Kia K5 Complaints (2024)

31 consumer complaints on file.

#11770594October 12, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
gas door will not open, so then unless i forcefully pull it to open it will not open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764128September 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Beginning only about 6 months after I purchased the vehicle, the audio system intermittently screams at me, blasting at over 800 decibels road, engine noise and audio interference noises so that I cannot hear the radio, the telephone, turn it off or down, even when the audio infotainment system is not running. The only way to keep the vehicle from doing this when it occurs is to turn off the car. The noise is so loud that I cannot hear oncoming vehicles, including emergency vehicles, nor can I use the bluetooth phone system - if necessary I would have to break the state law about holding my phone to scream into it- even if someone could hear me on the other end. If I had the windows open, the audio system would break local noise ordinances. It is almost impossible to drive the vehicle when this occurs even though the dealership has said several times that I must bring it in when it is occuring; on one occasion to fulfill this requirement, I put in my earbuds and played music to drive to them for 1 hr to drown out the sound still surpassing my ability to safely focus on the road. Having documented PTSD, ADHD and anxiety disorder, having to drive the vehicle not knowing when and if this sound issue is going to return, makes it incredibly hard to feel safe when driving my own car, originally purchased new from Carriage Kia of Woodstock in December of 2023 after they diagnosed my last vehicle as needing an engine replacement. Having to drive from [XXX] to [XXX] everyday from work, I need reliable and safe transportation to do so, of which this car has not provided given the many issues we have had, including this ongoing problem which puts me at risk every time it occurs and on edge while driving each time it could. Attached is the list of service issues related to this vehicle including the documented ongoing electrical issue tied to the infotainment system, which Kia now acknowledges but suggests is out of warranty despite its existence for over 2 years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760419August 28, 2026
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I bought this vehicle less than 60 days ago and there is transmission hesitation, hard engagement in lower gears, Rough jerking shifting along with acceleration lag. Erracric shifting and phantom braking. I have taken it into the dealership I bought it at at they are not seeing anything. It currently is at another Kia dealership for the past two days. This vehicle is going to cause an accident that puts my safety and others at risk. There is no warning lights that come on. I have done my research and there has been other complaints from other consumers having the same issues. I do have video of in town driving but have not been on the highway
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755374August 6, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vin number or license plate is not showing vehicle in open recall to NHSTA OR KIA AMERICA. Kia has not followed up on their follow up dates regarding resolution(s) for unrepairable recall malfunction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11750099July 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2024 Kia K5's infotainment screen went completely pitch black, disabling the backup camera now creating an active safety hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749173July 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am contacting Kia America Consumer Affairs to formally request a Goodwill Warranty Exception for the total failure of the factory infotainment and radio system in my 2024 Kia K5 LXS. The unit has completely lost Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay functionality. A certified technician has diagnosed the issue as an internal radio hardware failure requiring a complete replacement, quoted at an exorbitant out-of-pocket cost. While my vehicle has surpassed the standard 3-year/36,000-mile radio warranty threshold, this premature electronic failure is a documented, systemic manufacturing defect rather than normal wear and tear. I have fully exhausted all personal troubleshooting measures—including performing hard pinhole resets, deep system restarts via battery disconnection, clear-pairing device profiles, and verifying device firmware. The underlying hardware remains completely non-responsive. Furthermore, Kia America is explicitly aware of this systemic defect in this generation of head units, as evidenced by the publication of Technical Service Bulletin SA582 ("AVN 5.0 Wide Non-Responsive Radio Icon"), which explicitly acknowledges software and hardware stability failures in 2023–2024 infotainment units. Because the failure of this head unit completely eliminates hands-free voice operations, emergency communications, and navigation systems, it introduces an immediate driver distraction and safety hazard on public roads. As a loyal Kia owner who purchased this vehicle expecting modern reliability, I am asking Kia Corporate to review this case, acknowledge the documented history of this defect, and issue a Goodwill Exception to cover the replacement cost of this unit at a certified local dealership. I look forward to your prompt response and the assignment of a regional case manager to resolve this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745022June 18, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle was shaking really bad. Inner tie rod was completely worn out and rusted around 32,000-37,000 miles. 