2022 Kia K5 problems, complaints & recalls

2022 Kia K5 recalls (5)

• Recall 25V794000Nov 17, 2025250,547 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 23V149000Mar 7, 2023188,912 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 22V760000Oct 11, 202269,038 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 21V519000Jul 8, 202121,575 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 21V447000Jun 14, 2021846 vehicles
  LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST · 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.

  Risk: 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.

Recent 2022 Kia K5 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 30, 2026ALEngine

   Verified by ASE Certified Mechanic Premature PCV valve/ Oil Separator failure. Causes codes such as P0507, P0171, P0471. This can trigger limp mode, sudden loss of speed/engine power, thus increasing the event of an accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11768182 · source
2. Filed Sep 30, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). While driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle and the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated with an abnormal burning odor briefly inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11768012 · source
3. Filed Sep 22, 202657,000 miTXCrash2 injuredTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The contact did not attempt to restart the vehicle. The contact activated the hazard lights; however, 20–30 minutes later, another vehicle struck the front passenger side of the vehicle near the front passenger’s side wheel. The contact sustained sharp lower back, hip, and left knee pain. The contact's…

   NHTSA complaint #11766144 · source
4. Filed Sep 19, 2026AROther / Unknown

   The vehicle is subject to Kia Safety Recall SC356 / NHTSA Recall 25V794 involving the fuel tank/check valve. The recall concerns potential fuel-tank swelling that can cause the tank to contact hot exhaust components, potentially melt and leak fuel and create a fire hazard. The component/system involved is the fuel tank and fuel tank check valve. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety concern is that a fuel tank that swells could contact hot exhaust…

   NHTSA complaint #11765515 · source
5. Filed Sep 10, 2026TXFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   - The exact component that failed has not yet been determined. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of acceleration while driving, followed by a popping noise, smoke, and a fire that severely damaged the vehicle. The vehicle is a 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle has an open Safety Recall SC356 / NHTSA Recall 25V794 involving the purge control system check valve and fuel tank, which may result in fuel leakage and an increased risk of fire. The recall repair had…

   NHTSA complaint #11763269 · source
6. Filed Sep 2, 2026FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemEngine

   All lights on dash appear. Forward collision warning, blind spot warning, other warnings. Car loses ability to accelerate for a few moments and makes unsafe to drive. RPM needle bounces.

   NHTSA complaint #11761727 · source
7. Filed Jul 30, 2026KYFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts

   On XXX, while traveling to [XXX], I experienced serious fuel system problems after filling my vehicle. The fuel gauge fluctuated from full to empty, and a loud pop caused the rear seat, where my two children were sitting, to lift upward. The vehicle would not accept more fuel despite the empty reading. I called AAA, but before the tow arrived, the gauge returned to normal, so I continued my trip. After returning to [XXX], I checked my Kia app and discovered active Recall…

   NHTSA complaint #11753652 · source
8. Filed Jul 27, 2026LAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   As I was driving down the road, I began to hear a loud, forceful noise. I assumed it was something in my trunk rolling against the rear seats. The noise kept getting louder, and I pulled over, very frightened, as several warning lights came on, including the low fuel light and check engine light, and the fuel gauge needle was past “E.” Before the incident, the GPM reading was 400. After a while, I made it home, but the car started making loud noises and then died. That’s…

   NHTSA complaint #11753188 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology