owners cite: Right turn signal activates after completing left turn; Switch appears to change position to off or parking lights after turn is complete; Headlights may turn off when turn signal is used; Multiple instances reported by same owner
Headlight lens physical deterioration—blistering, peeling, cracking
Headlight polycarbonate plastic lenses develop blistering, peeling, and cracking in an accelerating pattern. Deterioration started before 3-year warranty expired. Owner has owned 4 Kias previously with no similar issue.
When: Deterioration began April 2023, before 3-year ownership mark
Symptoms owners cite: Polycarbonate blistering on both headlight lenses; Peeling of lens coating; Cracking of lens material; Accelerating deterioration pattern; Concern about future nighttime visibility compromise
High-beam control malfunction
High beams do not engage reliably. When pull-to-engage is used, high beams may not activate. Only way to turn them off is to turn headlight knob all the way off and back on.
Symptoms owners cite: High beams will not turn on when lever is pulled toward driver; High beams stay on and cannot be turned off using normal lever; Requires complete off/on cycle of main headlight knob to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer told owner nothing is wrong with high beams or brakes
Synthesized from 92 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting trouble with your 2017 Kia Sorento?
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 Sorento?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 92 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 28,000 and 65,000 miles, with the median around 35,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 65,000. 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/Sorento.
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.