04/23/2026 Ricart Automotive Group, Car purchased [XXX]. Issues since purchasing vehicle 1. AWD Electronic Motor Failed 02/28/2024 2,715 miles. 2. Chrome Side and Rear Pieces coming off 05/12/2026 22,019 miles. 3. Fuel Tank ECM Recall 08/05/2025 24,474 miles. 4. Passenger side mirror replaced 09/19/2025 26,180 miles 5. Fuel Tank Band Inspection 02/09/2026 34,167 miles 6. Passenger Side inner tie rod 04/23/2026 37,860 miles I have spoken with Theresa D. from Kia Customer Care (520)274-1627 requesting the vehicle be replaced or bought back, but due to Ohio's Law covering only the 1st year or 18,000 miles and Kia not issuing the recall until after these deadlines they were unwilling to work with me to replace or buy back, but instead offered me a 1,600.00 settlement. This seems unfair knowing that the issues above 3 and 6 had a recall for Kia K5 Models 2021–2024. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737996May 15, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
chrome pillars came off on highway. the recall was sent in mail but upon visitation to kia for a different recall, I mentioned pillars and they did not have part to repair and there was a wait for part on their end is what they said. car was literally built with many defects I don't know how it passed inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737995May 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The fuel tank expanded, the car was spitting out gas from where you are supposed to insert gas nozzle. my fuel tank expanded so bad from pressure my vehicle sensors malfunctioned my car did not tell me something was wrong, I heard a pop and my car was telling me I had no gas when I did. the insert area for gas to be pumped was swollen and couldn't shut my gas cap cover. I went to gas station and since my car said it was empty I attempted to add gas and it spit it back out immediately it could not take gas, so I called kia locations since I was in [XXX] with kids in my vehicle for halloween trick or treating. the recall papers I have in order says safety hazard was a FIRE. my car fuel tank could had made my car explode at any moment. my engine light did not come on all my car showed me was mile change and inaccurate amount of gas reading. the dealer has had my car since November 2025. I heard popping sounds when I would return home from work in the driveway but no warning. one Time in July of 2025 my engine light came on I went to autozone they gave me a code for something with fuel issue, light didn't stay on no longer than a few hours. kia has cost me so much mishap and unfair financial responsibility. it has been a nightmare. the person working my case I can only talk to in email, it has taken forever now I have a repurchase offer that I had to fight for. they are trying to make me return my rental before completion of repurchase offer which offer stated could take longer than 30 days. this is so unfair. it seems illegal. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732881April 21, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
I am reporting a documented and unresolved brake system safety issue on my 2024 Kia K5 involving repeated premature brake pad wear and rotor damage. The vehicle has required three full brake pad and rotor replacements by approximately 40,000 miles, with each set lasting less than 15,000 miles. Service records consistently document uneven wear on the front brakes, particularly the outer pads, with up to a 4 mm difference between sides. This has resulted in one side reaching metal-to-metal contact while the opposing side retained usable material. This pattern has repeated across multiple brake replacements. This condition creates a braking imbalance that affects vehicle control. The vehicle exhibits pulling under braking and changes in steering alignment, indicating uneven braking force across the front axle. Braking performance can degrade rapidly, transitioning from normal operation to reduced stopping effectiveness without sufficient warning. Despite these documented conditions, the dealership and manufacturer, including escalation through Kia customer care and technical support, have been unable to identify a root cause. The condition has been classified as “within normal range,” and warranty coverage has been denied. The vehicle has been returned to service multiple times without corrective action. It has been acknowledged that the wear pattern is not typical, yet no defect has been identified. This creates a contradiction and uncertainty regarding the vehicle’s ability to safely perform under normal operating conditions. Due to rapid wear progression and lack of warning before significant degradation, there is limited opportunity to service the vehicle before braking performance is affected. This results in continued operation with a recurring braking imbalance. I request this be reviewed as a safety defect due to repeated loss of braking consistency, impact on vehicle control, and increased risk of reduced stopping performance or crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729327April 6, 2026
