2015 Kia K900 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe headlights that flicker or switch off while driving, and a dashboard top that warps over the passenger airbag. Other complaints describe a brake recall repair part that was not yet available, sudden shutdowns or no-start events, and steering shake or vibration at road speed. Headlight reports span a wide mileage range, while the dashboard reports that give mileage are at high mileage and describe gradual change over years.

1. 1
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights flickering or switching off while driving

   • 16 complaints (30%)
   • median 26,384 mi at 4.7 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe headlights that flicker, go out, or come back on by themselves while driving, sometimes with the taillights, and sometimes when the turn signal is used. Some complaints tie the problem to automatic headlight mode, and some describe it at night, including on a highway. In several complaints the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and some owners were told their VIN was not included in a related recall. Reported across a wide mileage range, from 8,000 to 112,000 miles where mileage is given, and at night in some reports.

   Recall 16V2100002 related service bulletins

   What to check: A service bulletin describes replacing the multi-function light switch on certain LED-headlight vehicles, so ask whether that has been done. Test the headlights in both automatic and manual modes, including at night if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The LED headlights, in auto mode, flicker and then eventually go out while driving making this an incredible safety issue. This is intermittent and difficult to replicate during servicing. I've had it in twice with no repairs because they can't 'see the issue'. I now refuse to drive in the dark.”

   NHTSA complaint #11078287, filed 2018-03, 12,000 miles

   “While driving at night, the headlights flicker and then just turn off automatically. When I tried to manually turn them on, they will flicker again and then turn off automatically again. There is a recall on this exact thing happening to the same year, make and model as my car but I am told it doesn't apply to my VIN #. I am a single woman on a major highway (I 75 in Florida) with children, at night, when this happened and had to drive over 5 miles to the nearest exit where I felt safe to pull off the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11537695, filed 2023-08
2. 2
   Air bags

   Dashboard top warping over passenger airbag

   • 12 complaints (22%)
   • median 94,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe the dashboard top and its leather covering warping, separating, peeling, or rolling back, particularly over the passenger airbag area. Complaints say this could block or interfere with passenger airbag deployment in a collision, and some owners say they are reluctant to carry children in the front seat. Some reports say an upholstery shop judged that the dash needed replacement, and that the vehicle was not repaired. Described as gradual, developing over several years, with mileage given at about 94,000 and 110,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard above the passenger seat for warping, bubbling, or lifting, and ask whether the passenger airbag area has been checked or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The leather from the dashboard has rolled back and it will block, at least partially, the passenger airbag deployment if I’m in a front end collision. The lane keeping assistant doesn’t work at all. When driving 43 mph the car starts to vibrate until I reach a speed of 61-63 mph”

   NHTSA complaint #11483896, filed 2022-09

   “Dear Sir or Madam There are delaminating safety hazard issues on my KIA K900 that could lead to potential serious injuries or death that interfere with the passenger airbag. Over the last 3 years the top dash from the driver side across to the the passenger airbag has warped and continues to separates, leaving me afraid to drive or transport my children in the front seat overall. This puts me, my family and others at risk on a daily basis. While driving is a privilege, it my duty to protect my family and others who travel with me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11497510, filed 2022-12
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake recall repair delayed; parts not available

   • 16 complaints (30%)
   • median 61,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe being notified of a brake control module recall while the repair part was not yet available, and several say they have not experienced a failure. Complaints say the manufacturer had taken longer than reasonable for the repair, and some reports say the dealer confirmed that parts were not available. A complaint says the local dealer would not schedule the repair, so the car was taken to a certified dealer farther away, and that the manufacturer refused to cover the trip. Described after the recall notice while repair parts were unavailable, and in a report at about 105,000 miles.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake control module recall has been completed, and confirm the current parts status with a dealer.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “RECALL MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER SC284KH NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 23V652 KIA REFUSES TO PAY FOR DELIVERING THE CAR TO THEIR CERTIFIED K-900 DEALERSHIP KIA issued a recall in June of 2023. They notified us in March of 2024. We took our car to the local Dealer, but they would not give us an appointment. However, This local dealer in Tallahassee is not a K-900 Kia-designated dealer, anyway.. IN other words they can't fix k-900s. SO, We generally take the car to the closest K-900 certified dealer which is in Dothan, Alabama. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11613533, filed 2024-09

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11581097, filed 2024-04, 105,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering shake and vibration while driving

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 8,000 mi at 1.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe vibration at road speed, and steering wheel shake or pulling over bumps, uneven surfaces, or when turning in reverse. Some reports point to tires and wheels, including a replacement tire with tread separating and rims that were dented. According to a complaint, a phone call described the feeling as normal for the model. Where mileage is given, these reports are at or under 8,300 miles, though a tire complaint describes vibration returning at about 22,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the tires for uneven or separating tread, and ask whether wheel balance, alignment, and rim condition have been inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased 3/9/15 in co.drove to get the car because we wanted a vip option pckg.many vip features are adaptive/accessible options for my 100% combat disabled veteran husband.on 3/11,the first time we put the car in reverse, and when turning the wheel, the steering column shuddered like a vehicle had hit the car. The car was at cottonwood/pitre Kia 4 times over the next 3 months for a total of 2 months of the first 3 months. The dealer couldn't duplicate the problem,the GM drove the car, and said it was ok. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10736055, filed 2015-07, 1,150 miles

   “When you hit a bump or a uneven surface the car just don't like it,in fact the car even move the steering well one side to another with a shaking filing teeth feels like the weells are loose or something,at the same time the steering well move giving you a feeling that you may not going to be able to control the car,very disappoint it with Kia.they need to fix this.I call and they say is normal for the K900 to drive like that .really Kia I think you are wrong.try not to hit a bump or a little hole in the road because you may not be able to …”

   NHTSA complaint #10896676, filed 2016-08, 8,300 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Engine stalling, shutdowns, or no-start

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 15,500 mi at 1.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2026

   Owners describe the engine stalling or the vehicle shutting down while driving or idling, often with warning lights on. Other complaints describe a no-start condition with a brake fuse warning, and repeated shutdowns that continued after battery, sensor, and alternator replacements. According to complaints, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle in some cases but could not determine the reason. Where mileage is given, these reports are at 8,968 and 15,000 miles, and they occur while driving or idling.

   What to check: Ask for records of any shutdowns, no-start events, or electrical repairs, and check for warning lights on the instrument panel at startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In december, 2015, my 6 month old 2015 Kia K900 with no more than 8,000 miles refused to start. Two and half hours later, with two tow trucks on the scene, aided by Kia roadside assistance, the car finally re-started. Less than a month later on sunday, january 3rd, 2016 I left the driveway heading west, and about 4 houses down at approx. 25 miles per hour the vehicle began to 'shut down.' there was loud screeching sound, the steering wheel shook, and all the electronics went dead. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10851209, filed 2016-03, 8,968 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11761297, filed 2026-09

Buying note. The headlight and dashboard complaints concern parts that can be checked, so ask about the light-switch service bulletin and inspect the dash top above the passenger seat. Since a brake recall repair part was not yet available in several reports, ask the seller to confirm the status of that recall.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.