KiaK9002015Overview/kia/k900/2015/base/

2015 Kia K900

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 K900.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2015 Kia K900 is a passenger car requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API engine oil. This model year recorded two recalls and 51 owner complaints, with exterior lighting identified as the primary area of concern. Within the 2015-2020 model history, 2015 represents the peak of owner complaints, contrasting with the low of two complaints reported for 2017.

Model year202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · 950 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI NS · 950 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnONOEM · verified
Tire sizeFRONT P245/45R19; REAR P275/40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rimFRONT 8.0; REAR 9.0 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.4 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase120.1 in
Curb weight4277 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

Independent road tests for the K900 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.5–6.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.50 sec — 2015 Luxury V8
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.50 sec13.90 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.50 sec14.10 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.50 sec13.80 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.50 sec13.90 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.60 sec14.00 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V85.60 sec14.00 sec420 hpRWD
2015Luxury V8 5.0L V86.00 sec14.50 sec420 hpRWD
2016Luxury V6 3.8L V66.20 sec14.60 sec311 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV-RR, P/N 00232-19052
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.0 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity9.125
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts289-297 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts22.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub144-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)500-700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)450-650 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity22.8-23.84 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance950 cca
Standard BCI Cranking Performance780 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-75 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-75 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 128-144 / max variation 14 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 135 - 156 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0106-0.0129 in
Intake Valve Lash0.0008-0.0019 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0012-0.0021 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 16-; Rear: 16-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 72-; Rear: 58-; Front: 72-; Rear: 58-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.118; Rear: .449
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0012; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil.

129.0 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
2120 degrees120 degrees
314.0-17.0 ft. lbs.14–17 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil. Apply a 3.5mm - 4.5mm bead of a suitable RTV sealant to the cylinder corners of both sides of the cylinder head gasket. Assemble the cylinder head within five minutes of sealant application.

1Bolts 1-1024–27 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1090 degrees
3Bolts 1-10120 degrees
4Bolts 11 and 1226 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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.

Every 7,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 40,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark 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.

The 2015 Kia K900 represents the peak of consumer complaints within this generation, recording 51 complaints—more than five times the next highest year (10 in 2016)—and the highest number of TSBs at 72, indicating substantial early-model reliability issues that required extensive technical attention. The complaint trend shows a dramatic decline year-over-year, dropping from 51 in 2015 to just 2 by 2017 and zero by 2018, suggesting Kia addressed the majority of initial defects through engineering updates and recalls. The 2015 model is notably the only year with a crash complaint and one of just two years with a fire-related complaint in the record, while the exterior lighting system (14 complaints) and air bag system (5 complaints) emerged as the primary defect areas. The single NHTSA investigation spanning 2015-2018 applies to this target year, though it concluded without a formal recall. Given this data, the 2015 model year presents elevated risk compared to later years in the generation, as it bears the brunt of inaugural-model teething problems that subsequent years largely resolved.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
51
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 51 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting14
Air Bags5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Air Bags,Structure3
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine2
Air Bags,Unknown Or Other2
Engine2
Wheels2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V210000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 12/04/2016

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… 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…

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 25/09/2023

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
TSB_TRA046_R42024-05-16Power TrainThis bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and…
TSB_TRA046_R32022-11-18Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides…
TSB_ENG219_R12022-09-16Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised…

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 K900. 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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 K900 take?

6.0 qt of Preferred oil 5W-30 ACEA A5/B5 API Certification. Above 0 degreesF 10W-30 ACEA A5/B5 API Certification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 K900 have open recalls?

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