2017 Kia Forte · symptom sheet
Headlights too dim or fail
- 28owner reports
- 46,729median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report May 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
43 of the 302 complaints on this car are about the exterior lighting. 28 of those describe headlights.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Headlights on other Forte years
No other Forte model year has enough reports of headlights for a sheet of its own. See every Forte year.
What this problem usually is
Headlight complaints fall into two camps. In one, a headlight goes out, often more than once, or fills with moisture behind the lens. In the other, the lights work exactly as built and the owner still can't see the road at night because the beam is too dim or too short. Owners in that second camp often report a dealer telling them it's normal.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the headlight assembly (22 reports) and the bulb (12 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the exterior lighting covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 26,000 and 59,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 Kia Forte that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly.
HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
What owners wrote
“Car steers to tilting directions. Doesn't drive straight especially on the highway. Headlights are horrible.”
Filed Sep 13, 2025
“The head light turn off occasionally when the turn signal is used and does not always come back on with out playing with it or jiggle it. It has put mine and others safety at risk at dark. The dealer recommends replacing the multifunction switch. Part is on a national back order.”
Filed Aug 3, 2023
“Both low beams stopped working. High beams and all other lights work I replaced the bulbs and the low beams don't work at all and there's no relay or fuse and I can't find the problem”
Filed Nov 23, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 28 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 67 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 57 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 37 reports