2025 KIA K4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
54
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
12
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2025 KIA K4
The 2025 KIA K4 has received a total of 54 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 10 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (8 complaints), Unknown Or Other (8 complaints), and Engine (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2025 KIA K4
NHTSA has recorded 10 recalls for the 2025 KIA K4, potentially affecting up to 341,476 vehicles.
Recall 25V548000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
| 30 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.
View full details →Recall 25V548000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
| 30 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Recall 26V046000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
| 42,677 vehicles affected
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)...
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2025 KIA K4
54 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2025 KIA K4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Warning | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Assist | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Automatic System Braking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Rearview System Braking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Warnings | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Engine Failure, Engine cooling and lost power
When parked and cutting the car on check driver assistance system come on, check and, and esc comes on. The parking brake does not go off and malfunction. When trying to move the car sometimes it still drives and sometimes the parking brake will not allow you to move until the system resets its self. There are 6 codes that appear. Started in December 2025 have taken car to the dealership 3 times and they report back because the codes are no longer present they can not fix it.
When parked and cutting the car on check driver assistance system come on, check and, and esc comes on. The parking brake does not go off and malfunction. When trying to move the car sometimes it still drives and sometimes the parking brake will not allow you to move until the system resets its self. There are 6 codes that appear. Started in December 2025 have taken car to the dealership 3 times and they report back because the codes are no longer present they can not fix it.
When parked and cutting the car on check driver assistance system come on, check and, and esc comes on. The parking brake does not go off and malfunction. When trying to move the car sometimes it still drives and sometimes the parking brake will not allow you to move until the system resets its self. There are 6 codes that appear. Started in December 2025 have taken car to the dealership 3 times and they report back because the codes are no longer present they can not fix it.
Safety Rating for the 2025 KIA K4
The 2025 KIA K4 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2025 KIA K4
Kia America, Inc. has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2025 KIA K4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
OTA_SA621 — ENGINE
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WARNING LIGHTS (SA621) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Engine Control Unit (ECU) logic of certain 2025 K4 vehicles. This update improves the processing logic of the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to reduce the unintended display of...
OTA_SA621 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WARNING LIGHTS (SA621) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Engine Control Unit (ECU) logic of certain 2025 K4 vehicles. This update improves the processing logic of the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to reduce the unintended display of...
TSB_ENG258 — ENGINE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM JUDGEMENT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P218100 (SA621) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Module (ECM) system software on certain 2025MY K4 (CL4m) vehicles produced from July 03, 2024 through April 28, 2025 equipped with an Nu 2.0L MPI engine. The...
OTA_SA620 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR RCM (SA620) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Roof Control Module (RCM) of certain 2025 K4 vehicles. This update is designed to improve software logic for a smoother sunroof response during one-touch actuation.
PS791 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: DCU IDENTIFICATION AND DAIGNOSTIC AID - This Pitstop provides information on identifying the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) in Kia vehicles equipped with Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) and ccNC Lite head units, as well as a diagnostic aid when diagnosing Kia Connect concerns. When diagnosing non-operational Kia...
TSB_ELE385 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BODY DOMAIN CONTROLLER (BDC) REPLACEMENT (CA2507) - This bulletin provides information regarding the Body Domain Control unit (BDC) on certain 2025MY K4 (CL4) vehicles manufactured from June 1, 2024 through May 1, 2025. Due to a communication issue between the key fob and the BDC, the affected...
TSB_ELE390 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SUNROOF OPERATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA620) - This bulletin supersedes TSB SA595 (December 2024) and outlines the procedure to update the Roof Control Module (RCM) software on certain 2025MY K4 (CL4) vehicles produced between September 19, 2024, through May 28, 2025, which may experience inoperative sunroof...
TSB_ELE363_CLSD — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: SUNROOF OPERATION SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA595) - CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY ELE390/SA620 - This bulletin provided the procedure to update the Roof Control Module (RCM) software on certain 2025MY K4 (CL4) vehicles produced from September 17, 2024 to November 01, 2024 which may exhibit an...
TSB_ELE384 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: REAR COMBINATION LAMP BULB REPLACEMENT (CA2506) - This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the rear turn signal bulbs and stop lamp bulbs in the rear combination lamps on certain 2025MY K4 (CL4m) vehicles produced from July 5, 2024, to February 15, 2025, and equipped with...
TSB_ELE341_R4 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION: CCNC – DEALER MODE, FACTORY & NETWORK RESET (SA613) - This bulletin has been revised as a Combination TSB/SA and includes additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to access...
Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2025 KIA K4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA K4
- 2025 KIA K4 (current)
- 2026 KIA K4 — 1 complaint
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