Kia Stonic Recalled Over Daytime Running Light Fault

If you're driving a late-model Kia Stonic around Perth or anywhere else in WA, pay attention — Kia Australia has issued a nationwide safety recall affecting more than 3000 of these light SUVs due to a fault with their daytime running lamps.

What's the Problem?

The issue comes down to a software glitch. When the Stonic enters fuel-saving "sailing" mode — where the engine temporarily disengages to conserve fuel — the daytime running lamps switch off entirely. That's not how they're supposed to work.

As Kia puts it in its own recall notice: "Daytime running lamps not operating as intended may reduce the vehicle's visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of an accident and potentially resulting in serious injury or death."

On busy Perth roads — think Stirling Highway or the Kwinana Freeway during peak hour — being less visible to other drivers is a genuine risk. And if you're heading further afield on WA's long regional highways where road trains and wide-load vehicles are a reality, you want every bit of visibility working in your favour.

The fault also puts affected vehicles in breach of two Australian Design Rules: ADR 13/00 (Installation of Lighting and Light-signalling Devices) and ADR 76/00 (Daytime Running Lamps). In plain terms, non-compliant lighting could also create headaches at registration time with Main Roads WA if the issue isn't addressed.

What Needs to Happen

The fix is straightforward — a software update at an authorised Kia dealership, at no cost to you. Kia Australia will be contacting owners of affected vehicles directly to arrange the update.

If you haven't heard from Kia yet but suspect your Stonic might be affected, don't sit on it. Get in touch with Kia Customer Service on **131 542** or email **customer_service@kia.com.au** to confirm whether your vehicle is included and to book in the fix.

You can also check your vehicle's recall status using the VIN lookup tool on the [Product Safety Australia](https://www.productsafety.gov.au) website — a handy step for any used car purchase in WA too.

Should You Be Worried?

Recalls like this are actually a sign the system working as it should. Kia identified the fault, reported it, and is fixing it free of charge. The software update is a relatively minor repair, and there are no reports of accidents linked to this issue in Australia.

That said, if you're currently driving an affected Stonic, be mindful that your DRLs may not be operating correctly — particularly during highway driving where sailing mode is more likely to activate. Until the update is done, it's worth being conscious of your visibility to other drivers.

For WA buyers currently shopping for a Stonic — new or used — this recall is a reminder to always check a vehicle's recall history before you buy. A quick VIN check takes two minutes and could save you an unexpected trip to the dealer down the track.