Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Kia K5. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Kia K5,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2021–2025 with 19 recall campaigns and 496 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2021 (6), 2022 (5), and 2023 (4).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2021 (180), 2022 (165), and 2023 (97).
Top recall themes: Airbags, Fuel and emissions, and Powertrain.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Engine.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
2 campaigns · Years: 2021–2023
These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Kia K5 in NHTSA complaint data are
Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Engine.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2025
2
32
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Power train, Air bags.
2024
2
22
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Structure:body, Power train.
2023
4
97
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Engine, Power train.
2022
5
165
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Electrical system, Engine.
2021
6
180
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Engine.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Fuel system
, Air bags
and Structure
Show recall evidence by year
2025
Exterior lighting: Software:
Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective D
Structure: Roof and pillars:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2023
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Curtain:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Structure: Roof and pillars:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2022
Lane departure: Steering assist:
Safety recall involving the lane departure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 A
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Curtain:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2021
Air bags: Front passenger:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements o
Lane departure: Steering assist:
Safety recall involving the lane departure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 A
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Power train: Automatic transmission:
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Curtain:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Other Kia Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Kia models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
