2016 Kia K900 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
What could happen: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this re…
What to do
- Park outside, away from houses, garages and other cars — there is a fire risk even when the vehicle is off.
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 K900.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 22V051000 (manufacturer code SC227).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: 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 install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
2. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: Loss of headlight illumination may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 K900.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 16V210000 (manufacturer code SC130).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
3. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
What could happen: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Park outside, away from houses, garages and other cars — there is a fire risk even when the vehicle is off.
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2016 K900.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 23V652000 (manufacturer code SC284).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2016 Kia K900 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (3), Engine (2), Airbags (2), Lights (2), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
11/25/2023 · Electrical system
There is a safety recall on my K900 Kia. That it could catch fire while driving or parked. I called the parts department of Kia and they said they do not have any remedy at this point. The recall notice states that if the repair is not going to be done in a timely manner that I have the right to put in the complaint with nhtsa which I am doing. My family an…
05/26/2023 · Airbags
My leather dash is rippling/tearing, I am afraid it is a risk of interrupting the passenger airbag deployment. I first noticed my leather dash rippling around the HUD area in April of 2022. In September of 22, it began rippling where the leather cover meets the hood. This April of 2023, it has begun rippling on the passenger airbag area. I have an appoi…
04/16/2023 · Engine
I want to make a formal complaint against High Desert Kia in Victorville California that they haven't taken the necessary steps to get this recall that's against my Kia K900 remedied quickly and this recall can cause a fire. A recall was sent to me in February 2022 and this recall still has not been complete so please I need your assistance to get this tak…
01/25/2023 · Electrical system
While driving with the lights in auto mode, the light flicker and sometime go off. I took the car to the dealer to have it repaired. I was charged over $700 for the repair. I have since found out that this is an issue as noted in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall.
12/27/2022 · Lights
The contact owns a 2016 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights ceased to operate as needed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior…
12/02/2022 · Unknown Or Other
My dashboard is bubbling up on my passenger and drivers side.
04/13/2022 · Electrical system
I drove to an appointment when I got ready to leave the car was fine then the epb light came on I put it into drive because I know that will release it, per the car manual instructions. It did not release the brakes and the car would not move. Had to call a tow truck the car was stuck in place. Per manual it states the epb will come on by itself at any time…
03/29/2018 · Airbags
2016 KIA K-900. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT ENGAGE/ACTIVATE - AIRBAG LIGHT OFF WITH OCCUPANT SEATED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIRBAG COULD NOT BE FIXED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF HEAVY CLOTHING WAS BEING WORN. THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO A HANDICAP THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF…