Kia K5 Complaints (2021)

169 consumer complaints on file.

#11681944August 20, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Just minutes before entering the highway, my son and I heard a very loud popping sound that startled us, like something large hit the car or a tire exploded. I immediately pulled into a gas station checked the exterior & all 4 tires, but everything appeared intact. Shortly after, while driving on hwy during morning rush hour at 65–70 mph in the far-left lane, the check engine light illuminated & almost immediately the car lost all engine power. My speed dropped quickly with cars behind me traveling at high speeds. I had to activate hazard lights & cut across 4 lanes of traffic to the shoulder, putting myself, my child passenger, & others at serious risk of a multi-car collision. While waiting for help, I plugged in my FIXD OBD-II reader later looking over diagnostics read code P0451 – EVAP System Pressure Sensor. 8 hours after car was towed & had been parked at my home & still not starting I researched the code to learn what that means & the possible cause for & found it is all emission related issues varying in reasons as simple as a gas cap replacement. Nothing of any engine failure while driving risking the lives of drivers & others so before sending my car to a mechanic, I went and checked the gas cap in case just a simple emissions type fix that is where I observed fuel still bubbling out of the tank have photos, my daughter, & sister, as witnesses. The next day car was towed to Kia Mall of Georgia on June 26, 2025. As of August 20, 2025, the dealership has confirmed the fuel tank expanded as of now there is no resolution from Kia for fixing once this happens can likely shift car frame & could be declared totaled. Component/system failed: Fuel tank/EVAP system (pressure failure). Vehicle is available for inspection at Kia Mall of Georgia. Safety risk:Complete engine shutdown at highway speeds with child passenger on board; risk of multi-car, high-speed crash. Fuel bubbling/spitting increased fire hazard. not a recall only emissions campaign needs to change
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11680278August 12, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The reverse braking feature registers cross traffic or movement that is not near the back of the vehicle. This cause the braking system to engage. I was doing a U turn on 4 lane main street with a center divider. I didnt fully clear the turn leaving me to reverse to complete to turn. When i put the car in reverse, the sensors picked up movement across the street, engaging the brakes and leaving me stuck in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic coming straight at me. It would not disengage when I tried accelerating and I had to quickly throw my car into drive and pull into a driveway, that was luckily there, just to avoid being T-boned by oncoming traffic. This is not the first occurance as it happens often in parking lots locking my brakes due to any movement from behind. There is a manual feature in the dashboard to turn it off but it automatically resets every time the car is turned off, requiring you to have to manually disengage the feature everytime and you cannot disengage while the brakes are locked.i took it to the dealers but they said since it is a "feature" it is not considered a safety issue since there is an option to disengage even though it has to be reset during every use. They could not help or remedy the issue and instructed me to file a complaint with Kia manufactures since they are only the Kia dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677876August 1, 2025
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while the contact’s son-in-law was driving, the fuel level indicator failed to function as intended. The contact’s son-in-law noticed that the miles available indicator stated that there were 430 miles until empty. The contact’s son-in-law stated that after driving for approximately 20 minutes, the miles available indicator indicated that the miles had decreased by 50 miles. The contact’s son-in-law drove the vehicle to a nearby gas station, and inspected the fuel tank cap, and confirmed that that fuel cap was sufficiently tightened. The contact's son-in-law proceeded to drive for another hour and the miles available indicator decreased by 200 miles. The contact stated that there were three occupants, including an infant, seated in the rear seat of the vehicle. The contact’s daughter, who was seated in the rear seat, noticed heat on the back of her legs. In addition, the contact’s daughter noticed an abnormal ticking sound and the rear seat independently raised up. The contact’s daughter stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact’s son-in-law inspected the vehicle. The contact’s son-in-law and daughter switched seats. The contact stated that the daughter had driven a short distance, and the miles available dropped from 200 to 50 miles. The contact instructed the daughter to stop and exit the vehicle. The contact stated that the fuel tank level indicated the fuel was empty and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact’s son-in-law was instructed to turn the vehicle off and how to inspect the vehicle. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact’s son-in-law was instructed to remove the rear seat. The contact’s son-in-law noticed that the fuel tank was swollen. The contact’s son-in-law was instructed to remove the fuel cap to release the pressure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not inspected. The contact was informed of an unknown recall; however,
