2015 Kia K900

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the headlights and taillights were flickering or turning off unexpectedly. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

NHTSA ID

11753948

Incident

Mar 23, 2023

Mileage

73,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated that while the headlights were set to automatic mode while driving at night, the headlights unexpectedly turned off independently. However, while the headlights were manually turned to the on position, the headlights remained operational and without failure. The dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11731861

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

Mileage

112,000 mi

The contact owns a 2015 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the headlights flickered intermittently and turned off occasionally without warning. The headlights eventually resumed normal operation while the contact continued driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting). The dealer was also notified of the failure and the contact was provided the same information as the manufacturer provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11655769

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Around 9/25/23, KIA service technicians confirmed that my vehicle had an engine fire rendering it inoperable. The incident appears consistent with NHTSA Recall Number 23V652: several engine compartment components melted due to the fire.¶For approximately 16 months, I persistently sought a resolution with KIA. Despite my efforts, KIA refused any corrective action & instead presented me with a $66,749.72 invoice for a new engine. This was alarming given I had purchased the most comprehensive extended warranty when acquiring the vehicle from an authorized KIA dealer (I am the original owner).¶The extended warranty company denied coverage, citing a general exclusion for overheating incidents. They classified the engine fire as overheating, voiding the warranty I had purchased for added protection. This interpretation seems inconsistent with the warranty's intent & the nature of the incident.¶The fire risk aligns with the ABS module defect described in Recall 23V652 which states an electrical short can lead to significant overcurrent, increasing engine compartment fire risk.¶My vehicle had only accumulated about 40,000 miles. I had consistently followed a rigorous maintenance schedule & exercised meticulous care in vehicle upkeep throughout the entire lifespan of the vehicle.¶This situation has left me without transportation, imposed a severe financial burden & has harmed my professional career (I am founder & director of one of the world's most renowned quantum institutes).¶Most importantly, I am deeply concerned about the safety risks to other KIA owners.¶KIA's handling of serious recalls appears consistent with their unsatisfactory treatment of me. For recall #23V652, KIA delayed warning that nearly 1 million vehicles should be indefinitely parked & operated far away from ALL flammable materials. Reports indicate injuries, fatalities & property damage from this defect. Nevertheless, KIA has yet to provide an adequate solution to this critical safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11630676

Incident

Sep 25, 2023

The dash is warping and the leather is rolling up across the passenger side airbag. The leather around the center channel speaker is rolling back as well and going to cover the daytime running lamp sensor if it shrinks much further.

NHTSA ID

11628824

Incident

Dec 4, 2024

12/23/2023 my car started leaking oil. It took KIA 3 attempts to properly replace the valve cover gasket. Then my vehicle began having issues starting. They replaced my 1yr old battery, twice. The problem still occurred so they replaced crankshaft sensor. Since then, the vehicle has shut off on me completely 7 times. They have replaced the alternator now twice. The headlights flicker randomly, I lose power steering, and the vehicle will lose all power. I have to jump the car to get it started and it does not run like it did before. It lacks torque, it feels unsteady, and completely unsafe. Over the last few years the dash panel has completely melted off. I'm not a mechanic, but I believe there is either a short or and electrical issue caused by the heat of the dash. My car has been towed twice now, and is needing to be towed again for them to try to repair it, again.

NHTSA ID

11623539

Incident

Dec 23, 2023

Leather dash defective and is shrinking potentially interfering with airbag deployment on the front passenger side

NHTSA ID

11622631

Incident

Oct 1, 2024

RECALL MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER" SC284KH NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 23V652 KIA REFUSES TO PAY FOR DELIVERING THE CAR TO THEIR CERTIFIED K-900 DEALERSHIP KIA issued a recall in June of 2023. They notified us in March of 2024. We took our car to the local Dealer, but they would not give us an appointment. However, This local dealer in Tallahassee is not a K-900 Kia-designated dealer, anyway.. IN other words they can't fix k-900s. SO, We generally take the car to the closest K-900 certified dealer which is in Dothan, Alabama. Kia America refuses to pay for the tow to Dothan, and this local dealer is not certified and therefore refused to fix the problem. I tried again today, and still KIA America refuses to pay for the tow to Dothan to fix the car. Please advise

NHTSA ID

11613533

Incident

Sep 9, 2024

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or foreign substances while driving. Damage to the cover of the ultrasonic sensor can also lead to damage to the internal circuit. As a result of this external damage, the PDW system may not receive the proper signal from the ultrasonic sensor. In some cases, the system may cause a false alarm, no alert, or phantom warnings by a “Warning Lamp’ to be displayed on the cluster. The ultrasonic sensor membrane film should be always inspected for external damage and if any part replacement should be treated as a general repair, not as a warranty claim repair for this concern. (Please note that this Pitstop only applies to models/trims that are equipped with the ultrasonic sensors.)

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equipped with the Oil Life Management System (OLMS) feature not included in table on page 2.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.