Buy Kia Sorento Tail Light Assembly

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Summary

The Kia Sorento tail light-also called the rear lamp, tail lamp, brake light or rear light assembly-keeps you seen from behind, signals turns and braking, and meets strict safety rules. Across 2003-2025 Sorento models it evolved from simple dual-filament bulbs to bright, fast-acting LEDs; recent refreshes even reshaped the lamp for a bolder look.

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Fitment & Compatibility

• Sorento tail lights share the basic two-piece layout (outer lamp on the body plus inner lamp on the liftgate) for every generation since 2011. Models built from late-2023 onward add a boxier outer shape and "Telluride-style" vertical signatures. motortrend.com first-look
• 2011-2018 trims mostly use dual-filament 1157/2357 bulbs for tail-and-stop plus PY21W/7440 bulbs for turn signals. LEDs became standard on upper trims beginning in 2019 while base models kept replaceable bulbs. 【Owner-manual page 656】 (ManualsLib)
• Hybrid (2021-present) and Plug-in Hybrid (2024-present) lamps are LED only; bulb replacement is limited to the back-up light.
• Always match the production month shown on the certification label in your door jamb, because Kia updated wiring connectors several times between 2018-2021; a 2018 harness service bulletin confirms the difference. TSB 248

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Functions & Features

• Tail/running light: steady red glow whenever the head- or parking lights are on.
• Brake light: bright red that is at least three times stronger than the running light, as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108. FMVSS excerpt
• Turn indicator: amber or red flash; LEDs illuminate about 0.25 s faster than bulbs, giving the driver behind roughly 15 ft more stopping distance at 60 mph. NHTSA LED study
• Center High-Mount Stop Lamp (CHMSL) on the liftgate glass adds an extra alert line of sight for following traffic. NHTSA CHMSL guide
• Newer SX-Prestige and X-Line trims include sequential LED turn strips and built-in amber side markers for better side visibility.

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Bulb & LED Technology

• Standard bulbs draw 25-27 W and last about 1,000-2,000 h; LEDs draw <5 W and routinely exceed 20,000 h. Car and Driver bulb guide
• LEDs resist vibration-the Sorento's rear hatch slams hard, so solid-state diodes reduce filament breakage seen in older models.
• Color must be pure red (peak ~630 nm) for tail/stop functions to comply with FMVSS 108 photometric tables. CFR §571.108 (GovInfo)

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Safety & Regulations

• U.S. rules set the mounting height for rear lamps between 15 in (381 mm) and 72 in (1,830 mm) from the road. CFR §393.11 (GovInfo)
• 2024-2025 Sorento, Sorento HEV and PHEV were recalled because a Body Domain Control Unit software bug could briefly cut power to the tail lights. Kia's remedy is a free software update. Recall 25V-006
• A separate 2018-2019 service bulletin covers replacement of the outside rear lamp harness to fix dim LEDs caused by high resistance. TSB 248

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Maintenance Tips

• Test all rear lights once a month; the quick driveway wall test recommended by AAA lets you see reflections without help. AAA step-by-step
• If one side stays dark, first check the 15 A "TAIL LP" fuse in the interior panel (location is printed on the 2021 fuse-box cover). Fuse diagram page 638
• Condensation inside the lens can dull LEDs; many owners report moisture after car-washes on older UM-body Sorentos. Dry with a low-heat hair dryer and replace the rubber gasket if torn. Owner forum example

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DIY Replacement Guide

1. Open liftgate; pop off service cover on the inner trim. Owner-manual page 656
2. Remove two Phillips screws securing the outer lamp.
3. Pull the assembly straight back-a firm tug releases side clips. Video demo
4. Twist the bulb socket counter-clockwise, swap the bulb or disconnect the LED harness.
5. Re-install in reverse order; avoid over-tightening (Kia lists 2.0 N·m for those screws).
6. Test all lighting functions before closing the hatch.

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Common Issues

← scroll table horizontally →

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Variations Over the Years

• 2011-2013 - incandescent dual-filament bulbs, clear outer lens.
• 2014-2015 - smoked lens option; LED CHMSL becomes standard.
• 2016-2018 - LED light-bar added on SX trims.
• 2019-2020 - full-LED outer lamp on EX/SX; inner lamp still bulb on base trims.
• 2021-2023 - all trims offer LED outer lamp; hybrid adds energy-saving driver for 12 V battery.
• 2024 refresh - "unmistakably Telluride" vertical LED blades and new internal diffuser pattern. motortrend.com
• 2024-2025 software recall covers potential momentary loss of tail-lamp power. Recall bulletin

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Buying Considerations

• Verify LED vs. bulb: A quick look inside the lens-LED boards have no removable sockets.
• Match paint-code if buying complete assemblies; pre-painted liftgate inner lamps vary by color.
• Check for SAE A & DOT marks molded in the lens to ensure legal use in North America.
• For off-road packages (X-Pro), confirm built-in connector shape; harness pin-outs changed in 2023.

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Q: How do I know my Sorento tail light is LED or bulb?
A: Look for round bulb sockets; if none are visible and the lens has a solid circuit board, it's LED. (ManualsLib)

Q: Can I swap LEDs into an older bulb-type housing?
A: Yes, plug-in LED bulbs fit the 1157 socket, but the stock reflector limits brightness compared with factory LEDs. (Car and Driver)

Q: What color should the tail light be?
A: U.S. law requires red tail and brake lights; turn signals may be red or amber. (GovInfo)

Q: Why do LEDs light faster than bulbs?
A: LEDs reach full brightness almost instantly; bulbs need about 0.2 s for the filament to heat up. (CrashStats)

Q: My 2025 Sorento lights flicker off for a second-what's wrong?
A: The BDC software glitch covered by Recall 25V-006; a free update fixes it. (NHTSA)

Q: Do I need to disconnect the battery before changing a bulb?
A: Kia recommends removing the negative cable to avoid shorts. (ManualsLib)

Q: What size fuse protects the tail lights?
A: A 15-amp mini-blade labeled "TAIL LP" in the interior fuse box. (ManualsLib)

Q: Is moisture inside the lamp normal?
A: Light condensation can occur; heavy pooling means the seal has failed and the lamp should be resealed or replaced. (Reddit)

Q: Are aftermarket smoked lenses legal?
A: They're legal only if they meet FMVSS 108 photometric output; overly dark tints may violate state law. (GovInfo)

Q: Does the Sorento have a rear fog light?
A: Some trims sold outside North America include a rear fog lamp below the bumper; U.S. models do not. (ManualsLib)

Q: How often should I test my tail lights?
A: Check monthly using the wall-reflection test or have someone confirm while you press the pedal. (AAA Club Alliance)

Q: Can a bad trailer wiring harness blow the Sorento tail-light fuse?
A: Yes, a short in the 4-pin connector can overload and pop the 15 A fuse or damage the harness. (NHTSA)

Q: What tools do I need to remove the lamp?
A: A #2 Phillips screwdriver and plastic trim tool to pry the service cover. (ManualsLib)

Q: Will upgrading to LED bulbs void my warranty?
A: Using DOT-approved bulbs won't void warranty, but damage from incorrect wiring is not covered. (Car and Driver)

Q: Why does my tail light stay on after I park?
A: A sticking brake-pedal stopper pad can keep the stop-lamp switch closed-Kia issued earlier recalls on other models for this issue. (NHTSA)

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