Kia K5 Complaints

508 consumer complaints on file.

#11730356April 10, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a 2022 KIA K5 gt-line new and the horn stopped working less than a year later at 64,000 miles Gary Rome KIA assessed the repair and said KIA would not cover. I paid $169.00. In January 2026 my horn stopped working again. Ron Bouchard KIA assessed and said KIA would not cover repairs, I paid $819.98 myself. I have contacted KIA myself and with the assistance of the Ma Atty Gen'l office. I and the Atty Gen'l advocate have not received a reply from KIA. my out of pocket cost so far is $877.38 not including down time and inconvenience. KIA reportedly quietly acknowledged the horn issue in the K5 and extended warranty to cover repairs but did not or will not reimburse me my cost. I have uploaded bills and KIA horn defect acknowledgment article
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730217April 9, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a fuel odor inside the vehicle. Occasionally, the low fuel warning light was illuminated. While attempting to refuel the vehicle, gasoline was not entering the fuel tank as intended. The fuel odor inside the vehicle grew stronger. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was severe. The contact was informed that, due to the severity of the failure, the vehicle could not be released to the contact. The contact was informed that the fuel tank had expanded severely and that the expanded fuel tank had shifted the frame of the vehicle. The contact was provided with a loaner vehicle. The contact stated that the contact's [XXX] son had been complaining about headaches for several months. In addition, the contact stated that the contact's son's normal seating space was the rear seat. The contact's son was receiving continued treatment from a neurologist for the unexplained, consistent headaches. In addition, the contact was being treated by primary care for unexplained headaches and other illnesses. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the request for a buy-back was required. The contact was informed that the vehicle would not be released due to the safety hazard. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11730198April 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving the entire car goes black kind of like you just turned it off. It has only happened at night time. The dash screen completely turns off and the headlights will go off. When it comes back on the dash has several lights on it such as the seatbelt is unbuckled (when I’m buckled), and other warning lights. This has been happening since September 2025. I take it to the dealership and they can’t seem to find anything wrong with it, and told me they “can’t do anything until the part completely fails” it’s creates a severe safety hazard since it only happens at night and the headlights also go off.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729846April 8, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While driving on the interstate at 70 miles an hour on cruise, I turned off cruise control in order to take control of my vehicle in order to change lanes and my car immediately took back the control and accelerated and then abruptly hit brakes at 70 miles an hour throwing me forward hitting my head which caused unconsciousness and when I came to, My air bags had deployed and my car was total lossed. Due to the state of shock and a concussion, I thought the car had hit an eighteen wheeler which was the last thing I remembered seeing in front of me due to the damages to my car. However, the truck was not there and my car was against the wall where it had stopped. I don’t know if something like debris came from under the truck that was in front of me causing the sensors to engage due to the abrupt stop causing me to hit my head and knocking me on conscious. No other vehicle was at the scene and my car had significant damage causing it to be a total loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729577April 7, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am reporting a failure in the integrity of Federal Safety Recall completion and documentation at Kia of Daphne. On 2/6/26, I was issued official paperwork stating a recall part was 'Special Ordered.' On 4/3, I attempted to call for FU in part progress. Informed “recall was done and replaced 2/6, and no part was ordered.” Advisor requested I speak to manager, I declined, request they speak to advisor. No call back until my VM left 4/6 afternoon requesting FU call. On 4/6/26 late afternoon, unprofessional call from another advisor who stated “we don’t see part ordered,” Advisor manager intercepted call, extremely unprofessional, stated he reviewed 4/4 and found nothing to support my statement, yet no FU call was placed to I, nor was any contact ever attempted by Kia. The dealership management proceeded to claim the recall was 'Complete' despite no record of the part arriving or being installed, and other advise “misspoke”. When I presented in person and requested clarification on this discrepancy in documentation/information/last signed document by I based on statement of part is order and will call when arrived to schedule; a male staff member became physically aggressive and volatile. I am concerned that the dealership is inaccurately reporting recall completions to NHTSA/Kia America without actually performing the required repairs or using the specified parts.I am also concerned for the integrity and safe environment of this dealership for customers and staff. I cannot attach the 11 minute video of the encounter, but am happy to provide via email to those who inquire given discretion for other parties.
