Car recalls: Why they happen and what buyers should know
Why do car recalls happen? Here’s what to know if your car has an open recall.
Kia has recalled more than 80,000 cars after discovering the vehicles’ parking lights may not work properly.
The recall applies to about 82,000 Kia K5 cars in the 2025 model year, according to a recall notice submitted by the carmaker in late May and posted this week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The vehicles’ parking lights could have a software issue that causes them to flicker, potentially reducing the driver’s visibility and increasing the risk of a crash, according to the recall notice.
The issue can be remedied either by a dealer or an “over-the-air” software update downloaded to the Kia vehicle, according to the recall notice.
Here’s what to know.
Which Kia vehicles are being recalled?
The recall applies to about 82,000 Kia K5 2025 cars, according to the recall notice.
What to do if your car has been recalled
Impacted vehicles can have the issue remedied by an “over-the-air” software update, which can be downloaded directly to your Kia vehicle. Dealers can also fix the issue, the recall notice said.
Owners will be notified via letter beginning June 24. Customers can also contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 and mention the number for this recall, SC341.
How to check if your car has been recalled
The NHTSA recall database and USA TODAY’s recall database for car and motor vehicle recalls are regularly updated with the latest status on recalls of vehicles, car parts or car accessories.
Car owners can check if their vehicles have been recalled by either searching their car’s make or model in USA TODAY’s recall database or looking it up on NHTSA’s website.
The NHTSA website also allows you to search directly using your vehicle’s license plate number or vehicle identification number. The site provides information about recalled car seats, tires and other equipment.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
