2025 Kia K4 recalls and problems

The 2025 Kia K4 has 2 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
53
Crashes / fires
11 / 1
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2025 Kia K4 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2025 Kia K4 recalls

Recall 26V-046: Electrical System

Reported Jan 26, 2026 · 42,677 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

Recall 25V-548: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Aug 25, 2025 · 30 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2025 Kia K4 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System17
Unknown or Other13
Lane Departure10
Forward Collision Avoidance9
Power Train9
Engine8
Air Bags7
Steering5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Back Over Prevention4
Service Brakes2

Most reported parts

  • Lane Departure › Assist — 5
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 4
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 4
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 2
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 1
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2025 Kia K4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Nov 10, 2026
When driving it felt like the car wants to die out and then they felt like a rubber band goes high. RPMs then shuts all the way down to low and then it stutters at around 48 mph. Can’t hold a steady speed without feeling jerky and most definitely doesn’t match speed with rpm’s
Visibility/Wiper · reported Nov 10, 2026
2025 Kia K4 Dashboard visibility danger. Over reflective dash produces blinding windshield view to driver as regards on-coming traffic, curves, dangerous intersections.
Electrical System · reported Nov 9, 2026
Vehicle sat for 6+ hours and caught fire on its own. When the firefighters showed up, they asked if I had been in a wreck, there had been no wrecks on this vehicle in the less than 23K miles it had on it. Something according to their thermal guns got caught behind the drivers side screen panel and got hot. This caused the entire front dash to melt and something to projectile outwards through the bottom left hand corner of the front windshield. Luckily, this car was out in the open, their emergency sensor went off causing the car horn to go off nonstop, alerting me of the issue, otherwise I…
Electrical System · reported Nov 4, 2026
Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2025 Kia K4 Unexpected Engine Shutdown I own a 2025 Kia K4 purchased new in August 2025. I am reporting a serious and recurring safety concern involving unexpected engine shutdown while the vehicle is being operated. The vehicle has experienced intermittent engine shutdowns, including while traveling at highway speeds. During these incidents, the vehicle switches into Accessory Mode, resulting in an unexpected loss of engine power while in motion. This issue first began before the vehicle reached 24,000 miles. The vehicle currently has approximately 58,000 miles. I…
Lane Departure · at 9,000 miles · reported Nov 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the lane keep steering assist erroneously engaged causing the vehicle to steer out of the intended lane. The contact stated that the failure was recurrent, causing the vehicle to unintendedly steer to the left and to crash into a concrete median wall on one occasion. The failure mileage was 9,000.

Other Kia K4 years

20262025

Compare all Kia K4 years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2025 Kia K4 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2025 Kia K4: 26V-046 (electrical system), 25V-548 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2025 Kia K4?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (17 reports), followed by unknown or other (13). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.