2026 Kia K4: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2026 Kia K4 at 28–33 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 13 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
28–33
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2026 Kia K4 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2026 Kia K4, newest first.
Seat belts: Rear/other: Anchorage
NHTSA 26V135000Reported Mar 6, 2026
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC364)
Units affected
14,870 (estimate)
Problem
Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Kia K4 vehicles. The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly.
Risk
A seat belt buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the anchor buckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC364. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 20, 2026.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2026 Kia K4 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2026 Kia K4 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2026 Kia K4 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2026 KIA K4 4 DR N/A FWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.9%
Standard
2026 KIA K4 5DR 5 HB N/A FWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
5 stars
9.9%
Standard & Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2026 Kia K4 owner complaints
Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Kia K4, most recently on Oct 8, 2026. 6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2026 Kia K4 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Steering
5
Unknown or other
5
Electrical system
2
Lane departure: Assist
2
Vehicle speed control
2
Air bags
1
Engine
1
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control
