Below are recalls and complaints reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Kia K5. This information is consumer-reported and provided for general informational purposes only. Vehicles like this may qualify under California lemon law depending on their individual repair history.
The following recalls were reported to NHTSA. A recall does not by itself establish that any individual vehicle is defective.
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.
Reported consequence: 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.
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.
Reported consequence: 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.
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.
Reported consequence: 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.
The following are consumer-reported complaints filed with NHTSA. These are unverified allegations and are not proof that any defect exists.
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 dealers | 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 o | 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 ca
While on her way from work, my mother was involved in an accident in her 2021 Kia K5 LXS where she was rear ended at a high speed by a driver not paying attention to the road and she ended up hitting the car in front of her. During the accident NONE | The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V149000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of t | I was rearended into another vehicle at a speed of about 50mph, then rearended again by and SUV, not one of my 9 airbags deployed.
Allegedly reported: 4 injuries, 1 death (as reported to NHTSA).
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 | 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 int | The contact owns a 2015 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that days before the vehicle was scheduled for an unknown recall repair, while refueling, the contact ob
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. | 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 witho | Just minutes before entering the highway, my son and I heard a very loud popping sound that startled us, like something large hit the car or a tire exploded. I immediately pulled into a gas station checked the exterior & all 4 tires, but everything a
Recall SC263) AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY (SC356)x2 A MELTED FUEL TANK CAN LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE | I have a Kia K5 and was not informed of the SC288 Service campaign Fuel tank Inspection & EMC update (VESC) expansion of fuel tank and explosions' of fuel tanks. My vehicle was not apart of the recall for the fuel tank expanding program. I took my v
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 Dep | 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 st
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 cl | My car just stopped working, it was towed to a local Lokey Nissan in Clearwater FL where it was purchased. Since it was a defect Lokey Nissan sent it to Lokey KIA in Clearwater FL. Lokey KIA stated the gas can had expanded and also caused damage to
I was driving down the highway and my car made a loud bang noise. It would not accelerate over 50 mph no matter how hard I pressed the accelerator. Took to dealership and they told me I needed a new battery and charged me $365. Drove it and still won | When I was driving I heard big boom sounds in my backseat which ended up being my fuel tank which expanded and raised the back seat. It slowly got worse impacting my car’s fuel sensor and the tank expanded more and more I drove.
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 | On [XXX] I took my automobile, a 2021 Kia K5 to Planet KIA of Charlotte NC located at 4700 E independence Blvd. I took it there to check what caused my engine light to activate. The initial diagnosis was a bad Sensor-Differential Pressure. Planet KIA
Car will lose power when accelerating and slow down to an almost complete stop in traffic with no pick up it will jerk as it is trying to accelerate it has happen two times in six months | Does not always shift like it is supposed to
The steel trim running underneath the rear window is beginning to lift up There is a recall for this for vehicles produced sometime in 2023 but it doesn’t include my vehicle | While driving home from work, traveling on a state route at 55 mph, the cover under the engine just snapped off on the passenger side of the vehicle. It just started making a loud noise like I had blown a tire! I pulled over and noticed it was hangin | The Wheels Guards fell off mid drive, another part that fell off was the underbody cover that is made out of cardboard. I know many Kia K5 owners who have had this problem. It fell off due to rain. Since it is made out of a cardboard like material, t
At the beginning at the year I had to change my starter because my car would leave me stranded on the street, at a stop light or any time my car would stop. I was once in the car with my little brother and in the middle of the street it would not sta | Having issues with the blower motor and harness which is a known issue with this car. I can’t keep my AC working plus my defroster doesn’t work either with the issue I am having with the blower motor. The issue is ongoing | Air conditioning was fine then would suddenly cycle levels by itself. One day the air stopped blower. Tested the resister, it was bad. Replaced it and less than one week later the air stopped again. Resister and blower motor test fine. Fuses and rela
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 | On Mon, Nov 18, 2025, I was driving at 60 mph with cruise on. Suddenly cruise was cancelled and check engine and low oil pressure lights came on. I pulled off road at earliest point possible. Seemed to be running ok. Drove slowly to a convenience | When you get in the vehicle to turn it on the lights are on an everything else accept for the engine. The dashboard says the the vehicle is on, however it is not. Diagnostics shows no problems. This is on going in the New K5 community.
Please review Kia Costumer Care case number [XXX] date 2/20/2025 @ 4pm New York time. Brake pads worn out ,easily broken and rusty. ??? Kia Company material defect or car dealership scam. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO | I purchased the vehicle on 01/08/2024, less than 14 days later, the brake booster needs repair; it’s currently making a hissing now as the air is leaking out and as a result, my brakes are not working properly. | My vehicle is a 2021 Kia K5 GT (2.5L-T), mechanically identical to Hyundai Sonata N-Line (2.5L-T). My car has 24000 miles on it and I have replaced the rotors on my car five times now due to premature warping. KIA OEM rotors, R1 Concepts, Brakenetic
My current 2021 Kia K5 FUEL TANK EXPLODED while driving. I’ve had this car for about 5 years and since driving it off the lot have experience issues with the vehicle and just a few hours ago, the fuel gas tank explode raising the back seat with passe | One day I was driving my car when suddenly I heard a loud explosion sound from the back. I continued to drive the car until I could pull over to inspect the car. In the midst of pulling the car over I began smelling a strong odor of gas in the cabin
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 d | The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, while the transmission was shifting gear, the vehicle started sputtering and jerking. The contact stated that the failure occurred while shifting from 1st gear | very bad antifreeze smell under hood dealer said normal not healthy to smell that its in all of this model car in multiple years needs a recall to force kia to fix this unhealthy problem. 3/1/25 is when i bought this car. thankyou
Main wiring harness melted in my fuse box, had to pay $5000 to replace, turbo leaked into my engine and cause for the engine to blow! Hadn’t even had the car a year !! This is getting ridiculous. | VEHICLE WAS STOPPED A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY CUT OFF. SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LESS THAN 1 MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN
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 prog | I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and unresolved safety issues with my Kia K5, which I believe are directly related to a known recall involving the ECM (engine control module) and/or fuel system. My vehicle continues to jerk and misfi | Hit pot holes lower control arm was replaced
Allegedly reported: 1 injury (as reported to NHTSA).
Blower motor stops working for a bit with no ac or heat | Kia has a known issue with the HVAC blower motor circuit on this vehicle model. They have issued a warranty extension related to relocating the blower motor fuse to another circuit in the fuse box, due to potential burning of fuse(s). After executi | AC blower stoped working
had the windshield replaced on March 14, 2022. i drove the car for approximatly for two weeks with no issues. i left my car parked while on vacation and took a cab to the airport. after i returned home from vacation and drove my car for the first | The windshield cracked and spread very quickly without any known reason. I made an appointment with the dealership and was told that they do not handle that situation and was dismissed without a proper check. Will be checked by an auto glass company | My 2021 KIA K5 developed a chip after a small pebble hit the windshield. By the time I got home(an hour and a half later) the chip caused a crack across three quarters of the windshield. The dealer and KIA Corporate will not admit the problem even th
If your 2021 Kia K5 has had repeated repairs for the same problem, you may have rights under California lemon law. Tell us about it and we will review your situation at no cost and no obligation.
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The recalls and complaints shown here are reported to NHTSA and are consumer-reported, unverified allegations. They do not establish that any defect exists in any individual vehicle, and nothing on this page should be read as asserting that the 2021 Kia K5 is defective. Counts reflect items filed with NHTSA and may not be current. “May qualify” statements are general and do not mean any particular vehicle or owner qualifies.
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