Kia K5 Complaints

479 consumer complaints on file.

#11670383June 30, 2025
POWER TRAIN, STRUCTURE:BODY
A silver piller price of trim flew off on the highway in the rear. A lot of Kia k5 owners have experienced this and it could fly off and hit someone on the highway. Transmission is super jerky and can sometimes lose power I’ve also known a lot of people that have similar issues with the kind of transmission in the k5 GT 2022
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670173June 30, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, WHEELS
Tire pressure light did not illuminate. Tire was apparently low, and tire blew out at stop. Inside sidewall of tire had large gash once tire was removed and spare installed. See picture.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667923June 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have replaced the Engine Splash on my Kia K5 twice and need to get it replaced again. This item is poorly made and it was replaced the two times from Kia at over $500. This seems to be a problem with many of the 2022 Kia K5's. It's almost like it disintegrates when it rains. This is a very expensive repair here are the dates of repairs 02/2023, 04/2024 and the date of the incident that is still needing to be repaired 03/2025.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667899June 19, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AC system is interminably stops working for hours or days then starts working again. Have taken to dealer but every time I get it there unit starts working and they say they can’t check it if it’s working. This has been going on for over a month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667048June 15, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
at 2:30 PM i had noticed that my passenger rear trim, right above my trunk was loose. I made note of it. about three hours later, i was driving down the interstate and i noticed it came off and was flying through the air. Thankfully it didn’t hit another vehicle but this isn’t the first time I have had issues with the trim and a lot of other k5 owners have had issues as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667044June 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving home recently with my young stepson securely seated in his car seat and my fiancé in the passenger seat, we suddenly heard a terrifying loud bang. Immediately following the explosion, my stepson cried out in pain. At the time, the windows were up and the air conditioning was off, yet we all felt an intense gust of wind inside the vehicle. When I turned around, I saw that my stepson’s seat had been lifted unusually high. We later discovered that either the fuel tank or the fuel pump had exploded.I was shocked and terrified. I had no prior knowledge of any fuel system issues or recalls on this vehicle. After contacting my local Kia dealership, a representative informed me, “Yep, your car has the recall, and it sounds like it swelled up.” Even more troubling is that I never received any recall notifications regarding these issues. The only recall notices I’ve ever received by mail were years ago for a completely different vehicle — my previous Kia Soul, which is no longer in use, as well as the recall for the side curtain airbag.I took it upon myself to do a VIN check and learned that this recall was issued on July 9, 2021, yet I purchased the car from Bev Smith Kia of Fort Pierce on December 30, 2022 — long after the recall had been published. I’m struggling to understand how this vehicle was sold without the required recall repairs being completed or disclosed.I am currently trying to work with Kia to resolve the issue, but I felt it was important to share this with your team so others can be made aware of the potential danger. Had this explosion happened at higher speed or on the highway, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666991June 15, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a safety concern with the KIA K5 Advance Driving Assistance Systems. The concern is the Driver Attention Warning (DAW) being a distraction to the driver due to consistent dinging and flashing light of the "taking a break" that according to manual could go off every 4 minutes, however, in my experience it can go off every 3 minutes (see attached documentation), which is excessive. The frequency that the light goes off has led me to be distracted and nearly hitting the car in front of me because I am looking down at the light. I'm at the point; I am afraid to drive the car because I don't know when this light will go off. According to the manual it can go off 4 minutes into a drive. When reviewing the manual, it fails to tell you what exactly is causes the light to go off and how long you are supposed to be taking a break for. I have taken it to the dealership three times, and they tell me it is working property. I have asked if the light can be shut off, but they tell me it cannot be shut off even though it says in the manual it can be. I have also worked with KIA corporate, and they tell me the newer KIAs it cannot be shut off. The older models also had attention level gauge that could show the driver where their attention level is, but this was removed. In conclusion, this "take a break light" is a major distraction to driver that cannot be shut off that could lead the driver taking their eyes off the road multiple times in a driver that can cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666943June 14, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Back seat popped up due to fuel tank rising from under seat while driving
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664959June 4, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
My 2022 Kia K5 panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded while the car was parked. There was no impact, no debris, and no warning signs — just a loud explosion and shattered glass everywhere. I previously had a cracked windshield but was unable to afford repairs, as I am unemployed. Now the sunroof has blown out completely, and I believe this could be part of a structural or manufacturing defect. Kia will tow the vehicle to the dealership (Fred Anderson Kia of Raleigh) 06/05 between 8am-10am and I am requesting support under goodwill repair. This was a serious safety hazard and could have injured me, my toddler or others. I’ve since found other reports of Kia sunroofs exploding and believe this needs to be investigated further.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11664652June 3, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
