Kia K5 Complaints (2022)

123 consumer complaints on file.

#11753652July 30, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On XXX, while traveling to [XXX], I experienced serious fuel system problems after filling my vehicle. The fuel gauge fluctuated from full to empty, and a loud pop caused the rear seat, where my two children were sitting, to lift upward. The vehicle would not accept more fuel despite the empty reading. I called AAA, but before the tow arrived, the gauge returned to normal, so I continued my trip. After returning to [XXX], I checked my Kia app and discovered active Recall SC356 describing a damaged check valve that could cause fuel tank expansion, rear seat lifting, and abnormal fuel gauge behavior—the same symptoms I experienced. On XXX, I brought the vehicle to The Kia Store in Louisville, advised them of the recall and my symptoms, and requested an inspection. Service Advisor Sidney Daub stated the issue was caused by a scratched muffler, not the recall, and no recall repair was performed. Relying on that assessment, I continued driving. From XXX, while traveling to [XXX], the same problems returned. Smoke came from the fuel tank area, fuel sprayed onto me when I opened the fuel door, and the vehicle became disabled and required towing home. I then took it to Kia Store East on June 10. There, [XXX] advised the failure was related to Recall SC356, and Haley informed me Kia Consumer Affairs would contact me. After weeks of communications, Kia advised on XXX that the vehicle was unrepairable and requested ownership documents. On XXX, Kia offered only to satisfy my loan balance through a buyback. I believe the dealership's failure to properly diagnose & repair the recall condition in April directly contributed to the later failure, safety hazards, towing expenses, and loss of my vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate Kia's handling of Recall SC356 and the dealership's actions, & encourage Kia to consider a replacement vehicle, collateral swap, or another equitable resolution. 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
#11753188July 27, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
As I was driving down the road, I began to hear a loud, forceful noise. I assumed it was something in my trunk rolling against the rear seats. The noise kept getting louder, and I pulled over, very frightened, as several warning lights came on, including the low fuel light and check engine light, and the fuel gauge needle was past “E.” Before the incident, the GPM reading was 400. After a while, I made it home, but the car started making loud noises and then died. That’s when I noticed my back seats were lifted. I called Kia customer service and had the car towed to the Kia dealership on Seigan Lane, where it is now. Something needs to be done about this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11753069July 27, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-65 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and came to a sudden stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was an issue with the water pressure cooling system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that there was no warranty coverage for the repair on the vehicle. The contact called the warranty company and informed the contact that the warranty mileage was 100,000. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealers were independently owned. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11748609July 6, 2026
SEATS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Driving anywhere in general and which ever speed my gas would leak and smell would over take the car and I have a [XXX] and [XXX] babies. This is not the first but the third recall and this is a fire hazard I can’t imagine my car going in flames while we’re already suffering with a leaking gas smell every time we drive the car I can loose my whole family I will soon being filing a lawsuit against this I want a new vehicle completely I do not feel safe in this car with my kids at all there’s always an issue and my dealership is over 40min away to be going so often throughout the years of having this car this is completely unsafe dangerous and just out right unexpectedable and will be filing soon for a new car and compensation 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
#11747936July 2, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse her vehicle and then shifting the gear shift into drive, the contact noticed her check engine warning illuminated, and she heard an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact then parked the vehicle, went into the dealer, and let them know about the failure, but they offered no assistance. The vehicle was initially taken to the dealer, where NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) was completed. It was after the recall was completed that it was discovered that the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle was not driving properly. The dealer took the vehicle back and provided a loaner. The contact mentioned that the engine was replaced, and then a catalytic converter was replaced. Most recently, the fuel oxygen sensor was discovered to be melted. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the recall was complete with no other assistance offered. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743707June 12, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the automatic front collision avoidance system abruptly engaged while there was a vehicle was parked on the passenger-side of the roadway. The contact stated the parked vehicle did not present a safety hazard to the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740880May 29, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In XXX 2026, I brought my 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line (VIN: [XXX] ) to Jim Click Kia in Tucson, AZ for routine maintenance. Fuel system testing revealed my vehicle failed inspection due to an active federal recall affecting the fuel tank/fuel valve system. Kia America confirmed the recall defect caused cascading damage to additional components, rendering the vehicle completely unrepairable and unsafe to drive. My safety was put at risk because the vehicle cannot be operated and Kia has confirmed no repair is possible. I have been without my vehicle for over two months. Kia America has proposed a buyback at $10,550 (KBB value), which does not reimburse me for the approximately $35,000+ I paid into this vehicle. I have formally requested full reimbursement under 49 U.S.C. § 30120 and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which Kia has declined. I am currently in a rental vehicle paid by Kia, which they have threatened to terminate on June 9, 2026 if I do not accept their offer. 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
