NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Kia K4 and Sorento recall: The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened

Recall published 1+ years ago

The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.

The hazard: Loss of drive power or rollaway

A stall or rollaway risk prompted this recall, and both failure modes are intermittent, which is why a vehicle that has behaved perfectly is still included.

What the notice says: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: The vehicle may stall, lose motive power while being driven, or roll away after being left in park. A stall at speed removes power steering and power braking assistance at the same moment.

Recall details

Recall number
25V548000
Published
August 25, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Kia
Product type
Engine And Engine Cooling
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Kia K4 · Kia Sorento
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V548000

Products covered by this recall

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.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • K4
  • Sorento

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Power loss

Kia — A stall or rollaway risk prompted this recall, and both failure modes are intermittent, which is why a vehicle that has behaved perfectly is still included.

  1. If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.
  2. Until it is repaired, always set the parking brake as well as selecting park, and turn the front wheels towards the kerb on a slope.
  3. Avoid high-speed roads with no hard shoulder if the notice describes a stall while driving.
  4. Keep the repair order the dealer hands you. It is your proof the campaign was closed out, and it matters at resale.

Getting the repair booked and paid for

The money side of a vehicle recall is simple. The scheduling side is where people lose weeks.

  • Ask whether the parts are physically in stock before you accept a date. A booking without parts is a wasted morning.
  • Where the manufacturer has issued an interim measure — park outside, do not drive, a software limiter — follow it until the full remedy is done.
  • Reimbursement claims for earlier out-of-pocket repairs go to the manufacturer, not the dealer, and need the original itemised invoice.
  • If you get nowhere, file at nhtsa.gov. Complaints tied to an open campaign number carry weight.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.

Company contact: Kia America, Inc.

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Kia engine and engine cooling recalled?

The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power. A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

If the vehicle has already stalled or rolled, stop using it and tell the dealer that when you book — it moves you up the queue.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will replace the sub engine assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC349.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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