2016 Kia Sedona lighting problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V725000Sep 17, 202188,576 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 8, 202696,000 miGACrash1 injuredTowedElectrical SystemLighting

   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 when the accident occurred. The other vehicle drove on the opposite side and stated that the left-hand turn signal was not on. The contact's nephew was unsure if any warning lights…

   NHTSA complaint #11709756 · source
2. Filed Jun 30, 2025OHLighting

   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 but now the passenger side bulb(s) can be replaced and burn out immediately! We have burned through dozens of bulbs since owning the van. On 6/17/25 I took the van to Valvoline in…

   NHTSA complaint #11670277 · source
3. Filed Mar 27, 2025ORLighting

   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, suggesting it should be covered for free because it is a safety hazard. I mentioned that I have noticed other Kia Sedona's with the same problem of several inches of water in the…

   NHTSA complaint #11651208 · source
4. Filed Aug 9, 2024100,000 miTXLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the turn signal was not operating as designed. The contact stated that the turn signal was activating on the opposite side of the turn signal desired. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure…

   NHTSA complaint #11607544 · source
5. Filed Jun 20, 202468,000 miCA1 injuredBody & StructureLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night going downhill, the headlights to the vehicle shut off inadvertently and the contact to almost struck a pedestrian. The contact stated that the vehicle struck a curb, and he became disoriented. The air bags had not deployed. A Police report was filed by the Sacramento Police Department. The contact later sought medical attention with their primary care physician. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11595593 · source
6. Filed Jun 11, 2024MNLighting

   The rear brake / turn signal light housing tends to fill with water. When this occurs the turn signal lights short out. This presents a risk when making turns or switching lanes if the driver is unaware the rear signal is out. There are numerous online articles and videos illustrating the issue. KIA is also aware of the issue, but do not cover it under their warranty or offer repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11593699 · source
7. Filed Dec 19, 202397,000 miTXLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while a State Inspection was being performed on the vehicle, it was discovered that water and condensation were present inside the driver's and passenger’s side rear brake light housing. The contact stated that the vehicle failed the safety inspection due to the failure. The water and condensation were removed from the housing and the light bulbs were replaced but the failure reoccurred during the next rainstorm.…

   NHTSA complaint #11560860 · source
8. Filed Mar 14, 2023CAElectrical SystemLighting

   Headlights will shut off while driving. This sometimes will occur on its own, other times, it appears to be caused when using the turn signal lever. The lights will come back on by touching/moving the lever. This is dangerous and could lead to an accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11511884 · source
9. Filed Jan 13, 2023INLighting

   The taillight housings accumulate standing water due to cracking of the plastic on the back of the tail light housing. This water leads to corrosion of the brake light bulb socket, which then leads to an inoperative brake light.

   NHTSA complaint #11501711 · source
10. Filed Oct 24, 2022100,000 miKYLighting

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Sedona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side low-beam headlight failed to operate. The contact stated that the front driver's side low-beam headlight intermittently illuminated and then failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that he was unsure what repair was performed; however, the vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact then stated that while driving at an…

    NHTSA complaint #11490608 · source
11. Filed Aug 19, 2022TXLighting

    The tail lights continue to stay on even when the car is parked and no one is pressing the brakes. The driver needs to press multiple times the brake pedal to turn them off. I constantly have to buy light bulbs for the rear-end brake lights because of this issue. The Kia Dealership Service Center check the issue and couldn't find anything other than the light bulb was out. This safety issue confuses drivers behind because it doesn't know if the person driving is braking or…

    NHTSA complaint #11480140 · source
12. Filed Feb 19, 2022GALighting

    we received notice for safety recall that the tail lights and turn signal lights could fail and they needed to change something to do with computer.we took it in and left with lights working and 3days later they stopped working again.Kia is refusing to fix it on the recall but it is the same issue.

    NHTSA complaint #11452946 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology