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Research · Midsize Cars

2025 Kia K4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints for the 2025 Kia K4. Most complaints involve electrical system (15) and engine (8). The EPA rates it 29–34 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

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Combined MPG
29–34mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2026
Owner complaints
49
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jan 27, 2026NHTSA 26V046000

Engine and engine cooling: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Aug 25, 2025NHTSA 25V548000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

49 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2025 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system15
  2. Engine8
  3. Lane departure8
  4. Power train8
  5. Air bags7
  6. Forward collision avoidance7
  7. Steering5
  8. Fuel/propulsion system4
  9. Vehicle speed control4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each K4 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202549
202613
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

15 reports1 crash
“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 previously brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnostic evaluation. However, the dealership was unable to reproduce the problem or identify its cause. The underlying safety concern remains unresolved. I am particularly concerned because an unexpected engine shutdown at highway speeds creates a significant risk of a collision and endangers the occupants of the vehicle and surrounding motorists. I have also become aware of other owner-reported incidents involving 2025 Kia K4 vehicles experiencing unexpected shutdowns and switching into Accessory Mode…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11775789

Engine

8 reports
“The car completely cut off while driving on the highway going 65 mph. This isn’t the first time it has turned off while driving. I had to pull over and put the car in park before it would turn back on. The error says Accessory Mode. I have taken the vehicle to Kia Dealership in Winston Salem but they told me they are unable to recreate the issue so they are unable to assist with the problem. The car turning off while driving has happened at least 20 times. I have repeatedly called Kia and they are unwilling to diagnose an issue with the vehicle unless it happens while they have it. I am putting myself and others at danger driving this vehicle. I contacted Hertz Auto sales where I purchased it and they directed me to contact Kia since I have a warranty. I plan on taking the car again but I can only hope the issue happens while they have it because this vehicle is VERY dangerous to be on the road and I have no other option than to be at the dealerships mercy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11748312

Lane departure

8 reports4 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026Lane departureCrash reportedODI 11775345
All 2025 K4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S1) · Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
K4
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
304034$1,850264
K4
Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with DMS · Front-Wheel Drive
293933$1,900273
K4
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
263629$2,150303
  • K4
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    30 city · 40 hwy · $1,850/yr
    34
    mpg comb.
  • K4
    Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, with DMS
    29 city · 39 hwy · $1,900/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • K4
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
KIA K4 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 20718
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2025 K4 questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Kia K4 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2025 Kia K4 problems?

Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (15), engine (8), lane departure (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Kia K4 get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Kia K4 at 29–34 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Kia K4?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Kia K4 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026