2014 Hyundai Sonata headlight problems

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Brake lights not working. Checked fuses and bulbs, neither are the issue.

NHTSA complaint #11697087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The turn signal stem assembly randomly begins failing after several years (approx 5 years). Issues will be noticed while driving in the dark. When turn signal is applied in both directions, occasionally headlights will turn off or flash causing interior lighting to change to brighter daylight settings at the same time. This can be disorienting for the driver as well as others on the road. To remedy the incorrect lighting situation, the driver needs to jiggle the turn signal stem assembly and normal lighting will resume. At subsequent turns, the entire situation repeats itself. Other drivers may believe they are being alerted to something or potentially angered, causing misunderstandings or altercations on the road. My original turn signal stem assembly was replaced after about 5 years due to this series of events. Now, after approximately 5 more years, the exact same symptoms have begun again with the authentic Hyundai OEM replacement parts.

NHTSA complaint #11624381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Electrical system going out only at night because headlights and inside lights are turning off for a few seconds only while driving at night this has happened multiple times since august and is becoming a safety concern while driving at night it's a safety concern because this has happened incoming traffic on roads and highways. The vehicle hasn't been inspected by dealership I tried calling to get an appointment but was told there is a fee and if something electrical a may have a cost per hour to inspect. No warning lights are turning on prior to headlights and inside lights going out. During the day no issues with vehicle. I've read a few online posts from other owners with same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11621317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The brake lights fail with no warning. Bulb replacement used to work. Since ownership at +70,000 miles, I have had to replace one or both of the tail light sections as they melted. The lighting harness has been changed multiple times. In January 2024 Hyundai issued a warranty extension to 15years/200,000miles. There is no date on the letter. When I tried to get my car serviced there were charges for testing to ensure that this was the problem and it was difficult to find someone to service the car in a timely manner. The police continue to issue me tickets for no rear brake lights. The Dealer who finally serviced the car indicated that the Warranty was Void as the replacement parts were not Hyundai parts. Servicing the car was well after the original warranty was already over, so why would you worry about warranty claims for original parts. They claim that they cannot diagnosis the problem without original parts. Hyundai Corporate Customer Service was no help in this matter, but they did apologize for the problem. Can't drive a car without tail lights and paying 850 for the repair is one month of my disability check.

NHTSA complaint #11589230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact had been pulled over by authorities on three separate occasions due to inoperable rear taillights. The contact stated that the interior housing unit for both the left and right rear taillights had begun to melt which caused the defect. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was initially informed that the vehicle would be serviced under warranty; however, the contact was recently informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA complaint #11586575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

when using the turn signals, either way, the headlights cut off. sometimes they flicker back on and sometimes they stay off.

NHTSA complaint #11551339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Right brake light assembly melting around lightbulb and right brake light not working due to the burn. I went to multiple used auto parts store to try and buy the right brake assembly and noted multiple cars from 2011-2014 had the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11546868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

When head lights are in Auto mode occasionally all of the exterior and interior lights go out. Including dash lights. I cannot make it repeat at will so nothing ever gets done with it. There is no warning when it happens just complete darkness inside and out. Obviously I can’t see where I’m going when it happens they typically come back on after a few seconds. This has been happening for over 1 year. I don’t use the lights in auto anymore, it doesn’t happen when it’s not in auto.

NHTSA complaint #11534979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My tail lights, brake lights and head lights continue to go out. I have replaced them many times myself and have taken it to the Hyundai dealership. They temporarily fixed them but couldn’t promise how long they would work. They said to fix them would cost over 1000$. This is a safety hazard as not having brake lights could cause serious accidents. This doesn’t seem Normal as I have never In my entire time I have been driving had to continually replace lights. Sounds like a manufacturer defect and I feel like the dealership should have to pay, not out of my pocket. I have been pulled over by the police and have had to explain why my lights don’t work. It’s scary because I never know if they are working or not. I did not get any warnings on my dashboard that lights were out. I have also googled this problem and it seems like a lot of the same year of Hyundai vehicles are having the same issues.

