Have you driven other Sonatas to see if this is something unique to your car or normal with all of them?
I have the "steerable" headlights in mine, and although I think the "steering" feature is a total waste of money, the lights illuminate the road ahead of me better than a lot of cars I have driven.

If you changed the bulbs to different brightness levels and still no satisfaction, the problem is not with the headlights.
Hyundai won't change your headlights because they only have one DOT certified headlight for your car, and that is the one that is in it.

Also, look at the temperature of the bulbs you are replacing the stock ones with, Anything over 4100 may be brighter but it will be mostly glare and not give you nearly as good a picture of the asphalt/concrete on the road. Anything that is "bluish" is a total waste of money unless your primary goal is to piss off oncoming drivers with the glare.

Last option, see an optometrist and have him check you night vision. No, not joking, it happens.

 

Yes, I did. I tried 4 actually. One was great, another one - OK -ish and 2 were bad. But my headlights are much, much worse than any of ones I tried.

Do you care ti share with where you took those headlights? If they are great, than I'm 100% in to get them too.

I tried 5 (FIVE) different types of bulbs. Some are better than others, but all of them did not give a proper light. And no, there's nothing to do with the bulbs itself - I installed the same bulbs on my other vehicle (same setup: lens on low and reflector on high beams). DAY and night, literally. In fact, those LED bulbs (Auxbeam F16 - if that matters) are so awesome on my other vehicle, that I replaced both low and high beams on LED.
Why do you think there's nothing wrong with my current headlights? Just curious to hear.

I tried 6000K light temp. Again, on my other vehicle they are gorgeous.

Funny enough, the same comment regarding optometrist I heard in the dealership. As I wrote above, the same apir of eyes and the same bulbs: cr@p light from Sonata and gorgeous light on another vehicle.

 

Again, I can understand - things happening. And the engine fiasco (infamous campaign 953) - at least, the vehicle parked and noone will be hurt. But driving literally BLIND - that's a serious concern. that's life-threatening things and in my mind (I might be wrong) - cannot be tolerated. In my mind, Hyundai should step in, but they do not care.

BTW, there 2 types of headlights (at least in Canada) - with and without HID.

 

Guys, I need help.

My headlights are really bad. When it just getting darker I literally cannot see anything on the road. At night if there’s any source of light on the road (from the traffic or streetlights) – I cannot see the lights of my vehicle. And there’s rain – it is even worse. In all scenarios – if it gets a bit darker, I’m literally driving blind. This is a life-threatening exercise to drive the vehicle at night. I’m exposing my own life, the lives of my passengers as well as the lives of the random people, who got bad luck to be in the same place and at the same time as me.

It was like that from the day 1 bought the vehicle (brand new from the dealer). No accidents whatsoever, headlights are original ones, which came with the vehicle.

Before I had another vehicle to drive – IF there’s even a tiny chance of night driving. But now that vehicle is gone and now I have to drive Sonata at any time of the day (and night). And that’s why the problem became that HUGE.

In my mind, the problem is the poor quality of manufacturing. For the light to be perfect, the source of the light (the bulb) must be in the focus of the lens. But that’s not the case. The bulb on the right headlight is too far (wasting a lot of light), thus the light from the right headlight is dim. The bulb on the right headlight is too close (light is spread on the edge of the lens), but no light is going in the middle, leaving a huge dark spot right in front of my eyes.

That means to me that:

• Manufacturing had been failed.
• The vendor’s QC (quality control) failed.
• Hyundai QC failed as well (the vehicle with these headlights should not leave the factory).

What has been done:
1. From day 1 was fighting with the dealer to push them to fix the problem. On multiple occasions, I complained to the local dealer. They tried to adjust the headlights, but nothing can be done. All they can do is adjust the headlights up and down, but that’s it.

2. I tried two different types of halogen bulbs and three types of LED bulbs. No dice. While the problem is the headlights themselves, so changing the bulbs did not work.

3. I filed the complaint with Hyundai Canada (case number #1870XXXX). They called me twice to get more details. I told them the whole story and the lady on the other was surprised hearing all that. But in 2 days they called me back and the verdict was – “WE DO NOT CARE”. I was shocked to hear that. In my mind, it’s their fault, thus they should fix that.

So, what are my options might look like?

1. The most logical to me would be to replace the headlights.

I called Hyundai and they quoted me $2,200 worth of the expense. While I’m not sure if new ones will be any better than the cr@p I have right now, I asked about the return policy. The answer was amazing to say at least – “the moment you plug them in, you cannot return them”. In other words, if new headlights are the same cr@p as my old ones, I’m not only unable to fix the problem, but I will also be stuck with the same cr@ppy headlights$2,200 worth. Not fun at all.

