Lawsuit Investigation: Kia Headlights Keep Going Out, Flickering?

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed over a potential defect that could be causing problems with the headlights in certain Kia vehicles.

Specifically, Kia drivers have reported that their headlights keep going out, sometimes only months after being replaced. Drivers have also reported problems with their headlights flickering, flashing or otherwise not working properly. Many drivers have voiced concern that the headlight issue could be a safety risk, especially if their headlights stop working while driving.

Complaints About Kia Headlight Problems

Kia drivers have complained in online forums such as Reddit and to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about problems with their headlights not working properly. Many drivers mentioned that their headlights keep burning out, flicker, or turn off and on while driving.

Below is a sampling of complaints posted online about Kia headlight problems [sic throughout]:

Anyone having issues with headlights coming on when car is off or going off/flickering when driving???? I reported to nhtsa.gov as this is definitely a safety issue but one complaint won’t warrant a recall investigation. Please share and report if you are having similar issues with headlights. My battery has had to be replaced twice now because the lights come on in middle of night for 2+hours causing it to drain and die. If we don’t complain they won’t lift a finger.”
— 2016 Kia Sorento driver, Kia-Forums.com

My high beams and low beams are starting to shut off randomly. When it happens, my dash shows that i am trying to turn my headlights from auto to another setting, which is not the case. It has happened at night and that poses a danger because i cant see the road and people cant see my car. I have not had it looked at yet. I do see multiple complaints online for multiple different kia models and years. There is no recall and i do not see a TSB.”
— 2016 Kia Optima driver, CarComplaints.com

Why do my headlight bulbs always burn out (2015 optima) I took the dust caps off of the headlights thinking they may be overheating and burning out but my passenger side just went out. I’m having to change the bulb every couple of months and I’m sick of it. Issue seems to be with the passenger side.”
— 2015 Kia Optima driver, Reddit.com

I purchased this Kia in 2014, since then, I have had to repeatedly replace the headlights, tail / brake lights and the license plate lights. The plastic part of the connectors have dried out and are breaking into pieces due to the wiring getting too hot, as the parts that are left are now starting to melt. I have owned several different cars and I have never had to replace the lights as much as in this car.”
— 2013 Kia Forte Koup driver, CarComplaints.com

There have been several times recently when both of the headlights flicker on and off while driving or while parked over the past 2 weeks. Most of the time it seems to happen when using the turn signal, but not always. Most times it has only flickered off for a second and it has happened for as long as several seconds until the driver could quickly turn the lights off and back on again for them to work. This is obviously a safety hazard when driving at night. When the lights flicker, the park lights will stay on.”
— 2015 Kia Sedona driver, CarComplaints.com

Bought a 2013 Kia Soul used in 2016. It’s all fine and dandy until the headlights go out literally every month. I have spent countless dollars … fixing and fixing the wiring the headlights assembly the bulbs and nothing. I got it fixed last night and already it does not work. Kia wants me to bring it in to there service department. A) I don’t have 6 hours to wait. B) They charge an arm and a leg. I just want my headlights to work so I can stop being pulled over and trying to explain my crappy foreign car issues.”
— 2013 Kia Soul driver, CarComplaints.com

When the headlights are on they randomly flicker/shut off and flash back on. When using turn signal the headlights flash off and back on.”
— 2012 Kia Sportage driver, CarComplaints.com

Kia Headlight Recall Info

Kia has not issued a recall covering the reported headlight problems in the Kia models listed above, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the issue for several earlier models.

The NHTSA began looking into 2012 to 2013 Kia Sorentos after receiving over 1,300 complaints about the vehicles’ headlights dimming, flickering and failing. The agency found that the apparent headlight problems were due to a connector that could overheat.

The NHTSA concluded that a safety recall was not necessary given drivers most often had only one low-beam headlight that stopped working and still had access to their high-beam headlights as an alternative. The agency also noted that Kia had begun replacing the connectors as part of an extended warranty.

However, drivers of newer-model Kia Sorentos and other Kia models have complained that the headlight issues still persist, with some drivers calling for recalls to be issued—especially considering the potential safety risk of both headlights going out while driving at night.

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

If filed and successful, a class action lawsuit could help Kia owners recover money for repairs, loss of vehicle value, or other financial harm that may have been linked to the potential headlight defect. A lawsuit could also force Kia to issue a recall or come up with a fix for any affected vehicles.

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