Kia · K5 · 2021
6
Recalls
140
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Kia K5 has 6 recalls and 140 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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Rollover Resistance
10.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Remedy Status
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 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 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy Status
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
I am reporting a failure in the integrity of Federal Safety Recall completion and documentation at Kia of Daphne. On 2/6/26, I was issued official paperwork stating a recall part was 'Special Ordered.' On 4/3, I attempted to call for FU in part progress. Informed “recall was done and replaced 2/6, and no part was ordered.” Advisor requested I speak to manager, I declined, request they speak to advisor. No call back until my VM left 4/6 afternoon requesting FU call. On 4/6/26 late afternoon, unprofessional call from another advisor who stated “we don’t see part ordered,” Advisor manager intercepted call, extremely unprofessional, stated he reviewed 4/4 and found nothing to support my statement, yet no FU call was placed to I, nor was any contact ever attempted by Kia. The dealership management proceeded to claim the recall was 'Complete' despite no record of the part arriving or being installed, and other advise “misspoke”. When I presented in person and requested clarification on this discrepancy in documentation/information/last signed document by I based on statement of part is order and will call when arrived to schedule; a male staff member became physically aggressive and volatile. I am concerned that the dealership is inaccurately reporting recall completions to NHTSA/Kia America without actually performing the required repairs or using the specified parts.I am also concerned for the integrity and safe environment of this dealership for customers and staff. I cannot attach the 11 minute video of the encounter, but am happy to provide via email to those who inquire given discretion for other parties.
My vehicle is currently under a recall (recall SC356), but I'm currently very far from a Kia dealership. The nearest one is about 175 miles away. I contacted Kia and they informed me that they can't reimburse me for having my car towed to the dealership. So now I am stuck with a car that could possibly catch fire at anytime, according to the recall notice. And they refuse to help me.
The steering wheel became stiff all the sudden and became hard to turn. As well as all the warning lights came on when that happened such as Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Parking Collision Warning Rear Cross Traffic Warning. I was driving in the middle of the road when this happened and this could’ve caused a huge accident due to the fact that I couldn’t steer my car properly. No, the problem has not been resolved yet. It is in the dealership at the moment to be inspected. There was no problem prior to the other signs coming on besides low tire pressure. The appeared as I was driving on the road.
Unknown
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated with DTC: P0471 displayed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the dealer replaced the check valve. After receiving the recall repair, the check engine warning light remained illuminated with DTC: P0471 displayed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed that the Exhaust Pressure Sensor was causing the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Sensor to fail and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
I brought my car in for the recall regarding the faulty check valve in the fuel tank. My check engine light had also just come on. I have a 2021 Kia K5 with 60,000 miles and the dealership tells me I have to replace all 4 fuel injectors since it's causing a "system too lean" message.
I originally got my car 2023 from Carmax I took it in to Kia dealership to get my recalls done they kept my car for over 6 days without fixing it when I arrived I was showed a photo saying it’s after market parts on this vehicle and we can’t touch it also they stated my vehicle was dangerous to drive so I asked for documentation that my vehicle was denied and they refused also I called Kia cooperate to file a complaint to get proper documentation that my vehicle was denied they told me it was denied as well and said they can’t give me paperwork to state anything
Blower motor stops working for a bit with no ac or heat
The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and stalls. The check engine light is illuminated. The stalling has occurred multiple times in the middle of freeway traffic, creating an extreme safety hazard. My child has been in the vehicle during every occurrence. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off completely while on the freeway, placing our lives at risk and nearly resulting in a serious collision. This issue is unpredictable, persistent, and prevents safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected and worked on by Southwest Kia and A-Z Auto, but the defect continues to occur. I believe this is a manufacturing or design defect related to the engine or powertrain that poses a serious safety risk and should be investigated to determine whether other vehicles are affected.
Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns and they replaced my fuel tank free of charge. A week later same issue so I went to a local mechanic and he replaced another fuel pressure sensor a month passed same issues occurred at least 3 more times on 3 different occasions. I’ve had to get my car towed off the middle of the free way or road numerous of times. This has been a financial nightmare
Recall SC263) AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY (SC356)x2 A MELTED FUEL TANK CAN LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud explosion coming from the rear of the vehicle, and there was a dragging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear seat raised up into the air with children seated in the seat. The contact became aware of fuel leaking and that the fuel tank was hanging down. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later driven to a KIA dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
My 2021 Kia K5 EX has a severe and unsafe steering problem. The vehicle consistently pulls hard to the right on its own, even on straight roads. If I loosen my grip even slightly, the car immediately veers to the right. The steering wheel does not stay centered, and I have to constantly fight the steering just to keep the car in the lane. This issue has continued despite multiple alignments, tire replacements, and inspections. Nothing has fixed the problem, and the steering behavior feels mechanical or electronic in nature. I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle because it feels like I could lose control at any time. Additionally, my vehicle is affected by the open recall (SC356 / NHTSA 25V794) involving fuel tank expansion and fire risk. The status says ‘Incompleted – remedy not available,’ meaning there is currently no repair solution. The combination of a steering defect and a fire-risk recall makes this vehicle unsafe to operate. I am reporting this because the steering issue appears to be a serious safety defect that needs investigation.