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My brand new 2024 Kia K5 has been at Kia of temple hills since February 23, 2026. The dealership has stated they do not know how to diagnose or repair the issue and indicated they needed a special diagnostic tool from the manufacturer. The vehicle has now been out of service for an extended period with no repair timeline provided and no communication from them at all. I also have not been provided a loaner or rental vehicle during this timeframe. While driving with my toddler child the steering wheel gets tight the speedometer isn’t reading correctly. Dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree with almost all warning lights on and messages to check every system: from tire pressure to forward collision to RearCross-TrafficSafety and the list goes on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715086February 2, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS
On 10/20/25 as a rideshare driver one of my riders told me that the right side back seat was lifting. I could not believe what the rider was telling me until one of my family members told me the same thing. I immediately for safety reasons parked the car and started searching about any problems with the gas tank, for my surprise there was a serious safety problem in the car where the gas tank was expanding. The car could have got on fire and exploited putting my family, riders and myself at the risk of death. This was reported to Kia Customer Care on 10/20/2025, case # XXX, and later was complemented with the Kia Customer Care case # XXX. On 11/11/25 Kia America recognized that the car was unrepairable and offered a buyback process which was accepted by me on 11/12/25. It has passed 105 days since the car was parked and not used for ridesharing, my main source of income. During this 105 days Kia Finance America has been demanding payments from me, they have not stopped the billing despite my several request. Kia offered me rent a car through Enterprise which does not allow to do ridesharing with their cars, and also car rental reimbursement which I cannot afford. As of today, my lost income has achieved the amount of $ 33,036.77; this was warned to Kia America since the beginning of the process. Kia America has been very a bureaucratic company, and the buyback process has not been finished due to the lack of check from Kia America to the company Morley. All I want is to finish the buyback process because it is giving me a very bad psychological and economic hardship times. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11708479January 3, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
Water intrusion from A/C system Mold growth inside cabin Health effects Vehicle returned unrepaired / unsafe
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707714December 30, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact received the recall notice of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact was concerned that the vehicle might catch fire while driving. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts to do the recall repair were not available. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705549December 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On three occasions, my car cutoff on me. Once on the highway at 60+ mph. The dash would go out, then all indicator icons popped on. I've been to the dealer twice & now a third time. They found nothing. AAA diagnosed low alternator once.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703177December 5, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair, and the contact was unable to ship the vehicle as planned. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696397October 29, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V493000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change, the contact was informed by one of the service employees that the rear window trim on the passenger’s side was loose. In addition, there was an abnormal wind sound coming from the rear window. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the contact became aware that the chrome on the rear window was loose. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684264September 1, 2025
ENGINE
At 2500 miles when checking my oil I discovered flakes of metal on the dipstick. I immediately changed the oil and in doing so found a massive amounts of metal in the filter housing. I took it to the dealer along with pictures and told them on startup the engine was noisy and sounded like it was low on oil, noisy on acceleration and would exabit an engine knock at times when hot. They didn't investigate it at all. Being an auto tech all my life, I know that metal flakes are a sigh of a damaged bearing and by the sound, a conrod bearing. I'm afraid to take it anywhere other than local commutes. This sounds like the same thing as the K4 Tuscan issue in my professional opinion.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11678270August 4, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The C-Pillar garnish fell off both sides of my rear view a while ago.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639863January 31, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle was manufactured with bad rotors, which make it difficult to slow down when driving at high speeds on the highway. The vehicle’s steering wheel and the vehicle itself shakes violently when trying to slow down. My vehicle started having these issues with low mileage also.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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