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
#11728917April 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line has had a recurring check engine light fault (P0471 — exhaust pressure sensor circuit) since approximately 9,874 miles in September 2022. The vehicle has been brought to the servicing Kia dealer a minimum of five times for this same fault across nearly 65,000 miles. It has never been permanently resolved. Most critically: dealer repair records from May 2025 (56,501 miles) confirm a technician identified fault code P047100, noted it as a history code, cleared it, test drove the vehicle, and returned it without performing any repair and without informing me. Ten months later, the same dealer presented this identical fault as a $1,121.07 customer-pay repair on a vehicle under active 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The repair was only approved after I contacted Kia Consumer Affairs directly — the dealer had not contacted them despite claiming otherwise. The February 2026 repair failed within 15 minutes of pickup. I made five documented phone calls to the dealer over 33 days reporting the failure. No action was taken. The April 2026 repair — sensor and hose replacement — failed within one hour of pickup on April 1, 2026. Of additional concern: Recall SC288/SC288A (Fuel Tank Inspection and ECM Re-Update) was performed on this vehicle twice — July 2024 and August 2025. The ECM governs the exhaust pressure sensor circuit. The P0471 fault first appeared in dealer records between these two recall dates and has persisted through both completions. CARFAX confirms the April 2026 repair involved the engine/powertrain computer module. I am requesting NHTSA investigate whether SC288/SC288A is connected to recurring P0471 faults in 2022 Kia K5 vehicles. Kia Consumer Affairs Case escalated April 2, 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728595April 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN
STATEMENT OF FACTS: I presented my Kia K5 for two safety recalls (SC356 and SC263) with an active Check Engine Light for code P047100 (Exhaust Pressure Sensor). I informed the service advisor, Aliyah, that this code is a symptomatic secondary fault of the pressure irregularities addressed in Recall SC356, which explicitly lists an "Illuminated Check Engine Light" (MIL) as a primary warning sign. The dealership dismissed my technical assessment—which was backed by advanced AI data analysis. After the software update was performed, the advisor claimed the code remained "active," thereby "proving" it was unrelated to the recall. Based on this, I was charged a $248 diagnostic fee and told I needed a $534.02 out-of-pocket hardware repair for a "physically failing" differential pressure sensor that was allegedly reading 2 HPA against a spec of 23.09 HPA. EVIDENCE OF ERROR: Upon taking delivery of the vehicle, the Check Engine Light was completely extinguished. If the light were truly "still active" after the update, as I was told to justify the fee, the fault would have been present at pickup. Since then, I have driven over 120 miles (including multiple cold-start drive cycles between [XXX] and my place of work) with a 100% clear dashboard. My XXX App confirms the XXX fault is resolved, while the recalls remain "Open" administratively. REGULATORY VIOLATION: Under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301, a manufacturer must remedy a safety defect without charge. A software "Logic Update" cannot physically repair a broken pressure sensor. The fact that the fault disappeared immediately following the update proves the sensor was functional and the fault was caused by the recall defect. By misdiagnosing a recall symptom as a non-covered hardware failure, the dealer effectively charged me for a federal safety repair. I request an investigation into these "diagnostic gatekeeping" practices and a full refund of the $248.00 fee. 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
#11728275March 31, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while taking the vehicle to the dealer, it was determined by the dealer that the vehicle could not be repaired. The contact was not given any reason why the vehicle could not be repaired and was offered a buy-back option instead. The contact stated that the rear passenger seats were extremely hot. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727249March 26, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle is currently under a recall (recall SC356), but I'm currently very far from a Kia dealership. The nearest one is about 175 miles away. I contacted Kia and they informed me that they can't reimburse me for having my car towed to the dealership. So now I am stuck with a car that could possibly catch fire at anytime, according to the recall notice. And they refuse to help me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727242March 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle experienced a failure directly related to a manufacturer recall involving fuel tank expansion. The incident occurred while the vehicle was in use during normal operation on a work trip approximately three hours away from home. This failure presents a serious safety concern due to the involvement of the fuel system, including the risk of fuel leakage, system failure, or potential fire hazard. The condition made the vehicle unsafe to operate and required immediate attention. