2023 Kia K5: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 4 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
99
Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
17
Injuries
161.6
Severity index
Severity index 161.6 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 80 2023 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2023 Kia K5 ranks 6 of 80 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 92% of its model-year peers. See the full 2023 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 35 | 35.4% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 20 | 20.2% |
| STRUCTURE | 14 | 14.1% |
| ENGINE | 12 | 12.1% |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 12 | 12.1% |
| GASOLINE | 12 | 12.1% |
| POWER TRAIN | 11 | 11.1% |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 6 | 6.1% |
The single most-reported system is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, cited in 35 of 99 complaints (35.4%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 24 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 24.0x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22V760000 | 11/10/2022 | 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. |
| 23V149000 | 07/03/2023 | 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. |
| 25V493000 | 28/07/2025 | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS | Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach. |
| 25V794000 | 17/11/2025 | 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. |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.