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2013 Sorento headlight issue

21K views 14 replies 9 participants last post by  VickieJ 
#1 ·
So the passenger headlight doesn't work on the Sorento. Probably bulb I figure as I run the headlights all the time since we don't get Day Time Running lights. Dumb move for the USA market but it is what it is. Pull the cover behind the bulb to find the connector at the base of the bulb has melted away. Obviously a high resistance connection that has heated and failed. Where in the heck do you find replacement connectors (2 pin) that will fix this?
 
#2 ·
Does not help your issue, but my 2013 Sorento has day light Running lights. It has a switch on the turn signal lever to turn on/off. Mine is a EX, but as I remember the LX does not have them. Is that your model? Please post back if you find connectors, might come in handy some time.
 
#6 ·
KIA knows of the problem and has a "Voluntary Service Campaign" to fix the problem. In the letter I received, it states "Kia has advised its authorized dealers to replace the halogen low beam connector wiring harnesses on the affected vehicles. This work will be performed at Kia's expense at no cost to you." The letter is dated May 5, 2017. If the dealer does not help you then call Kia's Consumer Assistance Center at 1-800-333-4542 in U.S. or through the owner's section of Kia's web site.
 
#9 · (Edited)
bboi68, the letter was mailed to me from KIA. I looked at the letter again and see that it said 2011 and 2012, some model specific. So not everyone got the letter as it was VIN specific. On the bill it states: 2 92165-1U000QQK BULB HOLDER SERVICE then below that is; COMPLETED SC149 LOW BEAM CONNECTOR RECALL

Here is a link to the part #92165-1U000QQK : https://www.quirkparts.com/oem-parts/kia-bulb-holder-service-921651u000qqk

And here is a link that speaks about the SC149 recall with information about other things that can cause bulb failures: https://www.kia-forums.com/2011-201...-side-headlight-lowbeam-constantly-burns.html

On a side note: I had a 2000 Nissan Quest van that had the light bulb socket failure on both headlights. When the first bulb stopping working, I thought it was a burnt out light bulb. When I went to change the bulb, I seen the old bulb was still good. I tested for voltage at the socket and had none. Tested for voltage behind the socket and was good. I went to the parts store and bought a new socket, cut the old socket out, soldered and shrink tube the wires to the new socket, and The headlight worked again. About a year later the other headlight stopped working and I just went and replaced the socket and it fixed the light. A bad socket is nothing new to me and as cars are made cheaper, well corners get cut as nothing is made any heavier than it absolutely needs to be.

and some additional info was found:

Bulletin Number: VSC149TSBR1
Bulletin Date: 05-12-2017
Component: 114000 electrical system:wiring
Summary:
Tsb: sc149r1 - halogen headlamp low beam connector replacement (sc149) - this bulletin provides the procedure to replace the halogen headlamp low beam connector wiring harnesses on some 2011-2012my sorento (xma) vehicles, produced from apri
 
#10 ·
Thank you so much for the help Jolt2, that is exactly my plan. My headlights have always burned up sooner than they would on other cars, but for the last few months it turns off randomly, and will turn on when I play with the harness cables. My plan originally was just to solder on a new h11 pigtail but I was hoping kia may have had this voluntary service campaign available to me. Oh well, I think I am going to try one of these aftermarket ceramic h11 sockets, apparently they withstand heat better. Thanks again for the help Mr. Jolt2, I hope this thread helps others in the same boat as it helped me.
 
#11 ·
I found replacement H11 sockets with pigtails at my local NAPA. I had my first replacement burn out after about a year and found some with a bit heavier gauge wire (still at the local NAPA) and replaced both low beam sockets. they factory ones were melted and making intermittent contact. I asked at the dealer about the headlights and no one there even mentioned that this was a common problem or they would service them under warranty. go figure. the replacement sockets were around $10 a piece.
 
#12 ·
Update for everybody:
I just received a letter recalling the wire harness for the low beam headlights, there seems to be a way to request reimbursement for whatever you paid to fix the problem. I am not sure if they will reimburse me as I did it myself, but I will try nonetheless. Thankfully they have finally addressed the headlight wiring issue, seems to be a big problem with these Kia vehicles.
 
#14 ·
I to received the letter about the extended headlight coverage that I will keep in the glove box along with all the other Kia letters I have gotten. I was surprised I got the letter as I have already had the "Voluntary Service Campaign" recall done on my headlights.
 
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