The fuel tank malfunctioned while driving. It appeared on my odometer that I had zero gas, once I pulled into a gas station to fill up, I could see the gas pouring out of the tank while the pump was unable to pump any gas due to the pressure coming out of the tank. Bev Smith Kia of Fort Pierce has the vehicle if you would like to inspect it. I also have photos of the melted tank from the dealership. NHTSA Recall Number: 25V-794 The fuel tank expansion/melting risk, fuel leak, or fire risk, put the driver, passenger, and nearby citizens at risk if the car caught fire. Also, the seats have been known to eject with this particular recall. Yes the vehicle was inspected by Bev Smith Kia per my insistence, and instead of fixing it and returning the vehicle, Kia Corporate forced the hand of Bev Smith Kia to confiscate the vehicle due to it being a deadly recall. SC288 Alpha Campaign Failed is what the dealership told me to tell corporate. There were no warning lights when the odometer appeared to have zero miles, it simply went to zero and the backseat became very hot to the passenger. There was no ability to fill the gas tank as the pressure of gas was pouring gas out from the fuel tank and the pump would not add additional gas. This appeared in May of 2025. We took it to the dealership and they said there was nothing wrong with the car. The next time is happened was Sunday [XXX]. The car was taken to Bev Smith Kia dealership that Monday November 24th where it was confiscated by the dealership for the deadly recall that they claimed could never be fixed and Kia would do a buy back. There were no other issues with the vehicle prior to the incident in May of 2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Took car to Kia for an oil change and car started driving weird . Rpm hand running high. Check engine light came on , took car to Kia and fuel tank was expanded . Car is still not fixed , and Kia won’t continue to pay for rental.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 65-70 MPH, the fuel gauge displayed zero miles to empty. The contact pulled into the nearest gas station, and while attempting to add fuel to the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was fuel leaking out of the fuel tank outlet, and the gas pump nozzle was stopped. The contact was unable to refuel the vehicle. The contact stated that after returning to drive, the fuel gauge indicated 100 miles to empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the dealer advised the contact that the manufacturer had instructed the contact not release the vehicle to the owner due to the recall. While diagnosing the vehicle, a technician at the dealer sent a photo displaying that the rear driver's side seat had melted internally due to the fuel tank overheating. Additionally, the dealer informed the contact that the SC288 Alpha Campaign had failed. The vehicle remained at the dealer for four months; however, the manufacturer later sent a letter advising the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired, and a buyback was suggested. The manufacturer offered to reimburse the down payment for the vehicle. The contact stated that the buy-back offer was unsatisfactory. The contact declined the offer, and the manufacturer then threatened to tow the unrepaired vehicle back to the residence. The contact stated that the manufacturer had failed to honor the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 15-20 MPH, the engine revved and the gears in the transmission unexpectedly failed. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. Due to the safety concerns, the vehicle was no longer driven and remained parked at the residence. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving, the check engine light came on. Soon after, the rear floor of my 2021 Kia K5 lifted upward, and I noticed the fuel tank underneath had swollen. When I opened the gas cap, it blew off with force and gasoline sprayed on me, soaking my clothes. This could have caused a fire or explosion. The car is now unsafe to drive, and the rear seat cannot be used because the floor is deformed. I discovered that Kia has a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC288 addressing this exact issue (fuel tank swelling and excessive pressure due to a faulty PCSV valve and EVAP system), but this is clearly a safety hazard, not just an emissions problem. Many other owners have reported the same issue online. I believe this defect should be escalated to a safety recall before someone gets seriously injured or worse.
no power at all all most in a accident with it when it lost power they said it’s the turbo l paid 33,000 for this car it had 35000 miles on it has 103000 on it when it lost power
Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operation and ongoing system malfunction. The issue has been observed by the dealer, but they declined to perform proper diagnostics or repair. The defects are persistent and pose ongoing safety concerns.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2021 Kia K5 has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 140 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Kia K5.
The 2021 Kia K5 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Kia K5 are electrical system (17 reports), fuel/propulsion system (15 reports), unknown or other (15 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2021 Kia K5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.