Kia K4 Complaints

52 consumer complaints on file.

#11729402April 6, 2026
STEERING
While driving my 2025 Kia K4, the steering system failed and became unresponsive. I was unable to steer the vehicle as intended. The exact cause of the steering failure is UNKNOWN at this time. The vehicle and steering components are available for inspection upon request. The loss of steering control put my safety and passengers riding at serious risk because I could not properly control the direction of the vehicle. Steering is essential for avoiding hazards, staying in the lane, and maintaining control. The failure resulted in a single‑vehicle accident and could have caused serious injury or involved other motorists if traffic conditions had been different. The problem has not yet been confirmed by a Kia dealership or an independent service center. At the time of this report, the vehicle has not been inspected by Kia or another repair facility. Police and/or insurance involvement may have occurred due to the accident, but no mechanical inspection of the steering system has been completed yet. There were no warning lights, messages, or alerts prior to the steering failure. The problem occurred suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was being driven. I did not notice any clear symptoms before losing steering control. The exact cause of the steering failure is UNKNOWN. Based on my personal experience, the failure was sudden and unexpected and occurred during normal driving conditions. I had no prior indication that there was a problem with the steering system before the accident occurred.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729395April 6, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
As I entered onto i4 reaching the speed of 60 miles an hour my vehicle began to make a high pitched whining noise that got louder as I pressed on the gas pedal, noise dissipated when I let off the gas pedal. Vehicle began to slow down on its own , even when applying pressure to the gas pedal, I had no choice but to pull over on i4, error message displayed “RED CAUTION EMBLEM” error message “Transmission Control Unit” Kia k4 app displayed Diagnostic Alert AT PO72200
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721339March 2, 2026
AIR BAGS
After having my information panel replaced apx. a month later the airbag for passenger seat illuminated and has not gone off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720323February 25, 2026
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Steering Instability: The steering wheel would periodically veer to the right and left on its own without my input. This created an unsafe driving condition and required constant correction to maintain control of the vehicle. Blind Spot / Reverse Detection Malfunction: When shifting the vehicle into reverse, the dashboard display indicated that no vehicle was present. However, when visually checking my driver-side mirror, there was clearly a vehicle immediately adjacent to my car. The system failed to detect or warn of the nearby vehicle, creating a significant near missed accident and safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719127February 19, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Engine Failure, Engine cooling and lost power
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718955February 18, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
transmission stopped working when the vehicle was used under 200 miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11718311February 16, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717827February 13, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: AUTOMATIC SYSTEM BRAKING
The insurance claim agent called on behalf of their insured driver, who rented a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that while their insured driver was attempting to reverse, the reverse sensor became inoperable with no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the reverse sensor failed to function properly. The contact stated that due to the failure, the rear of the vehicle crashed into a barrier. The driver did not suffer any injuries, and no medical attention was required. A police report was not filed. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy during the incident. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The rental company was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was not available.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716251February 6, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
The 2025 Kia K4 sensors failed to go off resulting in the rear bumper to hit a barrell. The operator of the Kia K4 was reversing at 1mph
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715310February 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The digital instrument panel (including infotainment screen) has occasionally turned off and back on. An article showed Kia and Hyundai were going to have a recall at the end of March for this problem, but noted only 2025 K4 vehicles built after Aug 4, 2025 were involved, while the door frame shows my vehicle built 7/2025. Please include my vehicle VIN in the planned software update for the problem to correct the instrument panel screen occasionally turning off and back on. (vehicle recently bought Jan. 2026)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714428January 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When I drive over 65 mph, I feel the car lose stability, and sometimes I feel those movements in the steering wheel. Also, it doesn't show the actual tire tread depth. In addition. And there is a burning smell.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711366January 16, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
There are times my vehicle keeps accelerating even though I’m hitting the brakes. Once stopped, it then doesn’t want to accelerate. I’ve reported to the dealership and they try to tell me it’s the type of transmission it has and that it’s normal. Continuing to accelerate while braking is extremely unsafe. My engine is also making a ticking noise that it never used to make. I bought my car brand new in October of 2025. I left the dealership with 9 miles on it, I now have 25k miles on it and I don’t feel safe driving it. The lane assist and emergency braking system is also extremely inaccurate and over corrects when it shouldn’t especially in bad weather. Emergency braking is detecting stuff in front of me that isn’t actually there, same with in reverse it sees things extremely far away and prevents you from moving, although it’s safe to do so.