2016 Kia K900 Safety Report
2016 KIA K900 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Kia K900
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Kia K900. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (10) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Kia K900 with 2 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Kia K900 before buying across this generation. |
Kia K900 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia K900 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia K900 | 2 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Kia K900 | 50 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia K900 | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Kia K900 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Kia K900, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Kia onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyExterior Lighting
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Kia K900
Reliability Score
The 2016 Kia K900 receives a reliability score of 82 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Kia K900
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Kia K900:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Recalled for hydraulic service brakes with anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip control units. Issues may affect braking performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Recalled for headlights, potentially leading to poor visibility and increased risk of accidents. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbags Recalled for potential issues that could affect airbag deployment, posing a risk to passengers. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Issues with the electrical system, including service brakes, headlights, and electronic stability control, have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Kia K900:
Issues with service brakes, including anti-lock, traction control, and electronic limited slip control units.
Problems with headlights, potentially leading to poor visibility.
Potential issues with airbag deployment, posing a risk to passengers.
Issues with the electrical system, including service brakes, headlights, and electronic stability control.
Recall Details for the 2016 Kia K900
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Kia K900 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number...
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 K900 and 2014-2016 Sportage vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a new fuse for the HECU circuit board, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC227.
Summary: 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 multi-function light switch in "AUTO" mode, electrical resistance may build in the switch and result in the headlights flickering or turning off when driving.
Consequence: Loss of headlight illumination may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC130.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Kia K900
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Kia K900 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
There is a safety recall on my K900 Kia. That it could catch fire while driving or parked. I called the parts department of Kia and they said they do not have any remedy at this point. The recall notice states that if the repair is not going to be done in a timely manner that I have the right to put in the complaint with nhtsa which I am doing. My family and I are at risk while driving this car ye...
My leather dash is rippling/tearing, I am afraid it is a risk of interrupting the passenger airbag deployment. I first noticed my leather dash rippling around the HUD area in April of 2022. In September of 22, it began rippling where the leather cover meets the hood. This April of 2023, it has begun rippling on the passenger airbag area. I have an appointment on 5/31/23 with Kalidy Kia to have...
I want to make a formal complaint against High Desert Kia in Victorville California that they haven't taken the necessary steps to get this recall that's against my Kia K900 remedied quickly and this recall can cause a fire. A recall was sent to me in February 2022 and this recall still has not been complete so please I need your assistance to get this taken care of ASAP.
While driving with the lights in auto mode, the light flicker and sometime go off. I took the car to the dealer to have it repaired. I was charged over $700 for the repair. I have since found out that this is an issue as noted in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia K900. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the headlights ceased to operate as needed. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V210000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not includ...
My dashboard is bubbling up on my passenger and drivers side.
I drove to an appointment when I got ready to leave the car was fine then the epb light came on I put it into drive because I know that will release it, per the car manual instructions. It did not release the brakes and the car would not move. Had to call a tow truck the car was stuck in place. Per manual it states the epb will come on by itself at any time, I’m lucky it didn’t come on and not tur...
2016 KIA K-900. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT ENGAGE/ACTIVATE - AIRBAG LIGHT OFF WITH OCCUPANT SEATED. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE AIRBAG COULD NOT BE FIXED AND WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF HEAVY CLOTHING WAS BEING WORN. THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO A HANDICAP THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN WITHOUT THE USE OF A 1.5 INCH SEAT CUSHION, NEEDED FOR MEDI...
THE TIRES BREAK LOOSE IN WET WEATHER. THE HANKOOK OPTIMO H426 TIRES, STANDARD ON THIS CAR ARE RATED #41 OF 42 AVAILABLE TIRES FOR THIS CAR (SEE TIRERACK.COM TESTS). KIA HAS PUT THE WORST TIRES AVAILABLE ON THEIR TOP LINE CAR! THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO GRIP IN WET WEATHER. THEY MAY WORK WITH THE 6 CYL ENGINE BUT ARE WORTHLESS WITH THE V8 ENGINE. I HAVE HAD THEM BREAK LOOSE ONCE IN STRAIGHT LINE ACCE...
THETRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (V8 ENGINE) IN COMBINATION WITH VERY POOR TRACTION TIRES (HANKOOK OPTIMO H426) MAY GET YOU KILLED. WHILE MAKING RIGHT TURNS ONTO WET HIGHWAY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BREAKS LOOSE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TRIES TO STOP THE WHEEL SPIN BY APPLYING THE LEFT REAR BRAKE WHICH BREAKS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL LOOSE AND THEN IT'S BRAKE GETS APPLIED. AFTER A FEW OF THESE BACK AND FORTHS TH...
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Kia K900
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
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....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Kia K900
Has the 2016 KIA K900 been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 KIA K900 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 KIA K900 have?
The 2016 KIA K900 has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 KIA K900?
The 2016 KIA K900 does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA K900?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 KIA K900 involve air bags (2 complaints), electrical system,engine (1 complaints), engine (1 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,exterior lighting, exterior lighting, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2016 KIA K900 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 KIA K900 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 KIA K900 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 KIA K900 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 KIA K900?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA K900.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 KIA K900?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA K900.
Should I buy a 2016 KIA K900?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 KIA K900 is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 10 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 KIA K900?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 KIA K900 are: 1. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (1 complaints), 3. ENGINE (1 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 KIA K900?
Ensure all recalls are addressed and have your vehicle checked for any reported issues, especially with service brakes and exterior lighting. The 2016 KIA K900 has 10 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 KIA K900?
The 2016 KIA K900 receives a reliability score of 82/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 10 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes and Exterior Lighting.
What are the known issues with the 2016 KIA K900?
Known issues with the 2016 KIA K900 include: Service Brakes, Exterior Lighting, Airbags, Electrical System. These are based on patterns found across 10 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 KIA K900?
Yes, there are recalls for service brakes, exterior lighting, and airbags. Check with Kia for details.
What should I do if I notice dashboard bubbling or headlights malfunctioning?
Have the vehicle inspected and address the issues promptly to ensure safety.
Can I trust the tires on my 2016 KIA K900?
The tires may not provide optimal traction, especially in wet weather. Consider upgrading to a higher-rated tire.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure all recalls are addressed and have your vehicle checked for any reported issues, especially with service brakes and exterior lighting.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Kia K900
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Kia K900. The data includes 10 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16