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Kia headlight recalls: which models lose light at night?
This is a small, scattered group: three different lighting faults, each on a single Kia model. On the 2019 Forte with LED headlights, the low beams were built with the wrong aim, so the road ahead is lit poorly and the car fails the federal lamp standard. On the 2020 Telluride, the high beam headlights can simply fail, leaving you without them on dark roads. On the 2025 K5, a software error in the Power-net Domain Controller makes the parking lights flicker — another federal lamp standard violation, but one about being seen rather than seeing. Two of the three need hardware attention; only the K5 is a software fix.
Warning signs to watch for
- Poorly aimed low beams and less light on the road at night (2019 Forte)
- High beams that do not come on when switched or flashed (2020 Telluride)
- Parking lights that flicker (2025 K5)
- None of these notices describes a dashboard warning light or message
Is it safe to keep driving?
No stop-driving or park-outside instruction applies to any of the three. The 2020 Telluride notice says the vehicle can be driven, and it is easiest to live with in daylight or on well-lit roads while you wait for the high beam repair. The misaimed 2019 Forte low beams also cut night visibility, so the same caution helps. The flickering 2025 K5 parking lights are the mildest here; the car is safe to keep driving, it is just harder for others to see.
What the free repair involves
All three repairs are free. For the 2019 Forte, the dealer inspects the low beam aiming and replaces the LED headlights if necessary. For the 2020 Telluride, the dealer inspects the high beams and repairs or replaces them as needed. The 2025 K5 needs only new Power-net Domain Controller software, installed by a dealer or delivered over the air.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| medium | 2 |
| low | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-27 | Kia K5 software glitch makes parking lights flicker | low |
| 2024-02-26 | Kia Telluride high beam headlights may stop working | medium |
| 2018-10-31 | Kia Forte LED headlights aimed wrong, dimming road view | medium |
Common questions
Can't I just have the headlight aim adjusted?
The 2019 Forte recall is not an adjustment job. Kia's remedy is for the dealer to inspect the low beam aiming and replace the headlights if they were built wrong, free of charge, so the car meets the federal standard again.
Will my K5's parking light update install itself?
It can. The 2025 K5 Power-net Domain Controller software is updated either over the air or by a dealer, free of charge. If your car has not taken the update on its own, book the dealer visit instead of waiting indefinitely.
Is a lighting recall really worth a trip to the dealer?
Yes, and it costs nothing. Failed high beams and misaimed low beams cut how far you can see at night, and flickering parking lights make your car harder for other drivers to spot. Owners can reach Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.