2015-2020 Kia K900 Reliability Score: 6.5 out of 10

68 NHTSA Complaints

4 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

1 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

6.5 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 10 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 6.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Covers the 2015 to 2019 model years only (the generation ran 2015 to 2020).

Breakdown

Complaints overall10 complaints against about 6 for similar vehicles

6.5

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

2015n/a
2016n/a
2019n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Kia K900 Unidentified Engine

59 complaints 19.7 per year

1 fire report

View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior

safety systems

electrical

brakes

engine

Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

GDI LAMBDA 2

3.8L

6 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

exterior

other

safety systems

T-GDI LAMBDA II

3.3L 6-cyl Turbo / 365 hp

2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine

electrical

exterior

transmission

Same engine used in

GENESIS G70 (2019-2025)

DOHC GDI THETA-II

2.4L

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior

wheels tires

Same engine used in

HYUNDAI Sonata (2006-2010)HYUNDAI Sonata (2015-2019)HYUNDAI Sonata (2020-2024)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia K900, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Exterior: 21 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 17 owner complaints

Electrical System: 15 owner complaints

Brakes: 11 owner complaints

Engine: 9 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2015-2020 Kia K900

On a used 2015-2020 Kia K900, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the exterior lighting (21), the airbags and driver-assist systems (17) and the electrical system (15). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 21 owner complaints on the 2015-2020 Kia K900 about the exterior lighting.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2015-2020 Kia K900 about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2015-2020 Kia K900 about the electrical system.
On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2015-2020 Kia K900 about the brakes.
Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2015-2020 Kia K900 about the engine.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2015-2020 Kia K900

Recalls (4)

24V169000Mar 1, 2024serious

Engine & Cooling

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019-2020 K900, and 2018-2023 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil.

23V652000Sep 25, 2023serious

Service Brakes

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.

22V051000Feb 2, 2022serious

Service Brakes

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.

16V210000Apr 12, 2016serious

Exterior Lighting

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.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Lexus

2001-2006

9.7/10

5 engines / 194 complaints

3 engines / 215 complaints

4 engines / 388 complaints

3 engines / 28 complaints

4 engines / 134 complaints

6 engines / 1,015 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2015-2020 Kia K900 complaints?

Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2020 Kia K900. The systems they name most often are the exterior, the safety systems and the electrical system.

Is the 2015-2020 Kia K900 a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015-2020 Kia K900. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015-2020 Kia K900 have?

NHTSA has 68 owner complaints on file for the 2015-2020 Kia K900 as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2015-2020 Kia K900?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2015-2020 Kia K900 vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Kia K900?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the exterior, the safety systems and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the K900 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2015-2020 Kia K900. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 68 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.