Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 20 of 125 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports
What owners actually said
125 reports
Mileage unknown · May 3, 2023
Service BrakesWheels
I have had to replace the front rotors twice now. Once at 20k and again at 30k. The tires had plenty of tread life but started to separate in the center of the tire at 20k miles. No inspection by a dealer. Called Kia as well as Kia customer care and was advised nothing was covered under the warranty. No lights came on but the s…
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I have had to replace the front rotors twice now. Once at 20k and again at 30k. The tires had plenty of tread life but started to separate in the center of the tire at 20k miles. No inspection by a dealer. Called Kia as well as Kia customer care and was advised nothing was covered under the warranty. No lights came on but the shaking for the brakes as well as a tire vibration was made apparent
NHTSA ODI #11520310
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2023
Seat Belts
The female buckle component located on the seat directly behind the driver has failed. This has put anyone sitting in the car at a much higher risk of serious injury in the event of a car accident. This problem has been confirmed by the dealer and as of now, no solution is available.
NHTSA ODI #11519548
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2023
Power Train
While you're driving you hear weird squealing sounds and when you slow down the transmission tends to rattle. 2: After you start the car, there is a very loud sound like track and the car tends to move back and forth.
NHTSA ODI #11514495
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury
I had a single vehicle collision and ran into a ditch, none of my airbags deployed and I had a sternal fracture from hitting my chest so hard on the steering wheel. My vehicle was totaled as well.
NHTSA ODI #11512391
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainFire
On December 28th 2022 between the 6:30 am to 8:00 my car was parked and caught on fire. I have filed a complaint with Kia and since then I have gotten the run around about them looking into the vehicle and seeing what cause the issue. My car was still under the manufacture warranty
NHTSA ODI #11508467
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2023
Power Train
The transmission is experiencing a loss of power and getting heavy/stuck at about 20-30 mph before It begins to accelerate somewhat faster. The car is also not accelerating properly. Engine light came on as this began. Oil changes on vehicle are up to date as well
NHTSA ODI #11503056
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or OtherCrashInjury
I was traveling normally, exiting a highway ramp when my car acceleration system malfunctioned. It seemed as if it was a power train issue or engine issue. I was not able to accelerate or slow down properly due to this malfunction and it caused me to crash. My car was totaled.
NHTSA ODI #11502223
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine
On 11/29/2022 my car wouldn't start, just click and continued to try and start then the check ESC warning came on. I had to get it jump started from KIA Roadside assistance and drove vehicle to local KIA Dealership where they tested the battery and said it was a bad battery. They replaced the battery. My car was purchased Dec 23…
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On 11/29/2022 my car wouldn't start, just click and continued to try and start then the check ESC warning came on. I had to get it jump started from KIA Roadside assistance and drove vehicle to local KIA Dealership where they tested the battery and said it was a bad battery. They replaced the battery. My car was purchased Dec 23rd 2021, battery was not even a year old . Fast forward 27 days, on Dec 26th, 2022, I was originally scheduled for the 8000 mile maintenance with Jake Sweeney KIA at 10am, went to start vehicle and wouldn't start again. It done the same as before on 11/29. Just click several times and then the check ESC warning came one(I have video of the entire process). after the Check ESC went off the entire cars electrical system went out and I couldn't even get jumper cables out of trunk of car. I contacted roadside assistance again, but they said it would be 3 to 4 hours before they could come, so I bought cables from store. Once started drove it to Jake Sweeney KIA they change oil and rotated tire and did diagnostic check and everything came back fine, but here is my issue I knew it would because once you jump the car there are no codes or issue after that. Left the dealership and will wait to see if it does it for a third time. I feel they should replce vehicle because this is a safety issue if happens outside the home not mention incovenice with everyday life (work etc).
NHTSA ODI #11498955
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2022
Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrashInjury
While driving at 40 mph a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled out into my lane causing me to struck the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The airbags deployed in the truck that failed to stop but the airbags in my car failed to deploy resulting in several injuries to my head, neck, back, shoulders, abdomen and fr…
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While driving at 40 mph a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled out into my lane causing me to struck the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The airbags deployed in the truck that failed to stop but the airbags in my car failed to deploy resulting in several injuries to my head, neck, back, shoulders, abdomen and fractured spine. Police and EMT were called and arrived on scene. I was then transported to the ER via personal vehicle. I have since followed up with my primary care physician along with more tests, lab work and more imaging.
NHTSA ODI #11498765
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2022
EnginePower TrainSteering
Randomly, the cars engine rev is really low, it’ll go up down up down over and over and over and then shut off, sometimes while in motion. Other times, when you’re finished driving and you shift into park the engine will shut off the moment you hit park. My safety is at risk due to the fact that when I was in motion and it did t…
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Randomly, the cars engine rev is really low, it’ll go up down up down over and over and over and then shut off, sometimes while in motion. Other times, when you’re finished driving and you shift into park the engine will shut off the moment you hit park. My safety is at risk due to the fact that when I was in motion and it did that it could’ve caused an accident. The dealer claims they are unable to re-create the issue, even though I am video recording proof. Many warning messages appear on my dashboard when this happens, but they all go away. Once you turn the car fully off and back on.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC356. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 1, 2025.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC263.
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Consequence: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
Steering
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Consequence: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2022 Kia K5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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