KIA Sedona Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Sedona across 17 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (37). The words owners use most often: “turn signal” (20% of reports).
- 156exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Turn signal: mentioned in 31 of 156 complaints (20%)
- Low beam: mentioned in 14 of 156 complaints (9%)
- Brake switch: mentioned in 9 of 156 complaints (6%)
- High beams: mentioned in 9 of 156 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 102 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 156 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 3 an injury.
KIA Sedona exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Sedona | 1 | 10% | — |
| 2020 Sedona | 2 | 10% | 60,000 |
| 2019 Sedona | 2 | 5% | — |
| 2018 Sedona | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2017 Sedona | 11 | 8% | 70,000 |
| 2016 Sedona | 37 | 12% | 72,000 |
| 2015 Sedona | 17 | 12% | 48,725 |
| 2014 Sedona | 1 | 3% | 117,000 |
| 2012 Sedona | 3 | 3% | 96,963 |
| 2010 Sedona | 4 | 13% | 105,500 |
| 2009 Sedona | 7 | 15% | 78,645 |
| 2008 Sedona | 15 | 9% | 85,566 |
| 2007 Sedona | 13 | 8% | 85,000 |
| 2006 Sedona | 33 | 9% | 69,406 |
| 2004 Sedona | 3 | 2% | 12,000 |
| 2003 Sedona | 2 | 1% | 38,228 |
| 2002 Sedona | 3 | 2% | 105,429 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Electrical system:software; exterior lighting:turn signal
Model years: 2015, 2016, 2017
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sedona vehicles. The Smart Junction Box (SJB) software logic may not properly interpret the signals received from the multifunction switch, which could cause the turn signal to activate in the opposite direction of what the driver intended.
Risk: A turn signal activating in the opposite direction of what was intended by the driver increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC217.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2006, 2007
Problem: Huyndai-kia is recalling 139,844 my 2006-2007- sedona, sportage, sorento and my rondo and amanti vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (esc) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk: Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 17, 2009. Owners may contact kia's consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while her nephew was driving, the nephew made a left-hand turn, and the vehicle was hit on the front right quarter panel. The contact stated that her nephew had turned on the left-hand signal and was halfway through making the left turn…
For starters, my lights go out every six months on queue. Cannot find a reason why. My car sputters or shutters when accelerating. I heard other Kia models have recalls due to the same thing. I have had my car in the shop multiple times and no one can figure out why it is doing it. It feels like…
Rain water continually collects in both brakelight/taillight assemblies at the rear of the van. This causes the bulbs for the turn signal and brake light to burn out. This has been an issue since we purchased the vehicle in 2016. Initially, we could change the bulb(s) and they would last a while…
The taillights leak, fill with water, and the bulbs short out. When this happens, the rear lights (taillights, brake lights reverse lights, turn signals) stop functioning. This occurs on a taillight for a vehicle that has never had an accident. I went to the dealer and asked them to fix this…
Low Head Lights do not work. High beams and fog lights work. This seams to be a KIA problem across makes and models. Why has a recall not been issued?
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sedonas have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 156 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the KIA Sedona. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sedona exterior lighting?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Sedona?
The most frequent phrase is “turn signal”, in 31 of 156 complaints, followed by “low beam” (14).
Other KIA Sedona problems
See all KIA Sedona problems.