CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Kia · NHTSA safety record

2015 Kia K900

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 54 safety complaints about the 2015 Kia K900 with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes and the exterior lighting.

The most complained-about system is the exterior lighting, named in 18 complaints, 33% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 16,000 miles, the median across the 25 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2015 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

54 complaints on file

54

Complaints

1

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 18 · 33%
AIR BAGS 14 · 26%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 · 17%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 · 13%
ENGINE 6 · 11%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6 · 11%
STRUCTURE 4 · 7%
STEERING 3 · 6%
SUSPENSION 3 · 6%
WHEELS 3 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 2%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 54.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 13.

16 12 8 4
15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2015 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2015 Kia K900. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

2 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

23V652000 · September 25, 2023

Park outside until repaired

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 1,730,192 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

16V210000 · April 12, 2016

The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 K900 vehicles manufactured December 18, 2013 to January 11, 2016 and equipped with LED headlights. In the affected vehicles, when using the multi-function light switch in "AUTO" mode, electrical resistance may build in the switch and result in the headlights flickering or turning off when driving.
The risk
Loss of headlight illumination may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the multi-function switch, free of charge. The recall began on May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC130.

Kia Motors America · up to 3,099 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

1 injured · fire

Around 9/25/23, KIA service technicians confirmed that my vehicle had an engine fire rendering it inoperable. The incident appears consistent with NHTSA Recall Number 23V652: several engine compartment components melted due to the fire.¶For approximately 16 months, I persistently sought a resolution with KIA. Despite my efforts, KIA refused any corrective action & instead presented me with a $66,749.72 invoice for a new engine. This was alarming given I had purchased the most comprehensive extended warranty when acquiring the vehicle from an authorized KIA dealer (I am the original owner).¶The extended warranty company denied coverage, citing a general exclusion for overheating incidents.

NHTSA complaint 11630676, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

crash

My Kia Consumer Care Case #[XXX] assigned May 2024. For Lights/Headlights/Illumination Safety hazards. My complaint purpose is to explain & show docs. of my Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Viewing while using the headlights during the night. See attached snapshots taken on [XXX], [XXX] and [XXX] showing the Safety Hazards Interrupted Illumination LED Headlights/Loss of Headlight Visibility and indicating a Safety Risk with me having another crash. Due to this Safety Hazard issue, my vehicle safety driving is ONLY DURING THE DAY light DUE TO Interrupted Illumination Headlights/Loss of Headlight Visibility. I have also attached docs pertaining to the KIA RECALL #SC130 HEADLIGHT

NHTSA complaint 11609235, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

towed · 105,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the ABS and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint 11581097. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2015 Kia K900 developed a no-start condition and displayed a “Check Brake Fuse” warning starting July 4th 2026. The vehicle will not start, and the cause of the failure is currently unknown. It was perfectly fine. I took the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis and paid a diagnostic fee. The dealership inspected the vehicle but told me they were unable to determine what is causing the problem. The dealership advised me that all recalls on my vehicle are currently up to date. However, I am concerned because this model has previously been subject to a safety recall involving the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU)/ABS electrical system and fuse due to the possibility

NHTSA complaint 11761297, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle had the official HECU fire recall performed overheated less than 2 weeks later causing an overheated ECM power relay. Spoke with KIA corporate a represenative in the premium department is actively denying the existence of their court-ordered safety settlement and refusing to repair the vehicle. The dealership and Kia Corporate Customer Care are denying warranty coverage and refusing to recognize the active Kia HECU (Zakikhani) Settlement Extended Warranty for this dangerous thermal event."

NHTSA complaint 11759449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

73,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights were flickering or turning off unexpectedly. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA complaint 11753948. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

112,000 miles

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while the headlights were set to automatic mode while driving at night, the headlights unexpectedly turned off independently. However, while the headlights were manually turned to the on position, the headlights remained operational and without failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA complaint 11731861. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered intermittently and turned off occasionally without warning. The headlights eventually resumed normal operation while the contact continued driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting). The dealer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the manufacturer provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11655769. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Kia K900

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 10 3 —

Other 2015 Kia models

Optima 1,009 Soul 898 Sorento 750 Forte 260 Sportage 146 Sedona 139 RIO 52 Cadenza 48

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Kia on this site — 181 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst