KnownCarProblems2025 Kia K4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Kia K4, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints). It is the most complained-about K4 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2025 Kia K4 problems
Electrical
14 complaints · 30%Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle downshifted upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with heavy white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The contact pulled…
Driver assistance
13 complaints · 28%Parts named most often: assist, warnings, warning, automatic emergency braking.
The contact owned a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was pulling to the left unintendedly. The contact stated that upon disengaging the lane keep assist, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to discount tire, where the tire pressure was adjusted. The…
Other or unspecified
12 complaints · 26%Engine
9 complaints · 19%The contact owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the vehicle downshifted upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with heavy white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated prior to the failure. The contact pulled…
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart but would immediately stall again, requiring the driver to wait approximately 10 minutes before the vehicle could be successfully restarted and driven. The vehicle was…
Transmission
8 complaints · 17%Air bags
7 complaints · 15%Steering
5 complaints · 11%Speed control
4 complaints · 9%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2025 Kia K4 recalls
Electrical: instrument cluster/panel
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.
Full defect summary
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."
Engine: critical fasteners
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2025 Kia K4
- What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia K4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (14 complaints); driver assistance (13 complaints); other or unspecified (12 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2025 Kia K4 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 26, 2026 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2025 a bad year for the Kia K4?
- It is the most complained-about K4 model year since 2000, with 47 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Kia K4 years
- 2025