Kia K5 Complaints (2022)

129 consumer complaints on file.

#11690424September 29, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS
I was driving my car and heard a loud pop, I was on the interstate and thought maybe my tire was going flat but nothing alerted me on my dash. I heard loud wind noises but everything seemed fine until my car started basically hopping forward and it became hard to accelerate. I had to push the gas harder than normal to maintain average highway speeds. I was also feeling super lightheaded while driving and kept rolling my window down as if I couldn’t get a full breath of air. I would roll it back up after 5 minutes or so and would have to roll it right back down. I was driving a long distance and wasn’t able to immediately stop but I was informed of the gasoline fumes when I family member helped get my bags out of my car. It was the scariest thing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690382September 29, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear seat started to rise independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband was sitting on the rear seat. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an expanded fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the repair had taken three weeks. The vehicle was returned to the contact. The contact stated that two weeks later, the manufacturer began sending emails to the contact, which stated that the vehicle was under recall. The contact was advised to park and not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle remained at the dealer for two additional months. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was non-repairable. The contact had not received an offer for a replacement vehicle and the contact was still required to continue monthly payments. In addition, the contact was concerned because her husband had been driving an unsafe vehicle for two weeks after the repair was performed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688406September 19, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I took my car because of fuel recall, due to multiple vehicles having their gas tank expanding or exploding. Even after they completed the recall on my vehicle I still had my gas tank expand. I took my vehicle to the Kia Frisco dealership and they took my vehicle advising they had to buy it back from me. Once they had the vehicle after close to a month they stated that my vehicle was repairable even after stating that several of these models had gas tanks expanding and exploding. I do not feel safe getting into this vehicle after the repair and I want to report it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684579September 2, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gas tank expanding causing gas to drip from than tank onto the floor potentially causing a fire hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684111August 30, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Paint chipping on driver’s side door
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683515August 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Kia dealership has confirmed that the components of the vehicle's multi-fuse (located under the hood) for the AC/HVAC system have started to burn and are melting part of the fuse panel due to excessive current draw and excessive heat. Due to this, the vehicle's HVAC (both heat and a/c) does not function. A vehicle's HVAC functions help to: 1) Defrost/defog vehicle's windows during rainy and humid days, 2) maintains a vehicle's air quality, 3) cools the vehicle's interior on hot and humid days, 4) assists in preventing mold and bacteria growth via dehumidification, 5) assists in keeping the cabin cool and dry to prevent driver fatigue and promote driver focus. Other than the inoperability of the HVAC system, no other signs or symptoms were present prior to the issue. I initially though this issue would be covered under Kia's HVAC Blower technical bulletin/warranty (WTY037) however the dealership has advised that the WTY037 only applies if the fuse is blown, not melted. This slight difference in melting vs. blowing should be an issue as the effect of the issue is the same, but components melting seems to be slightly more serious, but is not covered. Also, melting components, to me, could lead to fire hazards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682972August 25, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 43 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud booming sound. The contact's daughter, who was occupying a rear seat, screamed out because the rear seats had suddenly risen. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. The check engine and the low fuel warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife met the contact and picked up the children. The contact stated that upon resuming driving, the vehicle was jerking violently, and the fuel gauge level lowered significantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an EVAP system failure. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel tank had expanded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to repurchase the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682352August 22, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
All my lights on my dash keep lighting up for no reason. When I bought my car it did it and premier Kia said they fixed it but it keeps happening. We pay too much money for cars to act like this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682212August 21, 2025
ENGINE, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Thoratal body and engine light and engine rebbing up on its own.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680790August 14, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car stalls out without warning. The electronics (radio, dash, lights, etc...) all are still functional, the engine light comes on while the car is still "on" with the engine stalled out. I pulled over, put the car in park, turned it off, and then restarted the car without issue. After restarting the car, the check engine light is not longer on. This first occurred once about a year or two after i bought the car while on the freeway (2023). The second time I was on a dirt road outside of town (March 2025). The third time I was accelerating through an intersection while taking a left turn, after being stopped at the green light waiting for a time to turn (August 2025). My car stalled out in the middle of the intersection, but I was lucky enough to have gained enough momentum to roll out of the way of oncoming vehicles. The most recent time this occurred, the car had trouble turning over, but was able to after a few tries. I took it into my kia dealership and they told me to replace the battery as it was testing "low". I bought a battery from autozone and replaced it as instructed. However I have never had any issues otherwise and the battery test autozone performed on my old battery said the old battery was still "good". This was recent and the problem is rare so i have not confirmed if this is a fix, however it is a dangerous fault that does not seem to be resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680236August 12, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel consumption jumped then car began jerking shortly after engine failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680235August 12, 2025
