This Kia Sedan Tends to Lose Parts on the Highway | Carscoops

      Over 100,000 K5 sedans are being recalled due to trim pieces that may detach while in motion.

      Kia initially considered the issue to be minor but later discovered over 4,000 related incidents.

      The NHTSA launched an investigation after reports indicated that trim pieces were falling off vehicles.

      Dealers will examine and install upgraded parts that offer better retention.

      While Ford remains the leader in recall statistics by a significant margin, they are not the only company facing challenges in the automotive sector. Kia has recently issued a recall related to a surprisingly straightforward problem: some K5 sedans are literally losing parts.

      The recall affects a total of 100,063 sedans from the 2023 to 2025 model years, as government reports indicate that certain trim pieces may become loose and detach. This poses a risk on the road for other drivers, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents.

      Thousands of Missing Trim Pieces Trigger Investigation

      Kia became aware of the issue in 2023 and took action to address potential delamination of the C-pillar garnish face plate. By 2025, the National Highway Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted Kia after receiving four reports regarding trim detachment.

      Kia initially investigated the issue and felt it was not significant, reasoning that the face plate would simply fall to the ground and lie flat. Therefore, they believed the “issue does not present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety due to the weight, size, and behavior of the face plate if it drops.”

      Regulators Push Back, Leading to Further Examination

      However, the government disagreed and referenced other recalls involving similar trim detachment issues. Kia then chose to reevaluate the situation and found a surprising 4,082 reports of missing C-pillar garnish face plates, leading them to proceed with a recall.

      The safety recall report identified that the problem stemmed from an inadequate application of an adhesive layer, which means the face plate could progressively separate and become loose before eventually falling off. Since this process is gradual, vehicle owners might notice a loose trim piece or detect a rattling sound while driving.

      To remedy the issue, dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the C-pillar trim assemblies. The new parts feature advanced designs, incorporating an adhesive layer along with some form of mechanical retention.

      Notifications for vehicle owners are set to be sent out in September. In the meantime, it may be wise to check those C-pillars to see if anything is missing.