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, where it was inspected and the issue was confirmed to be related to the recall. The dealership determined that the vehicle is a total loss and cannot be repaired. The failure has not been reproduced as the vehicle is no longer operable. The vehicle remains at the dealership and should be available for inspection upon request. UNKNOWN if warning lights or messages appeared prior to the failure. The issue occurred during normal driving conditions. The manufacturer has been notified and a case was opened; however, no resolution or response has been provided to date despite multiple attempts to follow up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727119March 25, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The infotainment system in my 2022 Kia K5 began failing on or around early December, 2025, at approximately 44,000 miles and has continued to worsen. The vehicle is currently at approximately 47,000 miles. The screen displays the Kia startup screen repeatedly and does not fully load, flashing, becoming unresponsive, and ultimately causing distraction while driving. Audio may still function, but key features such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and auxiliary input do not work. The backup camera will either not function at all or will flash intermittently while reversing. This failure affects safe operation of the vehicle because it limits access to vehicle controls and creates distraction while driving due to the malfunctioning display. It also impacts visibility and usability of integrated systems that are expected to function reliably. The problem has been reproduced consistently and was evaluated by a Kia dealership. The dealership was unable to determine a clear cause for the failure but recommended full replacement of the infotainment system at a cost of approximately $6,700. There were no clear warning messages prior to failure. The issue has persisted despite attempts to reset the system and power cycle the vehicle. This appears to be a premature failure of a critical electronic system that should not occur at this mileage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726488March 23, 2026
TIRES
I brought my car into Dyer Kia on March 16, 2025 to replace my rear passenger side tire that had a bubble in it.They finally agreed to replace the tire and after being there for 4 1/2 hours they sent me on my way and I was within 5 miles of home and I did hit a small hole in the road and the tire immediately went flat. This tire was the one that they had just replaced in January on the passenger side front I contacted them again and told them that I was going to go to a tire dealer and put on new tires and send them the bill because now I am afraid to even drive my car. Sending them the bill is probably a moot point but it’s worth a shot. My car is brand new has approximately 1450 miles on it and I’ve already had three flats. I had actually told my sales rep while I was waiting for my tire to be put on that Dyer Kia should actually replace all four of my tires with new tires and not Pirelli’s. And he said that’s never gonna happen.I don’t understand why they would put as they call it a racing performance tire on a street car. I had four new Goodyear tires put on the car and the minute I drove away with a new tires, You could feel a total difference in the ride. I hope nobody dies because of all these defective Pirelli tires 235/45/18
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726486March 23, 2026
TIRES
On March 14, 2026 I discovered that my rear passenger tire had a large bubble. Pirelli P Zero All season 235/45/18. I contacted Dyer Kia about replacement and they told me that they could not get me in until Monday, this was Saturday. I was due to be somewhere on Sunday and told them I didn’t want to drive on the doughnut or on the tire with the bubble. They said there’s nothing we can do about it till Monday unless you want to go and purchase a tire and have it put on and we will see if we can reimburse you. That was not an option. Especially they after said we’ll see if we can reimburse. I went to there service department on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 8 AM. I told the service tech that the tire was in the trunk and it had a large bubble in it and it needed to be replaced. This tire had approximately 1400 miles on it. This is the second tire in two months that I have had to have replaced. They told me that I must’ve hit a pothole because that’s what causes sidewall bubbles. I disagree. They finally agreed to replace the tire and after being there for 4 1/2 hours they sent me on my way and I was within 5 miles of home and I did hit a small hole in the road and the tire immediately went flat. This tire was the one that they had just replaced in January on the passenger side front I contacted them again and told them that I was going to go to a tire dealer and put on new tires and send them the bill because now I am afraid to even drive my car. Sending them the bill is probably a moot point but it’s worth a shot. My car is brand new has approximately 1450 miles on it and I’ve already had three flats. I don’t
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726477March 23, 2026
TIRES
