KIA Sportage Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the KIA Sportage across 25 model years. The 2017 model year has the most (15). The words owners use most often: “rear turn signals” (6% of reports).
- 111exterior lighting complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 39%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.
- Rear turn signals: mentioned in 7 of 111 complaints (6%)
- Stop lamp: mentioned in 7 of 111 complaints (6%)
- High beam: mentioned in 7 of 111 complaints (6%)
- Brake failed: mentioned in 6 of 111 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 111 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury.
KIA Sportage exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2024 Sportage | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Sportage | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 6,000 |
| 2019 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 34,185 |
| 2018 Sportage | 6 | 4% | 5,080 |
| 2017 Sportage | 15 | 4% | 14,260 |
| 2016 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 40,450 |
| 2015 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 78,850 |
| 2013 Sportage | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2012 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 6,955 |
| 2011 Sportage | 12 | 7% | 27,000 |
| 2010 Sportage | 1 | 5% | 156,550 |
| 2009 Sportage | 7 | 9% | 58,000 |
| 2008 Sportage | 7 | 7% | 51,000 |
| 2007 Sportage | 12 | 16% | 66,787 |
| 2006 Sportage | 6 | 5% | 69,500 |
| 2005 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2002 Sportage | 3 | 1% | 123,000 |
| 2001 Sportage | 5 | 2% | 120,000 |
| 1999 Sportage | 5 | 2% | — |
| 1998 Sportage | 6 | 2% | — |
| 1997 Sportage | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 1 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Model years: 2011
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011 Sportage vehicles manufactured March 7, 2011, to June 8, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may intermittently fail.
Risk: Whenever the brake switch is not working, the brake lights will not illuminate, reducing the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions of stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 7, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC121.
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.
I own a 2017 Kia Sportage EX with the factory Snow White Pearl paint finish. The vehicle has been well maintained and has not been involved in an accident or collision. The factory paint on the trunk is peeling and delaminating from the vehicle. The white paint is separating completely from the…
Front headlights went out also rear brake lights now I have a problem with brake light and tailgate lamp staying on when car and lights are off. The suspension has had a issue ever since I bought it it makes awful loud noises when driving and especially hitting bumps in road. Passenger front and…
The oil was leaking somewhere not on the motor not under the car not blowing black smoke. I kept adding oil to it. No oil light. I was told not to park between 2 houses or in my garage it could catch on fire. I took it in several times and they did all kinds of stuff motor wash knock sensor was…
I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK TO kIA IN cLEARWATER 4 X FOR PANEL GOING BLACK. NO LIGHTS, AIR COMES ON AND OFF BY ITSELF. nO BACK UP CAMERA. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THIS TRUCK SINCE I BOUGHT IT. THE MGR. WADE THINKS I AM CRAZY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE PANEL BUT NOT FOR MY TRUCK, WHY? NO ONE WILL FIX…
We only have 58,000 on our car . We had extremely low oil and light never came on it blinked randomly. We still had 2,000 miles left before oil change was due . Car was almost bone dry if we did not check we would have been in big trouble.We were told these cars are known to burn oil and we should…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 111 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage 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 Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “rear turn signals”, in 7 of 111 complaints, followed by “stop lamp” (7).
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.