Poor illumination of headlights

[GuillaumeTell]

All Tellurides with LED headlights are projector-type LEDs.

In the US, for 2020, that was SX models only. For 2021 and 2022, EX Premium was added in addition to the SX models. Lower trims were saddled with halogens. For 2023, all Tellurides have projector LEDs.

According to Kia’s information, all 2022 and 2023 EV6s (regardless of trim) have reflector LEDs.

Many other newer Kias (like the Sportage and Carnival) save LED projectors for the top
SX-P trims only and the lower trims have LED reflectors.

Replacing the halogens with LEDs will certainly make the lights brighter, but the fondamental problem goes deeper. There's the issue of beam pattern of course, discussed in some of these threads, but also bulb positioning: the high beam lights (located just under the two low beams on each side) are too low to the ground to be effective on hilly roads. Let me explain: as you approach the bottom of a hill, the car is pointing downward, and if the lights are too low to the ground, they can't light the road ahead no matter how powerful they are. What's more, in that moment, the entire beam is focused on a few dozen yards directly in front of you, which blinds you significantly (especially in winter when the road is white with snow) when you should be looking much farther ahead. Mine is a 2021 Telluride Nightfall (aka Nightsky in Canada), with LEDs. Positioning the high beam lights higher up from the road would go a long way to resolve this headlight issue.

 

[GuillaumeTell]

Yes, the poor headlights have been known on the LX and S trims (and some EX). The IIHS noted that those halogen projectors are poor in their safety rating of the 2020 Kia Telluride more than 2 years ago.

In any case, it's an easy fix - you just need to replace the headlamps. There are a few ways to do this - LED bulbs, or a bit more complicated to do HID bulb replacement. Check out the forum and search "EX headlight replacement" - among other terms. Good luck!

Yes, the poor headlights have been known on the LX and S trims (and some EX). The IIHS noted that those halogen projectors are poor in their safety rating of the 2020 Kia Telluride more than 2 years ago.

In any case, it's an easy fix - you just need to replace the headlamps. There are a few ways to do this - LED bulbs, or a bit more complicated to do HID bulb replacement. Check out the forum and search "EX headlight replacement" - among other terms. Good luc

I have had my Telluride S 2021 since August and I am very frustrated with the headlights at night. #1 I don't think the main headlights beam high enough. When I go up a hill I must have my brights on to adequately see in front of me. #2 I noticed a complete blind spot when turning...At night if someone walked in front of my car while I am turning I could never see them. This is quite scary to me. Thought perhaps it is because I am short but now I am reading that this is a common complaint with this car. Now I read that the "fog lights" can help illuminate the car when turning. Of course now I found out I don't have fog lights in this car style. I hate to say this but if I had any inkling of this problem would never have bought this car. It is very dangerous.

Mine is a 2021 Telluride Nightsky/Nightfall with LED low and high-beams, but I have all the same problems as all those with hologens. Yet, the aim of my headlights was verified at the dealership and is within specs. Any higher, and it bothers oncoming trafic. So it’s not a simple fix unfortunately. Kia needs to work on a solution. I’m afraid that if you change your halogens to brighter LEDs, you’ll just blind yourself more by lighting up the road that‘s just in front of you, and the rest will be just as dark. I find the lighting (even with LEDs) inadequate and dangerous. It makes my passagers very nervous. I considered installing a light bar on my roof rack (like rallye cars), but that’s a bit over the top on a luxury SUV, so I put that aside. There may be a way to overdrive the main LEDs (i.e., the 4 low beams, stock they remain at the same intensity on high beam), but that would obviously void the guarantee and may not even be possible. I’m afraid only KIA can help here. I hope the KIA engineers read these posts! To me, the high-beam issue is a dealbreaker, and I intend to change my Telluride before the end of the lease.

 

[Marion]

All interesting. I am still suffering with my original headlights in my 2021 Telluride. Went to Napa but they seemed unsure as to what bulbs we should buy. Finally called Kia dealer since so many people seem to have had issues when changing out the bulbs by themselves. They told me they
will not change out the bulbs in the car at all. !!?? Really crazy