On 1/12/26 I brought my 2025 Kia K5 to Dyer Kia in Lake Wales, Florida, for a blow out on my right front tire. The tire had 700 miles on it. I have only had the car since October 2025. Car was new. Tire is a Perelli and tire size is 235/45/18. When I got there the service technician told me that I ran over something. I did not. I was on a smooth road, no debris on the road. I had two other people in the car with me and they can verify that there was nothing on the road because we walked the road to see if there was any debris. They replaced it under their pro Care policy, because I had not purchased road hazard. I didn’t purchase that because it came in a package that I couldn’t afford. They did replace the tire and then I had to pay for the tire sensor because they said it was faulty. I don’t think I should’ve had to pay for that but that’s another story.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725882March 20, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS
On March 9, 2026, I brought my vehicle to a Kia dealership in Alexandria, Virginia after experiencing a loud thump noise from the rear of the vehicle while stopped at a red light. (3/08/2026) Immediately following the incident, I smelled gasoline, noticed a significant drop in fuel economy, and heard persistent road noise as if a window were open. I explained these concerns in detail to the service advisor and specifically stated my belief that the fuel tank may have expanded. I was informed that this was not related to any recall. After approximately two hours, my vehicle was returned to me without resolution. The symptoms persisted, including the smell of gasoline, which poses a clear safety risk. A few days later, I took my vehicle to a second Kia dealership for further inspection related to Recall SC356. At that time, I was informed that my initial concern was correct—the fuel tank had in fact expanded. I was initially told the repair would take 3–4 days due to parts ordering. However, I was subsequently contacted and instructed not to retrieve my vehicle, as Kia is now pursuing a buyback. While I understand the seriousness of the issue, I am currently without a vehicle, and I have not been provided with a rental or loaner. Given that this issue is tied to a safety-related recall and that my vehicle is unsafe to operate due to the presence of fuel odor, this situation is both unreasonable and unacceptable. They have yet to send me any reports from the second Kia dealership in which I had taken it on 3/14/2026 I was only told over the phone via a service advisor named India that I was correct in suspecting the fuel tank had expanded causing the gasoline fumes and road noise
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725390March 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Shortly after a routine oil change performed at a Kia dealership, I discovered a significant oil leak underneath the vehicle the following day. Within a short period of time, the vehicle began experiencing engine-related issues including a cylinder misfire, noticeable shaking while driving, and loss of power, particularly when accelerating or driving on inclines. The vehicle also displayed a check engine light and a warning related to 12-volt battery drain. In addition, I noticed a strong burning odor coming from the engine area, which raised concerns about a possible fluid leak or internal engine issue. These conditions created a safety concern because the vehicle would hesitate and lose power during normal driving, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially in traffic or when merging or climbing inclines. The vehicle was returned to a Kia dealership for inspection. I was informed that a cylinder issue was suspected; however, only a temporary repair involving a coil swap was performed. No comprehensive diagnostic testing was completed to confirm the root cause of the problem. After the repair, the vehicle continued to exhibit abnormal behavior, including shaking and lack of power. Due to ongoing safety concerns and lack of confidence in the vehicle’s reliability, I stopped driving the vehicle. This issue occurred at relatively low mileage, raising concerns about a potential engine defect or unresolved mechanical failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723870March 12, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2026 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine harness failure. The contact was informed that the engine harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the parts were ordered and would be delivered within a week. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the dealer would be contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 89.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723226March 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Kia has a known wiring‑harness defect that causes the low engine oil sensor to trigger incorrectly. Despite this, there has been no recall, and new vehicles are still being sold with the issue. The wiring harness is now on back order, leaving me without a car for weeks or longer. The vehicle has plenty of oil, and the dealership confirmed there are no engine problems, yet the warning light keeps coming back because of the faulty harness. This happened 1 day after buying this car new from the dealership lot.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723082March 9, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION
RECALL CHECK AND THEY KEPT MY CAR AND SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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