KnownCarProblems2021 Kia K5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia K5, most often about the fuel system (34% of complaints, typically around 113,000 miles). It is the most complained-about K5 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2021 Kia K5 problems
Fuel system
57 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 113,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55-60 MPH, the fuel tank expanded. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that the fuel tank had expanded, and that the vehicle was unrepairable. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v794000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair. The contact was struggling to receive updates on the status of the vehicle. The contact spoke with a service clerk and was informed…
Electrical
46 complaints · 27%Parts named most often: horn.
Vehicle was stopped a red light on a city street when suddenly cut off. Smoke began to pour out from under the hood. Less than 1 minute later the vehicle was fully involved under the hood of car. Car was a total loss. Vehicle had just been driven approximately 25 miles (all highway) from home towards work when…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the driver assist feature would activate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and shifted from park to drive to deactivate the driver assist feature and continued driving to his…
Other or unspecified
32 complaints · 19%I was traveling at approximately 40-45 MPH, another vehicle crossed in my path, and I broadsided his vehicle. I am not sure of my speed at impact. I would guess 30 MPH. Airbags did not deploy. The rear drivers side seat also came unlatched, folding itself down. There were no other passengers in the vehicle.
While I was driving on the interstate, I heard and abnormal about of noise coming from the engine bay as well as a scratch while I was driving. This happened on march 26, 2021 at 10pm. On march 29, 2022 I took it to the dealer ship and I was notified that my engine cover came off and was the cause of the noise.…
Engine
32 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated with dtc: p0471 displayed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v794000 (fuel system, gasoline) and was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the dealer replaced the check valve. After…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the driver-side turn signal became inoperable. The vehicle was shifting hard and/or not shifting at all. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shut down. The turn signal and brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated there was a recall for NHTSA…
Transmission
19 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the driver-side turn signal became inoperable. The vehicle was shifting hard and/or not shifting at all. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle shut down. The turn signal and brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated there was a recall for NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a…
Driver assistance
14 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: warnings, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane keep.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 5-10 MPH and making a turn on a road with no lanes, the steering wheel inadvertently started shuddering and became rigid, causing the contact's daughter to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a construction…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the driver assist feature would activate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and shifted from park to drive to deactivate the driver assist feature and continued driving to his…
Air bags
10 complaints · 6%Was driving to work on freeway and a deer jumped out in front of car, I hit it between 65-70 MPH and not one of the many airbags installed on this brand new car deployed . The police officer at the scene said I'm lucky to be alive.
I was traveling 45 MPH in my 2021 K5 gt line when an older toyota camry crossed my path. I applied brakes but there was no avoiding the collision. I broadsided the camry at somewhere between 30 and 35 MPH. I sustained injuries to both knees, neck and back. Air bags did not deploy. Police, wrecker driver and body shop…
Body and structure
10 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body.
While I was driving on the interstate, I heard and abnormal about of noise coming from the engine bay as well as a scratch while I was driving. This happened on march 26, 2021 at 10pm. On march 29, 2022 I took it to the dealer ship and I was notified that my engine cover came off and was the cause of the noise.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Kia K5 recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 16, 2026. Owners may contact kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc356. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning december 1, 2025.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 k5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Air bags: curtain
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 7, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc263.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 k5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed december 9, 2022. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc250.
Full defect summary
Kia motors, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 sorento and 2021-2023 k5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 21, 2021. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc214.
Full defect summary
Kia motor america (kia) is recalling certain 2021 sorento and 2021-2022 k5 vehicles equipped with 2.5l turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Driver assistance: steering assist
Risk: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the r-mdps software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed june 24, 2021. Owner may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc213.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 k5 vehicles equipped with 2.5l t-gdi engines. The rack-mounted motor driven power steering (r-mdps) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with lane following assist (lfa) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Air bags: front passenger
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs/ods unit, free of charge. The recall began march 18, 2021. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc207.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2021 telluride, k5, and forte vehicles. The occupant classification and detection system (ocs/ods) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2021 Kia K5
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia K5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (57 complaints, typically around 113,000 miles); electrical (46 complaints); other or unspecified (32 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Kia K5 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 17, 2025 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Kia K5?
- It is the most complained-about K5 model year since 2000, with 169 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.