2017 Kia Sorento Electrical System

There’s a big loud buzzing noise every time you open the tailgate. Sometimes it doesn’t lock, you have to try several times press the button it to unlock so that way you could lock it the tailgate down. If you do not make sure the tailgate is locked the tailgate would stay open and fly open while driving.

On October 26, 2025, Sunday, I was cleaning my windows. I discovered both rear windows would not roll up or down. I took it to Valley KIA on October 27, and it was diagnosed that I needed to replace both rear windows with new window regulator. It will be installed on October 29. I told my tech advisor about the window regulator recall on the 2017 KIA Optima and Sportage. He told me there was no recalls on the 2017 Sorento. I had to pay out of pocket to have my vehicle repaired. How could my rear window regulator fail within 4 years? It seems really perplexing for both rear windows to fail at the same time. How can I recover the cost of repairs - because 2017 KIA Optima and Sportage had the same problems. On October 22, 2025, Wednesday, I took my car to KIA Riverside regarding a voluntary recall for a multi-function switch. The rear window regulator behind the front passenger side failed on May 24, 2021. I took my 2017 KIA Sorento to Valley KIA, Fontana. The mechanic made the diagnose and replaced with new window regulator and it was installed on May 25, 2021. It poses a safety hazard if baby, children or adults are in the back seat, and windows does not roll up or down unexpectedly. It is a safety hazard when I cannot secure my vehicle. It is a safety hazard if I had things in the back seat, and it would fly out the window. It is a safety hazard when unable to open or close the window when it is hot, cold, or raining. There was no warning prior to failure. I just heard a grinding like sound, or like sound of plastic breaking when I pushed the button on driver seat to lower or try to roll the window back up.

When the headlights are in auto mode, they turn off and on sporadically. There are times that the car is not even on and the light turn on and I have to manually turn the headlights off. This has been ongoing for months. I've reported the issue to before to the dealership but they could not find any malfunction. This morning, I was driving with my lights on (not auto mode), and when I would use the turn signal (left and right), the lights would turn completely off and come back on. This new problem has been occurring off and on for about a week.

I live in VA, bought my Sorento in 2018. Every winter when the temps drop below freezing my car will intermittently not start. This issue only happens below freezing and it is not every time the temps drop below freezing. Once the sun comes up and the day warms up a bit the car almost always will start. I have taken it to the Kia dealership multiple times over the years and of course it always starts right up, no problem, even in the single digits. I have taken it to a couple of other local repair shops as well to no avail. So far this winter I have had it at the dealership 3 times and finally on the third trip they figured out the issue. The factory installed remote start was pulling too much voltage, even while the car was off, that the brand new battery couldn't start the car. They removed the remote start (told me I could buy another and have it installed for $800) and the car has started every single time. This has left me and my family stranded previously so wanted to help others figure this out so it doesn't take them 6 years and stranded like it did us.

several occasions my headlights have completely gone out. I have to toggle the blinker button to get the lights to come back on. This happened 5 times at 5 am in the morning. I have taken my vehicle into the shop several times. It is in the shop again today. They are saying it is switch that causes headlights to go out. This is dangerous to others on the road and also myself. I have read online there has been over 1300 complaints but have not seen a recall come out. Please investigate why lights are going out sporadically. I had to slam on my breaks because I cannot see in the dark. Thank God other vehicle were not on the road. Please investigate this matter as I am not the only customer that has complained.

UNKNOWN 2017 KIA Sorento v6 XL July 29, 2023 @3am - Parking lights were found to be on. Upon checking, the vehicle was locked. The FOB was used to unlock the doors and I turned the light control switch from Auto to OFF. This turned off all lights and I locked all doors using the FOB. What triggered this event? Concern for battery draining will be an eventual result if this is not investigated?