SEATS
For really no reason at all truck locked and would not reopen while simultaneously the seats acces to trunk would not work not even emergency safety release would open either
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680233August 12, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Engine failed for literally no reason and started smoking and Lia won’t stand by warranty either
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679933August 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Gas tank expanded and warped the back seat causing my child’s car seat to not be seated properly. Walking near the car you can smell gasoline very strongly. The check engine light came on briefly and then went away. My car is at the dealership currently as they decide what to do about the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679373August 8, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Blower motor failure, available for inspection upon request. The failure occurred while driving in muggy conditions, resulting in rapid fogging of the windshield and front side windows. With no functioning airflow, the vehicle’s defrost/defog system was inoperable, and visibility through the windshield became significantly impaired. This required me to reduce speed and open windows in inclement weather to maintain a minimal view of the road, creating additional distraction and exposure to hazardous conditions. The blower motor produces no airflow at any fan speed setting. Failure was confirmed during inspection. No warning lights, messages, or other indicators appeared before, during, or after the failure. This is not an isolated incident. A brief search reveals numerous reports from Kia K5 owners describing the same sudden blower motor failure, indicating a likely systemic defect in the HVAC system design. Kia has not issued a recall, technical service bulletin, or other remedy despite repeated reports from vehicle owners. Kia’s continued inaction in the face of widespread, well-documented blower motor failures represents a disregard for both driver safety and basic manufacturing responsibility. Numerous Kia K5 owners have already been victimized by this defect, and doubtlessly many more will be as long as these vehicles remain on the road unrepaired. The loss of climate control directly compromises a driver’s ability to maintain a clear windshield, safely see the road, and operate the vehicle in adverse weather. These are not “comfort” issues, they are safety-critical failures. By ignoring the mounting evidence and leaving affected vehicles on the road without a remedy, Kia is willfully allowing a known hazard to persist, exposing thousands of drivers and passengers to unnecessary and avoidable risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679271August 8, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the A/C failed to blow cold air as intended. Upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the fuse box had started melting. The contact stated that the fuse was shaken as a temporary repair. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the failure was related to TSB: CS2301; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679191August 7, 2025
AIR BAGS
Side Curtain and Seat Side Airbags. Unavailable for inspection as Avis Rental Company cleaned the vehicle, removed airbags, and sold at auction as salvage. Side curtain airbags trapped me in the vehicle, and shrapnel from seat side airbag impaled/injured my arm. Combination of Side Curtain and Seat Side airbags, and seat belt, resulted in catastrophic shoulder injuries. Additionally, the gases and powder substance from the airbag deployment caused a severe asthma attack. I was told that the entire interior was covered in a powder substance. Note: It appears that Avis Rental Company rented this vehicle out in violation of Federal Law (FIXING AMERICA'S SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ACT - Public Law 114-94 114th Congress - SEC. 24109. <<NOTE: Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2015.>> RENTAL CAR SAFETY.) as the recall is still showing as unresolved. I had also contact Kia Corporate and Kia Maui to inquire as to whether they had record of the recall being resolved and neither did.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11676756July 28, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
July 5th we were driving heard a loud boom and the car slowed down we pulled over. Then we seen that the seat was lifted up and smelled gas. We had an appointment for Monday July 7 for this recall and wasn’t able to drop off the next on Tuesday July 8. As called that Monday made the dealer aware. Now they been having the car and we are just waiting on the next process. There’s not sure what saying Kia will contact us. I am reaching out to get some type of results. We can’t get a rental car and next week it will be 30 days on the 8th of August. We are looking to resolve this matter with Kia.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672965July 11, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My fuel tank has expanded. It has deformed the body beneath the rear seat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672599July 10, 2025
ENGINE, SERVICE BRAKES
Brake pump failure caused the exhaust camshaft to break on the engine rendering the car inoperable. Engine replacement will cost over 8000 quoted by dealership. Car has check engine lights on the dash. We were advised by the mechanic at the dealership, they have had problems with the k5s with this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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