#11737476May 12, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
The Integrated Thermal Management System (ITMS) in my Kia K5 GT (2.5T engine) has experienced a recurring internal electronic and mechanical fault. This is the third failure of this component. The failure causes the cooling system to malfunction, either by over-cooling or failing to cycle coolant once at operating temperature. Under acceleration—specifically when merging onto expressways—the vehicle suffers a sudden loss of power and enters 'limp mode' with a dashboard alert stating the engine is overheating. This creates an immediate safety hazard in high-speed traffic. When the fault occurs, the radiator fans lock at 100% duty cycle. This is a documented systemic issue with the Kia 2.5T powertrain (referenced by major automotive publications and multiple Technical Service Bulletins). Despite a prior Lemon Law settlement and an active 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, the manufacturer refuses to acknowledge this as a powertrain or emissions defect, attempting to charge out-of-pocket for a component that prevents the vehicle from passing state emissions and safety inspections."This was also cited in a 2023 issue of car and driver magazine long-term test with The Kia Sorento that shares the same engine and transmission combination This is a third time that part has failed for me with others had to replace that part over seven times The first time it happened it was at 8,000 mi it did not get fixed until 30,000 mi The second time it happened was at 51,000 mi The third time 75,000 mi
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11736237May 7, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the highway and my check engine light came on. I pulled over and it told it was from engine control system. I had a computer connected to it and it came back the idle control system rpm higher than expected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732899April 22, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
A fuel system-related safety recall (SC356) remains incomplete on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership in Jersey City, NJ, where I was informed that the recall repair had been completed. I paid for towing to the dealership for this repair. However, after picking up the vehicle, it immediately began exhibiting worsening symptoms, including engine shaking, rough operation while driving and idling, and prior stalling incidents. A check engine light also appeared after the visit. Upon further verification, the recall still shows as incomplete. This indicates that the recall repair was either not performed or not completed correctly. The issue appears to involve the fuel system, as the symptoms worsened after refueling and include unstable engine performance consistent with improper fuel delivery or air entering the system. This condition creates a safety risk due to potential engine stalling while driving, as well as the known recall risk involving fuel tank deformation and possible fire hazard. The problem has not been properly resolved by the dealership, and the vehicle is currently unsafe for normal use. The failed recall repair is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732143April 18, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle experienced an overheating condition involving the fuel system, which aligns with an active recall stating that a damaged check valve can allow air into the fuel tank, causing it to expand and come into contact with hot exhaust components, potentially melting the fuel tank. While operating the vehicle, this created a serious safety concern due to the risk of fuel tank damage, fuel leakage, and potential fire. This was not a minor issue, as it directly involved a component that could lead to a fire hazard. The vehicle was later evaluated and deemed unrepairable due to the severity of the issue. Because of this, the vehicle is not currently being used due to safety concerns. Despite the known safety risk and recall-related defect, the situation has not been properly resolved. The handling of this issue raises concerns given the potential for fuel system failure and fire risk associated with this defect. This complaint is being submitted due to the safety risk involving the fuel system and the potential for fire while operating the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#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
#11722377March 5, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
EPB light with multiple other dash lights come on. It affects my breaking, shifting and acceleration. I was attempting to get on the freeway the first time it happened and my car would not accelerate. I had to drive off to the side to prevent getting hit. It happens intermittently at no given time. I just got it back from the dealership and am still having the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714570January 30, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car was in an accident with the previous owner I bout the car and the carfax showed rear end collision I told the car worked perfectly. After purchase the car brakes have built up 2 times in 5 months the car stalled it has rpm issues lagging and hesitation as well as the safety front end collision has malfunctioned and it locked my brakes up I did all the steps to try to fix it and I ended up having to disconnect the battery. I sent it to the dealer and they said it was fine I now see the carfax as showing front end collision was reported and has been in the shop multiple times for the hesitation and stalling issue which now that my blue certificated warranty is out they found the issue (pcv valve etc) I’ve asked for a remedy with the dealer and they won’t budge this car is a safety liability.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711976January 19, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2022 Kia k5 has gone into limp mode multiple times now while I am driving in addition to when it starts up. Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn’t want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have read multiple other comments with the same issue and dealerships have no idea what the issue is or how to correctly diagnose. Error codes were P00BD00, C136081, and C174181.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11710833January 14, 2026
SEATS
The driver's seat heater automatically deactivates after 30 seconds. The heating element remains active for only 20 seconds, and unfortunately, the console with the wireless phone charging station is not functioning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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