NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints for the 2026 Kia K4. Most complaints involve steering (5) and lane departure (4). The EPA rates it 28–33 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Kia K4 vehicles. The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Driving home, the entire screen flickered, then went out, when it came back the drivers assist lane assist kicked in and the car steered itself into oncoming traffic, which forced an oncoming car in front had to lock its brakes to avoid a collision. Then after forcing the steering out of the incoming lane, the lane assist came back on causing collision with the curb in the opposite direction. After resetting the computer with a pin, and watching the screen flicker and blink, it came back on and now the car is parked at home. Hewitt police would not come out because it was in Waco (the car is garaged in Hewitt), and Waco police said it was not in their jurisdiction so no police report was made.”
“The vehicle issues began 3 weeks after purchasing a 2026 Kia K4 with 89 miles on it. *"Key fob not recognized", black screen, car not starting and cascading into many other infotainment problems. ** Revving far higher (1.4 - 4.4) with the slightest acceleration ***Hesitating, them engaging so suddenly that steering is incredibly difficult. On more than one occasion, of someone had been in front of me, I would have hit them. ****All steering assist options OFF yet the car will take control and turn me towards oncoming traffic. I absolutely could have been in/caused a serious accident. •We have had it into the service department 3 times and they were "unable to replicate" in spite of the fact that the second technician was unable to lock/unlock the door while my husband was standing with him. They refused to see the videos that we had of some of the problems.They lied about how far it was driven. 2 of the visits the average speed limit was 23 and 25 mph. Total miles driven: 11 v/s the 39 reported. One visit claims 4 miles but our app shows nothing for the time it was being looked at. •I have asked many times if the computer system had been checked for error codes…”
“The contact owns a 2026 Kia K4. While driving 37 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted, and the message "Press Engine Start/Stop" was displayed with the key warning light illuminated. The following night, the contact started and then turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle restarted independently without the Engine Start/Stop button being pressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 25,352.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K4 4DR w/ DMS Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 33 | $1,900 | 269 |
| K4 without DMS Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 39 | 33 | $1,900 | 267 |
| K4 Hatchback Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 34 | 30 | $2,100 | 289 |
| K4 Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 314 |
| K4 Hatchback Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 28 | $2,200 | 314 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall 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.
Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (5), lane departure (4), electrical system (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Kia K4 at 28–33 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Kia K4 5 out of 5 stars overall.