2022 Kia K5 Powertrain & Transmission Problems

My 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line has had a recurring check engine light fault (P0471 — exhaust pressure sensor circuit) since approximately 9,874 miles in September 2022. The vehicle has been brought to the servicing Kia dealer a minimum of five times for this same fault across nearly 65,000 miles. It has never been permanently resolved. Most critically: dealer repair records from May 2025 (56,501 miles) confirm a technician identified fault code P047100, noted it as a history code, cleared it, test drove the vehicle, and returned it without performing any repair and without informing me. Ten months later, the same dealer presented this identical fault as a $1,121.07 customer-pay repair on a vehicle under active 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The repair was only approved after I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs directly — the dealer had not contacted them despite claiming otherwise. The February 2026 repair failed within 15 minutes of pickup. I made five documented phone calls to the dealer over 33 days reporting the failure. No action was taken. The April 2026 repair — sensor and hose replacement — failed within one hour of pickup on April 1, 2026. Of additional concern: Recall SC288/SC288A (Fuel Tank Inspection and ECM Re-Update) was performed on this vehicle twice — July 2024 and August 2025. The ECM governs the exhaust pressure sensor circuit. The P0471 fault first appeared in dealer records between these two recall dates and has persisted through both completions. CARFAX confirms the April 2026 repair involved the engine/powertrain computer module. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether SC288/SC288A is connected to recurring P0471 faults in 2022 Kia K5 vehicles. Kia Consumer Affairs Case escalated April 2, 2026.

STATEMENT OF FACTS: I presented my Kia K5 for two safety recalls (SC356 and SC263) with an active Check Engine Light for code P047100 (Exhaust Pressure Sensor). I informed the service advisor, Aliyah, that this code is a symptomatic secondary fault of the pressure irregularities addressed in Recall SC356, which explicitly lists an "Illuminated Check Engine Light" (MIL) as a primary warning sign. The dealership dismissed my technical assessment—which was backed by advanced AI data analysis. After the software update was performed, the advisor claimed the code remained "active," thereby "proving" it was unrelated to the recall. Based on this, I was charged a $248 diagnostic fee and told I needed a $534.02 out-of-pocket hardware repair for a "physically failing" differential pressure sensor that was allegedly reading 2 HPA against a spec of 23.09 HPA. EVIDENCE OF ERROR: Upon taking delivery of the vehicle, the Check Engine Light was completely extinguished. If the light were truly "still active" after the update, as I was told to justify the fee, the fault would have been present at pickup. Since then, I have driven over 120 miles (including multiple cold-start drive cycles between [XXX] and my place of work) with a 100% clear dashboard. My XXX App confirms the XXX fault is resolved, while the recalls remain "Open" administratively. REGULATORY VIOLATION: Under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, a manufacturer must remedy a safety defect without charge. A software "Logic Update" cannot physically repair a broken pressure sensor. The fact that the fault disappeared immediately following the update proves the sensor was functional and the fault was caused by the recall defect. By misdiagnosing a recall symptom as a non-covered hardware failure, the dealer effectively charged me for a federal safety repair. I request an investigation into these "diagnostic gatekeeping" practices and a full refund of the $248.00 fee. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving the car started to have the sensors for the adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency breaking, blind spot warning, forward collision warning, and rear cross traffic warning all came on. The rpm starting going crazy the car was shaking and struggling to start, the car was shifting weird causing the acceleration to be poor. This all happened while driving if we were on a busy road we would’ve gotten hit the car randomly started breaking and slowing down, this is dangerously and could cause serious injury and damages to the vehicle and others around it. This is a problem a lot of people have been complaining about and need to be fixed it’s not okay or safe to be driving a car with these issues especially when there is no warning it just breaks and shuts down no matter where you are or how fast you may be going.