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that while driving at night at an undisclosed speed, the lights on the instrument panel and the headlights became inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the headlights and instrument panel lights turned on independently. The contact stated that while attempting to unlock the vehicle with the key fob, the vehicle failed to unlock. The contact was able to manually unlock the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V862000 (Trailer Hitches, Electrical System). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

As you are aware this of the "Kia" Challenge running rampant in the US. I am one of these owners of these vehicles. I recently was made aware that my neighbor had a car identical to mine and his was stolen out of his driveway last Sunday morning. I contacted Kia of North America and they stated "We do not have a workaround for this at this time" They will not supply us with Steering Wheel Locks or Immobilizers. The NHTSA needs to seriously investigate this to the high extent as this is causing anguish for people like myself who are fearful of our automobiles that we paid an exuberant amount of money for to be stolen from us. Its also very fearful that the car insurance companies are threatening to non-renew owners of these motor vehicles is VERY VERY concerning. Please address this please give the people like myself some guidance on how to proceed. If my insurance company decides to non renew my automobile insurance I am in deep trouble as I use this car to commute everyday to and from work. Please assist

There is an electrical problem with the Kia Sorento. I had the battery and Alternator replaced when the vehicle shut down and locked up on me. This is the second time in a few months it just shut down while I was driving.

My headlights are randomly turning on and off while I drive. Also when the car is parked and off for hours, the headlights turn on by themselves.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the ABS warning light and other unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that the exterior of the driver's side mirror housing had melted. The contact stated that shortly after she could no longer lock or unlock the doors of the vehicle using the driver's side power door lock switch and the key fob. The contact was also unable to roll down the windows using the window switches. The contact stated that the instrument cluster had also failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that an electrical fire had occurred in the driver's side mirror housing. The independent mechanic disconnected the electrical wiring system of the driver's side mirror housing. The contact stated that she could no longer adjust the driver's side mirror as needed and it could no longer turn in when the vehicle was parked. The contact stated that she was still experiencing electrical failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACE THE BATTERY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER BILL BRYAN KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788) AND WAS ADVISED TO NOT TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AFTER FIVE DAYS, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER TO BE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,744.

IF LIGHTS ARE IN AUTOMATIC THEY WILL SHUT OFF IN THE PITCH BLACK AND YOU HAVE TO TURN THEM ON WITH THE SWITCH. THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT

I WAS DRIVING MY 2017 KIA SORENTO ON THE INTERSTATE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE STOPPED, THE ENGINE STARTED SHAKING AND CAR LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT MY WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED TOGETHER AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS MAY HAVE LEAD TO A FIRE IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME.

MY 2017 KIA SORENTO HEADLIGHTS WHEN OPERATING IN AUTO MODE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING TURN OFF. I HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH MANUALLY TO MAKE THEM COME BACK ON. THIS CREATES AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY / INTERSTATE AS WELL AS BACK ROADS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY KIA ASAP.

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION THE HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY TURN OFF WHEN ON THE AUTO SETTING. THIS HAS HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE VIEWED MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE FROM OTHER OWNERS. THIS HAS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND CITY STREETS WHERE THE ROADS HAVE NO LIGHTING.

THE CAR WILL BE OFF AND LOCKED AND ALL THE LIGHTS WILL PERIODICALLY COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15TIMES IN THE 2YRS WE HAVE OWNED IT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED. WE WERE TOLD THE KIA'S ON THE LOT DO THE SAME THING AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY????

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA SORENTO WITH A TRAILER IN TOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE TRAILER REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA FORT WALTON BEACH (LOCATED AT 343 MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32548, (850) 275-2206), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V862000 (TRAILER HITCHES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12835928. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,100.

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH LIGHTS IN THE "AUTOMATIC" POSITION, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH TO PARKING LIGHTS AS INDICATED ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND BASED ON WHAT I CAN SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS THE LIGHTS WILL TURN BACK ON AS INDICATED BY THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND WHAT I CAN SEE. THE PROBLEM IS MOST COMMON AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BUT HAS OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS AS WELL. IT USUALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING. IF THE HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH IS TURNED MANUALLY TO THE "ON" POSITION, THE LIGHTS WILL FUNCTION CORRECTLY.

TAKATA RECALL THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SHOWS AS "OPEN" ON THE DASH SCREEN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF. THE DOOR IS CLOSED AND SHOWS AS OPEN WHEN DRIVING ELIMINATING IMPERATIVE ON-SCREEN NOTIFICATIONS.