Kia Sorento
License Plate Light Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out license plate
light bulb in the tailgate of a 3rd generation 2016 to 2020 Kia Sorento.
 2019 Sorento Tailgate |
 License Plate Bulb Housing |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
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This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) Kia Sorento SUV in changing a burnt out license plate light bulb in the tailgate. Owners of other Kia, Hyundai and Genesis vehicles such as the Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Niro, Telluride, Forte, Rio, Optima, Stinger, Cadenza, K900, Sedona, Kona, Venue, Santa Fe, Elantra, Sonata, Accent, Veloster, Ioniq, Nexo, G70, G80 and G90 may also find these instructions to be helpful. The compatible replacement festoon style light bulb part number is 6418 (also known as C5W or 12844) which are available from various manufacturers such as Sylvania, Philips, GE, Eiko, Bosch and PIAA. If you would like to have brighter license plate lights that will last a lot longer before burning out, install some 6418 LED bulbs. (The correct bulb length is 36mm.) The tools needed to access and replace the bulbs include a Phillips head screwdriver and a small flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool. Remove the two screws that secure the translucent plastic lens cover to the light housing by turning them in the counterclockwise direction with the Phillips head screwdriver. |
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 First Screw Removed |
 Loosen Second Screw |
 Two Screws Removed |
| Set the two screws aside in a safe place. | ||
 Pry Out Lens Cover |
 Lens Cover Removed |
 Pull Back Metal Contact |
| If the plastic lens
cover doesn't fall down when you remove the screws, gently pry it out with a
small flat head screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool. Use the small flat head screwdriver to gently pull back one of the metal electrical contacts away from the light bulb. |
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 Remove Old Light Bulb |
 Old Light Bulb Removed |
 KHA12VC5W |
| Pull the old light
bulb straight out of the socket. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) light bulb part in this 2019 Sorento was marked as part number KHA12VC5W E11 3FX LL 17H16B (36mm). |
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 Empty Bulb Socket |
 Install New Light Bulb |
 Line Up Lens Cover |
| Insert a new number
6418 festoon style light bulb
straight into the socket. If you would like to have brighter license plate lights that will also last much longer before burning out, install some compatible replacement 6418 LED bulbs. Make sure the new light bulb is securely attached in between the two metal electrical contacts. Line up the lens cover with the light housing. |
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 Lens Cover Installed |
 Spin In Phillips Screw |
 Tighten Clockwise |
| Push the lens cover
into place and hold it with one hand. Use your other hand to spin in the two screws a few turns in the clockwise direction to make sure they don't become cross threaded. |
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 Replace 2nd Screw |
 Lens Cover Secured |
 Test New Light Bulb |
| Tighten the two
screws by turning them in the clockwise direction with the Phillips head
screwdriver. Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic lens cover. To test the new license plate light bulbs, turn on the parking lights or the headlights. You could also press the "Unlock" button on the key fob to re-activate the exterior lights. Be sure to write down the bulb change in your vehicle's service records. Please
take a look at
all of my
2016-2020 Kia Sorento DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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