On Amazon, I found DNA Motoring headlights $500 plus change worth. Does someone know if they are good ones or not?
DNA MOTORING Black/Clear HL-OH-HSON15-BK-CL1 Factory Style Front Bumper Projector Headlight Lamp Set : Amazon.ca: Automotive

If not, can I get something else? From my online search, for 2015-17 not that many aftermarket headlights at all. Kinda sucks, 2011-14 Sonata has tons of different ones. No HIDs for me.

2. Fog lights.

Not sure if those can really fix anything. Does someone have an idea of the good fog lights?

3. How else I can fix that?

For sure, no more Hyundai / Kia vehicles - nor for me nor for anyone I know. When the manufacturer does not care about the safety, that's absolutely NO-NO for me.

A few things come to my mind. First, understand that Hyundai has a long history of crappy headlights. My '01 and my '13 Elantra lights were just garbage, right from new. For the '01, using a cleaning kit to take off the layer of cloud made them at least less terrifying. But that was after many years. For my '13, I put in a well researched set of LED headlights (don't let anyone tell you LED lights can't be used, they can). Marginally better, but proved to me that the housings were really poorly designed. But it sounds like you already tried LED. That leaves me wondering if your lights are properly aimed, and by that I don't mean according to the manual. If poor design is your problem too, read up on how to adjust them and aim them down some. That'll give you more light on the road. Not too low, or distance will be an issue. Make sure the side to side aiming is good too. Use a flat surface against a nice even wall for this and experiment. For my '21 Elantra, I got smart and went to the top trim to get the LED package. They're great. For the older models, you've got to work at it a bit to make them at at least useful. Start with good LED bulbs and then fiddle with the aiming.

Aside from all that, I'm assuming no electrical faults making them dimmer than they should be. Or something silly, like the lights are stuck in daytime run mode. Your comments about the misalignment of the bulbs suggests the bulbs are somehow installed wrong. I find it impossible to believe they were designed like that.

 

The problem here, that when I decided to buy Sonata, I did not know that crappy headlights (HL) for Hyundai is the thing. I won't buy otherwise. My fault, should have done my homework better. I was under impression that HL with lens cannot be bad by definition. Like any other vehicle with this setup had a great light and I was thinking that's the case here. I was wrong BIG times... And yes, HL are garbage from day 1...

The problem is poor manufacturing quality. As I said above, one bulb is too far against the focal point of the lens, while another one is too close. But anyways, all 2 are quite off. That means that no adjustment will help, even theoretically speaking. They are wrong right from manufacturing - starting with quality assurance (manufacturing process) and finishes at quality control on both vendor and Hyundai sides. I can't imagine how the vehicle can possible leave the factory like that. Does Hyundai has something like a somple checklist to fill before releasing the vehicle? I'm not sure.

Even looking at HL - the light pattern is completely different for left and right HL. That's already not a good sign...There's a small circle and the cross on the HL and the light lands differently on that for left and right HL.

I tried with 3 different LED bulbs. The last one was Auxbeam F16. Works awesome on my wife's Toyota. In fact, I bought those bulbs for Sonata, but that didn't work. Just for fun, I installed those bulbs on Toyota and was shocked - what a difference. Looking at that, I ordered the full set for Toyota (low and high) and I'm very happy. These bulbs are flooding the road with light and in the same time are NOT blinding other drivers (checked by dealer).

Not even to mention that to use 9005 (primarily use - high beam) for low beam is a pretty stupid idea. Why not to use 9006 instead?

Oh, and did I mention that installation process is PITA?

 

Did someone replace the headlights in the past? Which you are using and if they good or bad at night?

 

I have 2017 Sport 2.0T that came with the standard 9005 bulbs. They were fine about the same as any of the other 15-20 cars Ive owned.

I have since changed to LED from Auxito and they are very good IMO. Improved beam pattern, longer and wider beam without blinding oncoming cars.

I would compare your housings to a replacement set to see if they are defects. You should be able to purchase a set on line and have return available.

Amazon has these and they are returnable https://www.amazon.com/Headlight-Hyundai-Sonata-Assembly-Halogen/dp/B01H2QVYGI

 

I agree, I use the same Auxito Bulbs.

https://www.amazon.ca/Headlight-Bulbs-CanBus-AUXITO-Conversion/dp/B07WCSJQYC/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=auxito+9005&qid=1632195905&sr=8-4

You can get them cheaper from amazon.com or AliExpress.

