Kia K4 Complaints (2025)

45 consumer complaints on file.

#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
#11689961September 26, 2025
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
While driving on the freeway in the left lane on a two-lane highway, the lane departure and steer ahead feature incorrectly adjusted steering and pulled vehicle into the right lane. Is incorrect adjustment due to lane departure has happened numerous times. Each time this occurred I was not using copilot features. The lane departure cannot be turned off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689913September 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
KIA K4 WITH 500 MILES ON IT. EXPERIENCED POPPING NOISE FROM THE WINDSHIELD AS IF A STONE HIT THE WINDSHIELD WHEN CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE AC IS ON AND THE SUN IS HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE AT LEAST 8 SMALL CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD AS A RESULT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN ANYWHERE THAT HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF ROCKS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. IT'S HAPPENED TWICE AT THE SAME EXACT RED LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME OF DAY. I DID REPORT TO KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ASSIGNED A CASE #25559045. THE INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER SERVICE DEPT SO THEY CAN SEE THE ISSUES AND HEAR THE NOISE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689694September 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I had a diagnostic appointment on 9/8/25 for my 2025 Kia K4 due to a popping noise on the windshield that happens when the weather is hot/sun on windshield. Once the diagnostic was complete, the recommendation from the dealer was to replace the windshield since it was not factory. The dealer did hear the noise during the diagnostic. I purchased the vehicle Jan 2025 and I start hearing the popping noise in June 2025 (factory windshield #1). In August 2025, the windshield was replaced by a company due to what I assumed was a rock hitting my windshield that cause a crack that grew rapidly (windshield #2). The noise continued. My diagnostic results recommended replacing the windshield again. The windshield was replaced again in Sep 2025 (windshield #3). The windshield is still making the same popping noise when out in the sun. From what I've read, this is an ongoing issue with the 2025 Kia K4 vehicles regarding a possible plastic dashboard trim contracting and expanding in the new K4 vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688136September 18, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS SAME INCIDENT HAD HAPPENED 6 TIMES PRIOR TO MY BEING ABLE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF MY DASHBOARD. THE CRUISE CONTROL CHANGES ON ITS OWN TO 90 OR 110 MPH AND THE ACCELERATION BEGINS ON ITS OWN VERY AGGRESIVELY. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SPEED LIMIT AS YOU WILL SEE ON THE PICTURE, THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 AND I HAD ALREADY STEPPED ON MY BRAKE TO WHERE MY SPEED WAS THEN 59. I HAVE TAKEN IT FOR SERVICE AT ED MORSE KIA IN SIERRA VISTA, AZ AND THE PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED OR FIXED. I HAVE TOLD THE SALES MGR. AND SERVICE MGR. ABOUT THIS AND LEFT MESSAGES FOR CALL BACK AND HAVE NOT BEEN ACCOMODATED. I AM NOT SAFE IN THIS SITUATION. THEY ARE AWARE THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR OTHER KIA VEHICLES AND THERE IS A GOOGLE SEARCH THAT SHOWS THE SAME CONCERNS (WHICH I HAVE A PICTURE OF AS WELL). AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM (NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE INITIAL SAFETY ISSUE, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT ON MY DASHBOARD HAS CHANGED TO 90 WHEN THE ACTUAL LIMIT IS 45 ETC. MY MAIN CONCERN OF COURSE IS THE SELF ACCELERATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11685834September 8, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
Sluggish acceleration, after I got an oil change a few weeks ago. No warning lights whatsoever, I’m thinking it’s the transmission , taking awhile to speed up especially on highway
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684281September 1, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There is a defect with the WINDSHIELD glass. The windshield glass gives off an audible "SNAP" or "POP" noise when the inside of the windshield glass experiences a stress crack. This is not a crack that can be felt from the inside, or the outside. It is actually inside the glass and it can only be seen when the sun hits the windshield a certain way. Eventually failure of the windshield is imminent. The windshield glass internally fractures under normal driving conditions. It happens commonly, and intermittently, probably at least once per week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684275September 1, 2025
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
The airbags failed to go off. I think the vehicle is still available it was towed to Carroll's in Winslow Maine. By the airbags not going off it made the risk of injury much greater. Also lost control of the steering all together. Tried to swerve to miss an animal and the steering assist took over. Yes we have a police report stating that the airbags didn't go off. I am sure budget had their people go look at the car. No warning lights present.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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