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 · Jan 3, 2022
Power Train
I bought a 2022 Kia K5 on 06/18/2021. On 12/31/2021, the check engine light came on, it shows code P088000 in the Kia Access app. Transmission control system issue. It started to jerk slightly when shifting into reverse. The engine is working twice as hard as it should when trying to pick up speed, using gas at double the normal…
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I bought a 2022 Kia K5 on 06/18/2021. On 12/31/2021, the check engine light came on, it shows code P088000 in the Kia Access app. Transmission control system issue. It started to jerk slightly when shifting into reverse. The engine is working twice as hard as it should when trying to pick up speed, using gas at double the normal rate. It will not downshift unless I actually release the gas pedal so it runs at high rpm's at all times. Driving at 55-60mph, the rpm's are at 3-3.5K and it will not downshift at all. (Unless the gas pedal is released). I have called for a service appointment, and my dealership (Joe Myers Kia/Imports) in Houston,TX. And there is a 2 week service wait. I was told there was nothing they could do, they do not have loaner cars any longer. I have to wait to get the code diagnosed.
NHTSA ODI #11446079
2,000 miles · Dec 2, 2021
Air BagsEngineStructureCrash
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, she struck two deers that jumped into the roadway. No safety object detection was activated during the failure. The vehicle went to the left and right and stalled. The driver-side door was jammed. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning li…
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The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, she struck two deers that jumped into the roadway. No safety object detection was activated during the failure. The vehicle went to the left and right and stalled. The driver-side door was jammed. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA ODI #11442425
100 miles · Nov 23, 2021
Exterior Lighting
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night with the headlights on, the low-beam headlights projected a dark triangular non-illuminated section inside the light field causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that no problem…
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The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle at night with the headlights on, the low-beam headlights projected a dark triangular non-illuminated section inside the light field causing a visibility hazard to the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who indicated that no problem was found and stated that the headlights operated as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100.
NHTSA ODI #11441503
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Exterior Lighting
A few days ago I picked up my new 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Sedan. The car has LED projector headlights. On the drivers side headlight it casts a "V" shaped void onto the opposite side of the road, presumably to prevent the bright light from hitting oncoming drivers. However, when going around a left curve this void is directly in…
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A few days ago I picked up my new 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Sedan. The car has LED projector headlights. On the drivers side headlight it casts a "V" shaped void onto the opposite side of the road, presumably to prevent the bright light from hitting oncoming drivers. However, when going around a left curve this void is directly in front of the car in my lane preventing me from seeing what is in front of me. I do not believe there is a way to adjust this since most likely you would have to remove the headlight, disassemble it, and then take the projectors out and disassemble them. Giving you access to the cutoff plate which I can only assume has a raised v to block that section. The plate would look similar to ∆. I understand the reasoning the engineers had for installing that plate within the projector bulb to prevent blinding other drivers, but at the expense of K5 owners own safety when going around left curves, especially in unfamiliar areas.
NHTSA ODI #11434740
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2021
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that with the key inserted in the ignition and turned to the ON position, the locks failed to automatically lock as designed. The failure only occurs while the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was securely locked using this method a few days ago, whether the vehicle was tuned …
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The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that with the key inserted in the ignition and turned to the ON position, the locks failed to automatically lock as designed. The failure only occurs while the vehicle was turned on. The vehicle was securely locked using this method a few days ago, whether the vehicle was tuned ON or OFF. The contact stated that the vehicle was only automatically securely locked when the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated they had a similar failure with the Kia that was traded for the current vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had also displayed an odometer reading of 7,400 miles however, the following day the mileage was 200. The dealer was contacted however, there was no reply. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TIRE ISSUES THAT OCCURED AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND HAVING THE TIRES REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL WEEL HAS DEVELOPED A LARGE OPENING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD START INDEPENDENTLY.
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