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11677076July 29, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Check engine light came on and when filling up my gas tank, gas spit back out at me which has happened with the fuel tank i had in it last year and has since been replaced. Forward collision, EBS, traction control and forward safety sensor lights came on the next day and the car is running extremely rough. It was towed to a shop to see if it has to do with the fuel tank recall. Multiple people in Roanoke, Virginia are having the exact same problem as is a large portion of people online complaining about the exact same thing. Some going back 30 weeks ago.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11676487July 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and unresolved safety issues with my Kia K5, which I believe are directly related to a known recall involving the ECM (engine control module) and/or fuel system. My vehicle continues to jerk and misfire during acceleration, and it has even stalled at idle on multiple occasions — creating a serious safety concern for myself and others on the road. I have already completed the recommended repairs, including new ignition coils and spark plugs, yet the problem persists. Despite these symptoms aligning with known recall-related issues, Kia of Orange Park (Florida) has refused to fully diagnose or investigate the matter, citing that the recall does not apply in my case. However, the symptoms match those outlined in other ECM/fuel system-related recalls, and this is not the first time this dealership has failed to properly address mechanical concerns. Previously, I had to escalate an A/C issue to Kia Corporate, which only resulted in a resolution after a recall was issued right before my vehicle was set to be returned with the same issue. That situation makes me extremely concerned that my current safety concerns are again being ignored and will only be addressed after a broader recall is issued. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter, as I am worried this defect may affect other vehicles and poses a safety risk that Kia and its dealerships are not taking seriously. Thank you for your attention and action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675567July 23, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AC blower stoped working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675207July 21, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My fuel tank expanded while I was driving on the highway, causing my car to stall and would not respond to me pushing on the gas. I pulled over on the side of the highway and looked back and saw my rear seats were pushed up. Got it towed to the Kia dealership and they informed me that my car was totaled because the gas tank expanded so much it bent my frame. This has been an ongoing issue with Kia/Hyundai vehicles but they have still not issued a formal recall, only a voluntary callback even though this is a very dangerous defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674755July 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Air/hearing works intermittently. I’ve had fuses replaced and this seems to be a known and ongoing issue that Kia refuses to acknowledge. Many have reported that the wires are melting inside of the fuse box and I fear that this may result in a fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674722July 19, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Expansion of air tank, causing to pop up frame in backseat and total car deemed unsafe to drive. No warnings car had never been in the shop prayer happened while driving over rule Mountain area with two children in the backseat. Kia inspected diagnostic ran stated it was air in gas tank under a recall claim to fix it for free and then two weeks later stated it was going to Kia America for a case number. Kia America called and stated that it was not safe to drive and the car is totaled.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11674500July 18, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the highway when I heard a loud explosion like a gunshot that caused me to slow down and almost getting into an accident. It was scary; I came to a stop and realized that my sunroof had exploded. There is a large hole in my sunroof bigger than a watermelon with glass particles everywhere.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671235July 4, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Driving down highway, gas hand was on half a tank then all of a sudden gas hand drops to empty and light comes on, engine started sputtering. Heard a loud pop in the back seat looked back and back seat has popped up from base. Strong odor of gasoline poured into the car. Went to closest gas station to get off highway. Unable to put fuel into tank. Called Quality KIA of Greenwood they said get out of the car and do not drive it. Called for a tow, vehicle has been towed to Quality KIA of Greenwood.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671124July 3, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hit pot holes lower control arm was replaced
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
#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
#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
#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
#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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