2021 Kia K5 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2021 Kia K5 include 1 fatality report, 8 crashes and 2 fires across 164 filings.

164
Complaints
6
Recalls
8
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
7
Injuries
76.1
Severity index

Severity index 76.1 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 76.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 17 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 82% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 45 complaints (27.4%)45 27%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 41 complaints (25.0%)41 25%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 32 complaints (19.5%)32 20%EngineEngine: 28 complaints (17.1%)28 17%Power TrainPower Train: 17 complaints (10.4%)17 10%Fuel SystemFuel System: 13 complaints (7.9%)13 8%GasolineGasoline: 13 complaints (7.9%)13 8%Air BagsAir Bags: 10 complaints (6.1%)10 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4527.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4125.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3219.5%
ENGINE2817.1%
POWER TRAIN1710.4%
FUEL SYSTEM137.9%
GASOLINE137.9%
AIR BAGS106.1%

Complaints filed per year

022452020: 32021: 132022: 192023: 152024: 322025: 452026: 37 (partial year)2021222324254526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20203
202113
202219
202315
202432
202545
2026 (year to date)37
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 2.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (92 against 35).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V16400011/03/2021AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULEKia 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
21V51900008/07/2021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia 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.
21V44700014/06/2021LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSISTKia 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 wi
22V76000011/10/2022POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONKia 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.
23V14900007/03/2023AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINKia 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.
25V79400017/11/2025FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEKia 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.

Other Kia K5 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 5 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-29. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.