A silver piller price of trim flew off on the highway in the rear. A lot of Kia k5 owners have experienced this and it could fly off and hit someone on the highway. Transmission is super jerky and can sometimes lose power I’ve also known a lot of people that have similar issues with the kind of transmission in the k5 GT 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at the red traffic light, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that upon shifting to park(P) and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission-related issues, including erratic shifting, delayed response, slippage, and sudden loss of power while driving. These symptoms significantly impact drivability and pose a safety risk, especially when accelerating or merging in traffic. The issue was previously addressed by the dealership under a recall repair. However, the same transmission behavior has returned approximately 3–4 months after the repair. The dealership performed repairs multiple times before, and the symptoms have now recurred. The problem has been confirmed by the authorized dealership and is scheduled for another inspection. There have been warning symptoms such as hesitation during gear shifts and intermittent power dips while in motion, which began reappearing recently. The component remains available for inspection. Given the repeat nature of the issue following an official recall, I believe this may be part of a broader unresolved defect in the vehicle’s transmission system. The issue initially reappeared briefly after the recall repair, then subsided. However, it returned more consistently and noticeably after a couple of months, and is now ongoing.

TRYING TO PASS A TRUCK THAT WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY, I ACCELLERATED AND LOST POWER. I TRIED AGAIN AND SAME THING. THIS IS INDEED A TRAFIC HAZARD. I NOTICED THAT THE RPM RAISED, BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER.

The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

While driving my 2022 Kia K5 LXS, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost acceleration. The check-engine light came on, showing code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). The issue caused unsafe driving conditions, especially with my child in the car. Kia Roseville incorrectly documented the repair, while Kia Folsom later confirmed the issue was engine-related. The vehicle has also been subject to fuel tank expansion concerns under recalls SC288 and SC288A, which can create additional fire risk and pressure issues. Despite repairs, I still experience safety fears and severe loss of vehicle value due to these recurring defects and poor documentation. Kia America has not provided a resolution.

The Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS) failed/ malfunctioned. Available for inspection. My car completely lost power on the interstate and it was 70 mph speed limit, I had a semi behind me. I’m taking to the dealer when I’m off in 3 to 4 weeks. Problem has been reported by other owners, as well as Hyundai Sonata N-Lines. Also video evidence. Not been inspected yet, but that’s the problem. No warning lights. Could see the temp gauge moving up when I accelerated. Problem happened when it was cold outside, popped the hood and engine wasn’t overheated at all, ITMS failed.

Within 2 months of buying the car, it has stalled in traffic twice with engine revving. During the first time, it was unnoticeable until my car did not react when pushing the gas pedal. The car stayed at a stop until I restarted it twice. Kia dealership was informed, however, they could not find an issue or code. Recently, the second time was different and more scary. It stalled once again and as soon as I noticed, my car would not accelerate and started rolling and revving with high rpms. I immediately put my hazards on in the middle of a 5 lane road in heavy traffic and was able to let the car roll into a parking lot. I left the car there, turned off, for 30 minutes before restarting it to have someone follow me back home. During this scary trip, the car shook violently and my foot was to the floor on the gas pedal and the car still would not accelerate unless on a slope. A five minute drive turned into a 25 minute trip while backing up traffic. (So, very high rpm’s, slow to almost no acceleration, shaking and revving, NO engine light or warning lights triggered). Engine continued loud revving and moving idle in park that evening. Since then, car has been in mechanic once again with no solutions, codes, or lights to help the dealership figure out the issue because they say “it’s driving perfectly now”. They are the only ones to inspect the vehicle each time.

While you're driving you hear weird squealing sounds and when you slow down the transmission tends to rattle. 2: After you start the car, there is a very loud sound like track and the car tends to move back and forth.

The transmission is experiencing a loss of power and getting heavy/stuck at about 20-30 mph before It begins to accelerate somewhat faster. The car is also not accelerating properly. Engine light came on as this began. Oil changes on vehicle are up to date as well

On December 28th 2022 between the 6:30 am to 8:00 my car was parked and caught on fire. I have filed a complaint with Kia and since then I have gotten the run around about them looking into the vehicle and seeing what cause the issue. My car was still under the manufacture warranty

I was traveling normally, exiting a highway ramp when my car acceleration system malfunctioned. It seemed as if it was a power train issue or engine issue. I was not able to accelerate or slow down properly due to this malfunction and it caused me to crash. My car was totaled.

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.