My 2023 Kia K5 GT (VIN: [XXX]) is experiencing a dangerous complete power loss at highway speeds. I was driving at the speed limit on [XXX] when the vehicle lost propulsion, entered limp-home mode, and illuminated every warning lamp. This has happened six times since purchase. The car is currently parked, and I am not confident enough to drive the car; I nearly missed a crash pulling into the emergency lane from the leftmost lane to the rightmost lane. After losing power in the engine, that was a traumatizing experience. I tried to explain this to people multiple times at different service centers, but they care less: "We can't fix it unless we can reproduce it," but this happens randomly; I cannot make it happen at the service center. This matches the recall SC250 symptoms exactly, though my VIN is excluded. I have tried with Multiple dealers before, but they cannot fix it. They say, "We cannot fix it unless we can reproduce it." 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
#11663973May 30, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K5. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the front headlights, rear brake lights, and interior cabin lights illuminated very bright. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced prior to the recurring failure by the same local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11663031May 27, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, while the transmission was shifting gear, the vehicle started sputtering and jerking. The contact stated that the failure occurred while shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear, and from 2nd gear to 3rd gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with an erratic gear shift with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662629May 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Having issues with the blower motor and harness which is a known issue with this car. I can’t keep my AC working plus my defroster doesn’t work either with the issue I am having with the blower motor. The issue is ongoing
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11662538May 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at the red traffic light, the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that upon shifting to park(P) and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661975May 19, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On Friday 5/16/25 my check engine light was on when I went to leave for work and when I began driving I felt excessive air flow coming from my back seat. I stopped and noticed that the back seat had popped up. I then noticed my gas gauge was showing empty, but my digital reading was correct.. The car was sluggish and my son's father told me that the gas tank was swollen and to stop driving it. I called Kia on Saturday morning and was told I could bring it in today at 9am. I left the car and was given a loaner, but I do not feel it would be safe to ever drive that car again. They immediately knew what the problem was and said it was a recall, but I was never notified about it. It was extremely scary driving it to Kia this morning because they are over 50 miles away from where I live.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661765May 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Main wiring harness melted in my fuse box, had to pay $5000 to replace, turbo leaked into my engine and cause for the engine to blow! Hadn’t even had the car a year !! This is getting ridiculous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661615May 17, 2025
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I recently purchased a Kia k5 2021 gt line awd one month later I noticed there was recall I take to the dealership they let me know it will only take a few hours (3) and I can pick up later the same they call me 3h later and let me know sorry this case is going to take a few weeks and I should pick up rental car and they will pay for my rental so I did I come back one month later nothing as been done they just tell me to wait and they can’t release due to the safety recall the tank has swelled up it has been 3mont now and they still haven’t done anything to the car and I can’t sell the vehicle cause they won’t release it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661465May 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My a/c has been giving me issues for about a year and a half to two years now. I have a 2021 Kia k5. When I first told Kia about it they told me it’s from the rain, if that’s the case then every car on the road would have this issue. Then they later told me it was my motor blower when I went back. There was a thousand dollar difference between two quotes they gave me for the same issue also. The air used to come on for a few hours or a day then go completely off. Now it’s sometimes will give off cold air if I put my hand to the vent but it’s nothing powerful to make a difference in the summer. I have read up on many other people having this issue. Kia also sent a recall to me last summer for a/c issues but the dealership told me that doesn’t apply to me because they are saying it’s my blower motor. I should not be held responsible for this malfunction at all. I want to request Kia give me an extended hvac warranty up to 180,000 miles at least!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661450May 16, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
All of my check lights are on. All of my sensors are popping up. It says no power steering. No cruise control. No lane departure and a few other lights are popping on every time I turn my car on and they all stay on. So far it isn’t preventing me from driving it but none of my safety features work
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660607May 13, 2025
STEERING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle consistently pulls sharply to the right while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. As soon as I release the steering wheel, the car veers aggressively to the right, making it difficult to stay in the lane. The steering wheel does not center and requires constant correction. The issue feels mechanical and significantly impacts my ability to drive safely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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