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711102January 15, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the brake pedal area of my newly leased Kia K4 GT-Line. There is a metal bracket/component located directly above the brake pedal that interferes with foot placement. My foot becomes caught on this bracket when attempting to apply the brake, which delays or prevents proper brake application. On [XXX], while exiting the roadway and attempting to stop at a stop sign, my foot became stuck on this bracket as I applied the brake. This caused a delay in braking and nearly resulted in an accident. I was shocked and frightened, as this situation could have resulted in a life-threatening collision. I took the vehicle to the dealership, Kia Beavercreek in Dayton, Ohio, for inspection. The dealership reviewed the vehicle and stated that they were unable to fix the issue. I was told there was “nothing wrong” with the vehicle and that I simply did not know how to drive it. Despite this, the obstruction remains and continues to interfere with safe braking. Because this defect directly affects my ability to safely apply the brakes, I do not feel safe operating this vehicle. This is a critical safety issue involving brake operation that poses a risk of serious injury or death. The vehicle has extremely low mileage, and the dealership has acknowledged the concern but stated it cannot be corrected. Photos of the brake pedal area are available and clearly show the metal bracket near the brake pedal that causes the obstruction I can not put life and others life in danger driving this car. Please assist INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708024December 31, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Location: Intersection of [XXX] and [XXX] Lakeville, MN Date/Time: [XXX], at approximately [XXX] Vehicle: 2025 Kia K4 (911 call placed at 10:08 am) On [XXX], while traveling toward the roundabout at [XXX] and [XXX], my vehicle experienced a sudden and violent unintended acceleration. Despite having my foot completely off the gas pedal, the engine began to accelerate the vehicle rapidly on its own. I immediately attempted to regain control by pumping the brake pedal repeatedly with significant force. These efforts had no effect; the vehicle continued to accelerate faster and faster. As the speed increased, the vehicle began to swerve, and I realized I was losing control while rapidly closing the distance between myself, the roundabout, and the vehicles ahead of me. Fortunately, the right lane was clear. Because the vehicle was already veering in that direction and the brakes were failing to slow the car, I made a split-second decision to steer into a large snowbank to avoid a high-speed rear-end collision. The force of the impact with the snowbank was substantial, resulting in the front body panel and a lower front component being torn off the vehicle. The Lakeville Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene and were required to dig the vehicle out of the snow pile. I have attached the official police report to this statement. Had I not maintained a safe following distance or made the decision to steer off the road, the result would have been a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707033December 25, 2025
STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
I am reporting ongoing safety issues with my Kia K4 LXS involving driver assistance systems and steering control. While driving in heavy rain with reduced visibility, the vehicle disabled multiple sensors and displayed a “camera obscured” message along with inattentive driving warnings, despite both of my hands being on the steering wheel and my full attention on the road. The loss of driver assistance features during hazardous weather conditions created a distracting and dangerous situation. This issue occurs frequently. I regularly receive false inattentive driving and hands-on-wheel warnings even when I am driving properly. These alerts are distracting and interfere with safe vehicle operation. I am also experiencing lane control and steering interference. The steering wheel will sometimes pull the vehicle in a direction that does not match the road, even when lane assist is turned off. This is especially dangerous in construction zones with temporary lanes marked by reflectors, including when driving next to large trucks. I have experienced multiple near-miss incidents and have had to physically override the steering wheel to remain in my lane. These problems now occur almost every time I drive and have caused me to feel unsafe operating the vehicle. I believe this represents a serious safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706751December 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
High mounted rare brake (pulse)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706672December 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Bought car in Nov 24. Noticed a popping sound as if a rock was hitting windshield. Nothing hit windshield. The popping sound was intermittent but went on for months. Finally in August 2025, I noticed a crack in upper side of drivers windshield. Next day crack got bigger. Called safelite to replace. Had to park car with cover over windshield since I couldn’t get an appointment right away. Had to rent a car. Windshield replaced. Popping continues, less frequently but it still pops. Took it to Burlington Kia and explained my issue. They could not replicate the popping sound.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703067December 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
The contact's daughter owns a 2025 Kia K4. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound coming from the dashboard. Additionally, the contact stated that while his daughter was driving to the dealer, the speedometer displayed 70 MPH; however, the driver was pulled over by the Police and informed the driver that the vehicle was driving 90 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the body domain controller was replaced. The contact stated that while the owner was driving, a week later, the instrument panel and the infotainment system screen turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the owner was informed that the vehicle was test-driven every other day to determine the cause of the failure. The owner was provided with vehicle rental assistance. The contact stated that the dealer contacted the owner after 6 weeks and advised that the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, the owner was able to verify through the Mobile App that the dealer had only driven the vehicle twice, and the vehicle failed to exceed 38 MPH while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted for buy-back assistance, but the request was denied. The contact stated that a local Kia sales advisor stated that a consumer who owned the same vehicle had experienced a similar failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699024November 12, 2025
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Blind spot and front collision features inactive. Seat belt didn't unlock after crash. Airbags deployed no passenger didn't work on driver airbag b1652 dtc codes on recall for another vehicle
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11698275November 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Every time I drive my car randomly something sounds like a big pebble hits my windshield. My car is available for inspection upon request. My safety is put at risk cause it scares me(makes me jerk). This can cause me to accidently jerk my steering wheel and cause me to leave my lane & possible hit another vehicle. I have an appointment with the dealership repair center on Nov 9, 2025. I can get it inspected by possibly the police or my insurance agency. There are no warning lamps or messages prior to the sound of a rock hitting my windshield. This sound happens everytime I drive the car since I bought it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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