 

I have BPS LED bulbs in my lowbeams, great lighting no dark spots, light spread is nice from side to side, as well as distance. In my highbeams I have Novasight LED bulbs, the throw is great, lights up the mountain roads where I live a fair distance. Double of what OEM halogen light bulbs throw, bight white, not the dinghy yellow.

 

I guess you've got lucky.

Previous gen of the same bulbs, installed on Sonata, are "dimmer" (6,000 lumens against 7,000 on the newer gen installed on Sonata), but on my other vehicle - are gorgeous. Literally - day and night. I tried 3 types of LED bulbs (don't remember the 1st set, but next were Sealight X and Auxbeam F16) and 2 types of halogens. Only Auxbeam F16 plus is somewhat "better than nothing". For me, that's obvious that something's wrong with the headlights itself. Thus, obviously - to be covered by warranty. Apparently - not... I was complaining from day 1, but I officially lost the battle. So, I'm here bugging you

From technical prospective, I can see 3 problems here:
1. Faulty manufacturing process.
2. Poor Quality Control at manufacturer's facility.
3. Poor Quality Control at Hyundai's facility. That should have been caught at final check.

 

I agree about the crappy headlights in my 2011 Sonata. I've replaced the bulbs and it made no difference. I may try a replacement housing to see if that improves things at all. When I flick on the high beams, you can see they're on, but it makes no difference on the road and the low beams don't light up the road. The fog lights are the only thing that gives any light and that is only right in front and to the sides. Gives me a very bad impression of projector beam headlight housings

 

I saw few gorgeous headlights on aliexpress. Not sure about the quality, but looks great.

I talked to my colleague, he has '17 Elantra. Same thing, poor headlights.

Same thing for me with high beams - no difference at all. And that especially visible in comparison with my other vehicle. The same setup (low - projector, high - reflector), but what a difference...

The fog light cannot really help to improve the low beams. Few feet ahead, but that's it.

Projector is a great thing, but when done right. That means that the source of light must be in the focal point of the lens. Not my case: one is too far and another is too close to the lenses.

 

I am in Canada and bought new brighter white bulbs that push the light out 30% more than OEM bulbs that came with my 2019 Sonata. Bought off of Rockauto.com Much brighter and see further down the road.

 

I put HIDs in my fog lights and rewired them so they come on anytime they are switched on. Your headlights have projectors so some HIDs would improve that immensely.

 

WHat headlights should buy, guys?

 

Don't suppose they are now the projector style headlights?

 

2015 sonata SE here. ANother vote for Auxito 9005. have them for both regular lights and high beams. plug and play, no need for drilling and mods

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WCSJQYC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Were you able to get them in the correct 9 and 3 orientation?
I find that out of the box they are slightly angled

 

If it has separate high beams then get an 55w HID kit for them. Literally night and day difference.

 

just buy a 200w lightbar and use that instead

 

Based on this thread, I purchased a set of Auxito LED bulbs and installed them in my 2015 Sonata Sport.
It made a huge difference in useable light on the road.
Cutoff seems to be more crisp with the LED bulbs.
We'll see how long they last, but for now, they are a great upgrade.

Thanks to everyone posting about their experiences with the Auxito bulbs.

 

Thank you for recommendation.
Removing the old bulbs was pain. However its worth the effort.
I couldn't see the bulbs at all because of the weird angles, so ended up video recording with flash on, and seeing in camera screen where the notches are.
Here are couple of screen captures from dashcam video side by side on same spot. Phone pics dont do the justice.
I might also try clear coating the lens. In autozone saw Turtle wax headlight lens restorer and wanted to give it a try.


you can guess which pic is with newer LED lights.

 

@hyundaisona I am glad the bulbs worked out for you as well.
I didn't have much of an issue getting the new bulbs in but I really had to crane my neck to be able to see the back of the projector housing.
I did the passenger side first as that had much more room to see the back of the headlight assembly once I removed the two 10mm bolts holding the coolant reservoir in place and got it out of the way.
Using the same process I was able to do the driver side without much of an issue even though the amount of room and the visibility are greatly reduced on the driver side.
Keeping my fingers crossed that the bulbs last at least a few years because they are a huge difference over the stock halogen bulbs.

 

hello guys i'm thinking to modified my headlight like this picture:
its good or bad?

 

If you like the look , do it!

I think there are a few places selling the different headlight assembly like you show and a "cat eye" type. Also a few old posts of members doing this.

 

I have a two thousand fifteen hyundai tucson, the worst headlights i've ever had on a brand new car. They are extremely dangerous! I put Silverstars in it. Still terrible.