2025 Kia K4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 15%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2025 Kia K4, 15% of the 47 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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”
NHTSA complaint #11729395, filed 2026-04“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”
NHTSA complaint #11685834, filed 2025-09“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11748312, filed 2026-07“Transmission failure 4 times since purchasing it new in December 2024 I was almost killed multiple times on the highway because car won’t accelerate. Car is jumping when driving and choking Air conditioning shuts off while driving Car gets stuck in park and nothing will work”
NHTSA complaint #11683919, filed 2025-08““The engine undercover (belly pan) detached and is dragging/scraping on the ground on a 2025 Kia K4 with approximately one year of normal use. The radiator support is also affected. Dealer (Selma Kia, Selma CA) denied warranty coverage and stated damage was caused by driver hitting a speed bump. These are factory-installed components on a one-year-old vehicle and should not detach under normal driving conditions. This appears to be a fitment or installation defect.””
NHTSA complaint #11745734, filed 2026-06Related service bulletins
- 11026532Dec 2, 2025RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR WARNING LIGHTS (SA621) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Engine Control Unit…
- 11023283Sep 13, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM JUDGEMENT LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P218100 (SA621) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Module…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% |
| 2025 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2025 Kia K4
14 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2025 Kia K4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology