[2014Forte5]

Hi Guys, I have a Forte5 SX which has the LED rear lights. Today this morning I noticed when I was backing up into my spot, I noticed in my rear view camera brake lights were flickering really fast. Went out and looked at my lights and they were flashing intermittently along with the third brake light on the top of the trunk. I was thinking, really? Under 10,000KM and already stuff is breaking?! Tried to turn it on and off (the lights) from manual to automatic; nothing helped. It kept flickering. It's quite damp and foggy this past week in Toronto with a in between cold and rainy. Anyway, I thought it could be because some moister got into the circuitry. Was going to call my dealer to set up an appointment to have them look at it but you know what these guys will probably try to replicate it and if it doesn't do it, just tell me to come back when it does. As a last ditch effort, I turned the car off, and back on again and it was gone.


Has anyone had this happen before? I'm quite disconcerted after reading the other thread about the guy with problems with his windows fogging or something with electrical. Surely the Koreans can engineer an adequate seal in their cars now right? Quite bummed, if I'm honest. I have no way of telling if this is happening when I'm driving but I did notice this one close call when I was coming to a turn and this car behind me didn't even slow down and nearly rear ended me only to find out it was my fault since it must have been flickering like crazy for a while before I got home.

 

[rick021808]

Bring it to dealership and tell them to replace the lights or fix them. The koup have an issue with some of the strips of leds going out. Which there is still multiple ones working so not as serious as yours for safety. If there is more people with the same problem. Kia will have to issue a recall or something to fix it. They don't know there's a problem unless you bring it in....

 

[Dalas]

I have the same car and mine is 8 month old and no problems so far, so it must be an isolated problem. 5 years warranty my friend.

 

[jat63]

Do your cars have red or amber turn lamps, someone could confuse a flashing red as a turn signal,
Also can the LED's be changed or do we need to buy the complete assembly if they are not a warranty item.
Here in aus red turn lamps are not allowed, all turn signals are amber same as Europe.

 

[2014Forte5]

Sorry for the lack of update. Also to clarify, only the upper strip of lights flicker; they're not actually flashing.

They tried fixing it in the engine bay thinking it was something in there but it wasn't. Now they are saying it needs to be taken apart and trace the wiring to see where the short is happening in the relay. All brake light functions light up when the full headlight assembly is turned on while no lights (except for DRL) works as intended. Obviously I am not too happy about having to take the car apart so early in the stage of ownership but it is a first year model so I guess these things are inevitable.



@Jat63, my turn lights are red. For some odd reason, the other trims (non-SX) have ambers, if I recall. I have seen a few EX on the road with the conventional halogen bulb and they seem to have amber turn signals but Kia decided to put red or at least the tail lamp assembly is red so the it flashes red. Personally I've always had amber in the cars I've driven so as long as red functions adequately for other drivers to see, I don't mind the change.

I have seen some Mercedes/Audis have their DRL LED strips in the front of the car do double duty as turn signals as well when engaged; I wondered if this is something we can do with a little wiring although I imagine you would have to replace the LED with ambers since white turning signals is a no no in our Province.

 

[honhon]

apparently its a moisture issue with moisture getting into the taillight and affecting the LED board. issue with LEDs on vehicles, is usually they aren't serviceable. replace and repeat.

 

[2014Forte5]

I don't know man, I'm not a technician but the problem only happens when I have my headlights turned on. When they're not turned on, it functions as normal and I can tap the brakes and it comes on and off. It would be a massive pain in the arse to have to go in, have them rip it apart and only to find out it needs a whole replacement which is more downtime.


I hope you're wrong about this obviously.

 

[honhon]

well the running light wire could be shorted at the LED board still from moisture... anything that's electrical can have weird workings when it starts to fail or when something else is introduced.... such as moisture.

as soon as I can get a video of my driver side taillight working incorrectly im going to have kia replace is... maybe after 350$+ a pop they will figure out whats actually wrong with the taillights

 

[2014Forte5]

That's cheap compared to what they charge for a side view mirror. I paid $650 for one when I had to replace mine. Mean while you can find the same OEM part from Korea via flea bay for $200-250. Got to love that dealer markup.

