Kia K5 problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 500 owner complaints and 9 recalls on file for the Kia K5 (2021–2026). The 2022 K5 has the most serious complaints, most often about fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion.

Complaints
500
Recalls
9
Model years
6
Worst year
2022

Complaints by model year

167202112920221082023302024522025142026
NHTSA complaints per Kia K5 model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Kia K5 years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2022 Kia K5 — 129 complaints, 15 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
  2. 2021 Kia K5 — 167 complaints, 8 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
  3. 2023 Kia K5 — 108 complaints, 6 crashes; top problem: Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
  4. 2025 Kia K5 — 52 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Wheels & Tires
  5. 2024 Kia K5 — 30 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (108 complaints).

Every Kia K5 model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 K5141021Engine
2025 K5524062Wheels & Tires
2024 K5301012Engine
2023 K510860174Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2022 K5129154205Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
2021 K51678276Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

Most common Kia K5 problem areas (all years)

  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    158 complaints
  • Electrical System
    97 complaints
  • Engine
    90 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    59 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    47 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    46 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    29 complaints
  • Brakes
    27 complaints
  • Airbags
    27 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    24 complaints

Complaint trend

202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Kia K5 received by NHTSA each month.

Kia K5 recalls

  • Recall 26V046000Jan 26, 202642,677 vehiclesModel years 2026

    Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V794000Nov 17, 2025250,547 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 25V493000Jul 28, 2025100,063 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V351000May 27, 202582,281 vehiclesModel years 2025

    Risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V149000Mar 7, 2023188,912 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 22V760000Oct 11, 202269,038 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V519000Jul 8, 202121,575 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 21V447000Jun 14, 2021846 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V164000Mar 11, 2021142 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

Other Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology