Kia vehicles: safety, fuel economy, and recalls
Every Kia model indexed from NHTSA and EPA. Use the table below to compare models or jump to a specific model for year-by-year detail.
Safety ratings by model
Best NHTSA five-star overall rating across indexed trims. Models without NCAP data are omitted.
Models
| Model | Best safety | Best MPG | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadenza | not tested | 23 mpg | View profile |
| Carnival | 22 mpg | View profile | |
| EV6 | n/a | View profile | |
| EV9 | n/a | View profile | |
| Forte | 34 mpg | View profile | |
| Forte Koup | not tested | 28 mpg | View profile |
| K4 | 34 mpg | View profile | |
| K5 | 32 mpg | View profile | |
| K900 | not tested | 21 mpg | View profile |
| Niro | 49 mpg | View profile | |
| Optima | 31 mpg | View profile | |
| Rio | 36 mpg | View profile | |
| Rondo | not tested | n/a | View profile |
| Sedona | 21 mpg | View profile | |
| Seltos | n/a | View profile | |
| Sorento | n/a | View profile | |
| Soul | 30 mpg | View profile | |
| Sportage | n/a | View profile | |
| Stinger | n/a | View profile | |
| Telluride | n/a | View profile |
Recent Kia recalls
Latest 10 NHTSA campaigns. Severity is inferred from campaign text.
- 26V232000 - 2026-04-10safetyFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.
- 26V135000 - 2026-03-06safetySEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
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.
- 26V105000 - 2026-02-23safetySEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride vehicles, equipped with power front seat(s). Due to a manufacturing error, the driver and passenger seat back frame assemblies may fail to properly restrain occupants in a crash.
- 26V046000 - 2026-01-27safetyELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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 vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
- 25V874000 - 2025-12-17safetyTRAILER HITCHES
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Controls and Displays."
- 25V794000 - 2025-11-17safetyFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
- 25V745000 - 2025-10-31safetyTIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Telluride and 2026 Sorento vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with an incorrect spare tire which, when installed, can impair the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the traction control system (TCS). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- 25V649000 - 2025-09-25safetyELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.
- 25V548000 - 2025-08-25safetyENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
- 25V493000 - 2025-07-28safetySTRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Verify recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.