 

[jat63]

it's not just the dealers, i worked for an OEM air con supplier long ago and sent parts to holden spare part operation (GM) so i knew our buy/sell price and after calling their parts counter, cost x 5, everyone adds their cut to the end price.

 

[2014Forte5]

it's not just the dealers, i worked for an OEM air con supplier long ago and sent parts to holden spare part operation (GM) so i knew our buy/sell price and after calling their parts counter, cost x 5, everyone adds their cut to the end price.

Oh, ok. Internet 'catalogue' ordering has skewed my perception of how the old archaic ways business work. I guess that's the overhead that you incur if you want to have your 'whatever' serviced at the dealer / OEM supplier?

Anyway, an update on the car. I have to leave it in the shop for a few days to have them look at it but what's worse is they won't give me a car while it's there. Why should I, as a customer have to incur the expense of transportation if it's a warranty issue? That's just really poor customer service.

 

[2014Forte5]

Well guys, an update on my car. The dealer called and they could not replicate the problem this morning. IT was sitting outside and it was very cold. Perhaps the moisture froze or dried out some how but the lights are working as normal. They're going to keep it over the new years eve and test it again in a few days but all in all, the problem went away and they're not sure what is or was wrong.

I may be finding myself going back if the problem comes back.

To the person who said they heard or had personal experience with this and had the whole light assembly changed out; do you have any further information I may be able to pass on tot he dealer here in town? I'll be paranoid about washing my car now because I'm thinking the water may have sealed into the taillights and caused some damage that way. Every time I wash the car, it seems water just drips and pools around the taillights no matter what. IT's because they didn't do a very good job of designing channels around that area and water just pools up.

Anyway, I really miss my car. I have been driving a Mitsubishi RVR CVT for the last week and finally a RIO5 automatic. The Rio5 is quite nice; a lot more comfortable over potholes but very uninspiring drive and weak like a gutless turd.

I'll keep this thread updated when I get further news.

 

[jat63]

now it's my turn, went shopping and parked underground, when leaving the car my right upper outside LED strip was dim, no phone so no proof, gave the lens an open hand tap and it can back on, with all eight now working i went home happy (sort of) 10 minutes later the left upper outer is out.

temps, had a few hot days 30~35c and today mid 20c and raining.
this photo taken 8.00pm, today getting ready to visit dealer left side is back on and right side is off ???


Photo 1 of 3 from Jat63

Update, showed dealer the tail lights they took photos and e-mailed kia, both corners are bring replaced

 

[Mdjqb62]

Good afternoon everyone. I also have been dealing with this light issue myself. Got a call from the manager of my dealership informing me that there is indeed a recall on the rear tail lamp assemblies on the 2014 Forte Koup SX . They apparently are replacing them with ones that work right. Contact your dealer and inquire about this. I am waiting for mine to be shipped overnight. All warranty work. Good luck all. I will keep you all informed.

 

[Kneegradamus]

There is not a recall on Kgis right now
It's a known issue so they are probably just following protocol and ordering the tailamp

 

[Mdjqb62]

There is indeed a recall ( at least on the 2014 Forte Koup). I have had the tail light assemblies replaced 3 times. They always break down within a few days. I have been on the phone with Kia Consumer Affairs. I was informed that there are "new" tail light assemblies being manufactured to address the previous problem and they will be replaced at the customers request.

 

[Kneegradamus]

There is not a recall
I work for Kia and I actually just checked to see if it was released since the last I looked (yesturday)

There is indeed a new assembly that is being used with an updated p/n but it is not in a recall stage at all

 

[Forte5GT]

OP Here.

My problem isn't very similar to your problem; I misspoke. The problem turned out to be a switch. All the taillights work as intended except it would engage without me pressing on the brake. In the end, it turned out to be a 'brake light switch' I know that sounds generic but that's what they told me.

 

[honhon]

Huh.... interesting...

 

[jat63]

Just returned from dealer after replacing both corner tail lights for intermittent led operation, during pickup I asked how much these lights are, $750 each lets hope the new ones work better.