2023 Kia K5 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 106 complaints on the 2023 Kia K5, and NHTSA has issued 4 recalls. The most cited component is the Fuel/Propulsion System (39 complaints).

106
Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
17
Injuries
107.3
Severity index

Severity index 107.3 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 107.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 4 of 82 by severity index among 2023 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 95% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2023 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 39 complaints (36.8%)39 37%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 22 complaints (20.8%)22 21%Fuel SystemFuel System: 14 complaints (13.2%)14 13%GasolineGasoline: 14 complaints (13.2%)14 13%StructureStructure: 14 complaints (13.2%)14 13%EngineEngine: 12 complaints (11.3%)12 11%Power TrainPower Train: 11 complaints (10.4%)11 10%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 6 complaints (5.7%)6 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3936.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2220.8%
FUEL SYSTEM1413.2%
GASOLINE1413.2%
STRUCTURE1413.2%
ENGINE1211.3%
POWER TRAIN1110.4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE65.7%

Complaints filed per year

019382022: 32023: 152024: 192025: 382026: 31 (partial year)222324253826
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20223
202315
202419
202538
2026 (year to date)31
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 24.0x those in 2022 to 2022 (72 against 3).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
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.
25V49300028/07/2025STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
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 2026-09-03. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.