YearToAvoid

2015 Kia K900 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 K900 years

The 2015 Kia K900 has the highest complaint index (100) of any K900 year and ranks worst (1st of 6). NHTSA lists 54 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 crash, 1 fire, and a top problem area of Electrical System (48% of complaints), making it an Avoid year relative to other K900 model years.

Complaints
54
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
16.5 city / 24.5 hwy

Top 2015 Kia K900 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System26 (48%)
  2. Airbags14 (26%)
  3. Brakes9 (17%)
  4. Other7 (13%)
  5. Engine6 (11%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body5 (9%)
  8. Steering3 (6%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Headlights lose illumination or flicker/flash while driving, sometimes worsening when the turn signal is used.
  • Adaptive headlamps fail and point in the wrong direction, cutting light coverage during turns.
  • The driver's airbag warning light activates intermittently while driving or parked, with no clear cause.
  • The infotainment screen freezes, goes black, then reboots and requires re-accepting terms while driving.
  • Owners report a bump or uneven road surface causing the steering wheel to shake and pull side to side.
  • The engine has stalled at various speeds and while idling, with warning lights appearing before the stall.
2015 Kia K900 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2015Aug 2016Mar 2018Jul 2022Dec 2022Dec 2023Sep 2024Apr 2026
80 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2015 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2024 (5).

2015 Kia K900 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V210000Apr 12, 2016Electrical System3,099 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    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.

    Risk: Loss of headlight illumination may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

2015 Kia K900 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
24.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,775
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2015 compared with other K900 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Avoid10054219.5
2016Avoid8010319
2017No verdict402219

All Kia K900 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Kia K900 reliable?
Relative to other K900 model years, the 2015 is the least favorable, with a complaint index of 100 and the worst rank (1st of 6 years tracked). NHTSA lists 54 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
What problems does the 2015 Kia K900 have?
Electrical System complaints make up 48% of reports, including headlight and infotainment failures, with a median failure mileage of 22,000. Airbags (26%) and Brakes (17%) are the next most common problem areas.
Are there recalls on the 2015 Kia K900?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls: a 2023 brake recall covering multiple Kia models including the 2015-2018 K900, and a 2016 recall for a multi-function switch affecting LED headlights on 2015-2016 K900 vehicles.
How does the 2015 K900 compare to other years?
The 2015 K900 has a complaint index of 100, higher than 2016 (80), 2019 (60), 2017 (40), 2020 (20), and 2018 (0), making 2015 the worst-ranked year among the six years with data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.