NHTSA complaint #11534708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Left driver side rear and front headlamps would burn out, after time noticed the left headlamp flickering 9n and off while driving at night in auto mode, also inside dash lights dimming, also left driver side seat will not adjust, this is a Hazzard for myself and others while driving at night, with lights malfunctioning, was pulled over by highway patrol, and given a warning to fix headlamp.Issue has not been inspected by anyone and the vehicle can be inspected upon request, no dash or warning lights have came on.

NHTSA complaint #11530218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:BULBS

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that on various occasions, the brake lights and turning signals failed to illuminate as designed. The contact stated that she replaced the bulbs seven times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the taillight wiring harness assembly had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA complaint #11523205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that on various occasions, the brake lights and turning signals failed to illuminate as designed. The contact stated that she replaced the bulbs seven times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the taillight wiring harness assembly had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA complaint #11523205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

A family member alerted me that my passenger side brake light was out. I went and purchased a replacement bulb to change the light. As soon as I went to pull the old bulb out I noticed the housing the bulb sits in was warped, cracked, and discolored like it had been burned. The old bulb can't even be pulled out without having to break the bulb because the plastic is so warped. Being unable to change the brake light is a hazard because I can't alert other drivers when I am stopping. Also if the bulb got hot enough to burn the housing on the tail light it could have potentially started a fire. There weren't any warning lights that a brake light was out.

NHTSA complaint #11501802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The lighting system on the front and back lights, tail lights and brake lights has shortages and melts the housings that the bulbs go in. I have had two of these cars with the same identical problem.It’s very dangerous because the tail lights work whenever and me as the driver can’t see behind me nor the person driving behind me will know that I’m stopping. I can’t drive my vehicles at all at this present time and have made an appointment the dealership, Hyundai and filed a complaint as well. Something has to be done quickly to put this on the recall list because it’s very dangerous for myself and others on the national highways. I see a lot of the same identical cars as mines with the same exact issues. It’s ridiculous!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11500570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Headlights need to be replaced every three months. Brake lights turnt out and melted the plastic around it. Had to replace the entire light unit. Now, the breaklight doesnt work at all. Even after replacing the entire light unit and bulbs.

NHTSA complaint #11497140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

At 1st, my tail light went out on my passenger side of the car. I tired to fix the problem with replacing the bulb. This went on for several times. It got to the point that the bulb wouldn’t fix the problem. I then replaced the wiring harness. That worked for a day or two then the light was back out. I even went back to the dealership and had then replace the wiring harness, I was thinking perhaps I had a defected one, still to no avail. I then paid the $170 diagnostic fee so the dealership could find the problem. Well, I was told the problem was beyond the tail light and it was more than likely needed to be traced throughout my car. The job was gonna be too time consuming and costly for that particular dealership and ultimately my money was returned. Throughout this crazy process I had contacted the Hyundai corporate office to report the problem and was dismissed. So, here’s the bigger picture. Once I started researching this problem more and more people were having the same problems as I. The light bulbs in the tail lights was burning so hot that it would burn out the bulb, the wires and the housing causing many people to replace bulbs and in some cases the whole unit. This what happened to the driver side of my car. The entire housing and wiring was not good and the whole thing had to be replaced. Hyundai has some serious electrical defects with the year and model of my car. They don’t want even acknowledge that there is a problem. Honestly, one of the employees explained to me how this was a known problem and how the company tried to fix it by making the socket thicker with the hopes of the bulb not burning out. This employee knew the the wiring harness was changed before to the new one the original one because of the color of it. So, clearly, it did not solve the problem. Now that my electrical issues existent beyond the tail light means my car could be at risk of fire at anytime. Last thing, my high beams don’t work now also.

