KiaK42025Overview/kia/k4/2025/base/

2025 Kia K4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2025 K4.

The 2025 Kia K4 enters its model year as a sedan built on Kia's platform with standard internal combustion engine powertrains, representing the fourth generation of this nameplate; while specific performance figures remain consistent with the model's established character, the reliability data for this model year shows 40 owner complaints logged to date with the most frequently cited issue area falling into an undetermined category, and two safety recalls have been issued, positioning this year's K4 within a reliability context that reflects the typical range of minor manufacturing issues seen across Kia's model lineup while maintaining the brand's overall track record for dependable vehicles.

Model year20262025

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length185.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase107.1 in
Curb weight2954 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the K4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–9.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 2025 GT-Line Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2025GT-Line Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.30 sec190 hpFWD
2025GT-Line Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.10 sec15.50 sec190 hpFWD
2025GT-Line Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.70 sec190 hpFWD
2025LXS 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.20 sec147 hpFWD
2025GT-Line 2.0L I-49.10 sec17.00 sec147 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 48,000 mi; coolant every 24,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 24,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 8,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect) · Intercooler (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 16,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 24,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

As the generation's introductory year, the 2025 Kia K4 carries a heavier federal record than 2026, with 40 complaints, 2 recalls, and 18 TSBs versus the 2026 model's 6 complaints, 1 recall, and 6 TSBs. The 2025 data shows no investigations, no fire complaints, and 8 crash-related complaints, though the filings do not specify root causes. Complaint concentration is diffuse: the largest category is "Unknown or Other" with 6 reports, followed by powertrain/engine and electrical system with 3 each, and air bags with 2. The downward trend into 2026 suggests early-production noise may be diminishing, but 2025 remains the most reported year in this limited two-year arc. Given the higher complaint and TSB volume without a clearly defined dominant defect, buyers should treat 2025 as an unproven launch-year candidate and verify recall completion and service history before purchasing.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
18
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other6
Power Train,Engine3
Electrical System3
Air Bags2
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine1
Power Train1
Structure,Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

25V548000Engine And Engine Cooling:Critical FastenersReported 25/08/2025

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power. Remedy: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…

26V046000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 27/01/2026

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid… Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 18 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_ELE4142026-04-28Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BODY DOMAIN CONTROLLER (BDC) REPLACEMENT (CA2515) - This…
TSB_ELE4172026-04-14Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin…
TSB_ELE4132026-03-20Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific K4. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2025 K4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.