NHTSA complaint #11493578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Faulty lights: flickering off and on while driving at night, park light fail to come on but break lights work, unable to use the lights in “auto” mode or else they flicker. Flickering with left front turn signal. There are multiple complaints about this issue on YouTube and when you Google the car and check reviews. This issue puts my life, my children’s lives, and so many others lives in danger.

NHTSA complaint #11492370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Having to replace headlights and brake lates every month, now rear passenger side light is completely out and will not come on after changing all bulbs and fuses, see this as a major safety issue, there are many complaints about this same issue and Hyundai is ignoring this safety issue

NHTSA complaint #11488938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Head Lights Go Out Completely at Highway Speed Headlight dimmer switch fails to switch between high and low beam. Lights can go completely out with zero viability during nighttime driving conditions. Speed of vehicle seems not to be a factor in the headlamp failures. May also fail to dim from high-beam to low-beam in the instant of oncoming traffic. Causes a great deal of distraction to safe driving as attention of diverted to fiddling with the headlight/turn signal switch stalk. Lights have sometimes gone completely out (dark) at highway speed in congested traffic conditions. Has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2015 with under 17,000 miles but the problem is getting progressively more frequent. I am concerned that in the future, I may not be able to get the head lamps to come back on, while I am at highway speed and no chance for a safe emergency exit of the roadway.

NHTSA complaint #11481879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Back light panel had to be replaced because light keep blowing. Engine is burning oil and have to put oil in often

NHTSA complaint #11480452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The headlights and signal lights go out at least twice a year without warning which happens at night and or when raining. The dealership says they know that's why they keep plenty in stock. I've been dealing with this for 6 years afraid to drive at night or in rain because I never know when they will blow. I'm sure this can be verified by the amount of bulbs being replaced and sold. Help. This has to be a defect. Thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11479880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Vehicle headlights turn off / on while driving

NHTSA complaint #11473185 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Brake / parking lights on both sides have burned out more than 2 dozen times. This started when the car was less than 2 years old at about 20,000 miles and continues. Reported to dealer several times. Most recently on 4/22/2022. We were told they have no solution to correcting the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11467430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Exterior lighting out (fuses)-- head, brake, tail, signal

NHTSA complaint #11466372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The lights on the vehicle shut off with no warning. All of the lights, front/ rear lights and inside dash and radio.

NHTSA complaint #11464291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights turn off when applying it turn signal. Low beam headlights are not shining far enough down the road to be able to see.

NHTSA complaint #11456335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights and taillights constantly burning out. Taillights have melted sockets on both driver and passenger side and it seems the fuses are burning for anything powering the exterior lights. This is a safety hazard from not being seen on the road by other vehicles to a potential fire hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11448432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Headlights will randomly flash off/on while driving. Using turn signals will also make the headlights (and some interior lighting) flicker off/on. Headlights were replaced, but problem still exists. This is a major safety issue for me as other drivers believe I'm flashing my lights intentionally, not to mention, driving at night and having your headlights turn off randomly isn't very safe. We feel very unsafe driving this vehicle after dark because of this issue. This problem started at approx. 70,000 miles. Took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the issue is a defective multi function switch and that others are having the same issue. However, but the dealer said this issue is only covered by the warranty up to 50K miles and I would have to pay to have this resolved. I contacted Hyundai Consumer Affair's and opened a complaint with them. I was assigned case number 18855023, but was told there isn't anything Hyundai could do and I would need to deal with my dealer to get this repaired out of warranty. From my research I've found that many other Sonata owners are experiencing this same issue and that some of the Hyundai Genesis line of vehicles also are experiencing these issues, but in response to these Genesis owners, Hyundai has extended the warranty of the multifunction switch assembly to 15 years with unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first). Why is Hyundai not addressing this same issue that exists on their other model lines??? Hyundai needs to extend the warranty and repair this defective switch for ALL other Hyundai models. This is a very unsafe and potentially life threatening hazardous issue that needs to be address for all Hyundai customers and not just the Genesis owners.

NHTSA complaint #11446152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.