FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2021 Kia K5
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 167 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Kia K5, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 134 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 2 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 5 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2021 | 3 | 9 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 11 |
| Jul 2021 | 2 | 13 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 14 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 15 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 16 |
| Jan 2022 | 2 | 18 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 19 |
| Apr 2022 | 5 | 24 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 25 |
| Jul 2022 | 2 | 27 |
| Aug 2022 | 4 | 31 |
| Oct 2022 | 3 | 34 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 35 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 36 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 37 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 38 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 40 |
| May 2023 | 3 | 43 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 44 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 45 |
| Oct 2023 | 2 | 47 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 49 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 50 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 51 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 52 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 53 |
| May 2024 | 4 | 57 |
| Jun 2024 | 5 | 62 |
| Jul 2024 | 9 | 71 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 72 |
| Sep 2024 | 3 | 75 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 77 |
| Dec 2024 | 5 | 82 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 83 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 85 |
| Mar 2025 | 3 | 88 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 89 |
| May 2025 | 6 | 95 |
| Jun 2025 | 2 | 97 |
| Jul 2025 | 9 | 106 |
| Aug 2025 | 5 | 111 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | 113 |
| Oct 2025 | 5 | 118 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 120 |
| Dec 2025 | 7 | 127 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 130 |
| Feb 2026 | 7 | 137 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | 139 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | 141 |
| May 2026 | 6 | 147 |
| Jun 2026 | 5 | 152 |
| Jul 2026 | 7 | 159 |
| Aug 2026 | 5 | 164 |
| Sep 2026 | 3 | 167 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system5625.6%
- Electrical4621.0%
- Engine3114.2%
- Powertrain (other)188.2%
- Driver assistance156.8%
- Airbags104.6%
- Body & structure104.6%
- Brakes94.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
65k miles. Started driving, 20 minutes into driving i was stopped at a round about then I went to accelerate and nothing happened my engine revd really loud and after about 10 seconds my car jolted forward and I was able to accelerate, this would happen every time I stopped and anytime a wanted to accelerate to another gear
- NHTSA ID
- 11766532
- Incident
- Sep 22, 2026
2021 Kia K5 99K1ZRECALL Gas tank expanded and deformed the body, noticeable under back seat. Risk of gas leak or fire Kia of Mckinney service center has vehicle unrepairable SC356 KIA has case # 26282908 No symptoms, driver complained stopping was jerky CAN'T FIX CAR AND WON'T REPLACE IT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765963
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2021
Vehicle experienced a severe engine misfire (P0302), rough running, and loss of power while driving. Dealership confirmed the Purge Control / PCV valve failed (replaced under Recall SC356 / 25V-794), but charged out-of-pocket for the Cylinder 2 ignition coil that failed as a direct result of the PCV valve failure. The Dealership replaced the Purge Control/PCV valve at this time - the recall was not resolved until this time - I wasn't even aware of this recall until this incident. This ocurred on XXX and as a result I was stranded 1500 miles from home in [XXX] (I live in [XXX] and was driving the vehicle to my son at the University of XXX in [XXX]. The car was running fine until I stopped briefly in [XXX] and when I started the car, the engine light came on and the car's engine started sputtering and losing power as I was driving. Due to the fact that I was not in the vicinity of any Kia Dealerships or any open mechanics as it was Labor Day, I somehow managed to drive the car all the way to [XXX] as this was the closest dealership (over 120 miles away from where I was when the engine light came on). Once I arrived in [XXX], I checked into a hotel. I then attempted to drive to the nearest Kia Dealership the following morning at approximately 6:45 am and the engine light started flashing. I knew that this meant I was not able to safely drive the car even the additional 5 miles to the dealership so I pulled over and called Kia Roadside assistance and the dealership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11764825
- Incident
- Sep 7, 2026
The panoramic glass of the sunroof exploded out while driving on the freeway. A large piece of the glass exploded outwards and could not be retrieved. It was not damaged by external impact as other cars were not close enough to kick back rocks, debris, etc. The sunroof glass had no damage prior to shattering. Hazard lights were turned on to drive to the nearest exit, and subsequent accident happened when a speeding vehicle crashed into my vehicle. This happened on the freeway driving 75 mph causing a road hazard, the glass that shattered out could have hit vehicles behind my vehicle, causing damage or a crash. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealership or insurance company as of yet. There were no warning signs or symptoms of failure.
- NHTSA ID
- 11760175
- Incident
- Aug 27, 2026
The contact owned a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The failure was a recurring failure. The message "Not Emissions Ready" was displayed. The vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11759133
- Incident
- Aug 24, 2024
- Mileage
- 20,000 mi
I am reporting a violation of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act by Ball Kia (National City, CA). The dealer tried to deny service for recall 25V794000 (SC356) for a melted, leaking fuel tank, fabricated a false diagnostic narrative of road impact to exploit me, and tried to charge $3,000 out-of-pocket for a federally mandated free repair.My vehicle has a severe fuel leak from a compromised fuel tank. Ball Kia service refused the recall, claiming "external aesthetic factors" or "road debris impact" caused it, and pressured me to tow it away.Using my military infantry experience in mechanical damage assessment, I inspected the vehicle in the service bay. I verified there is absolutely no puncture, tear, scrape, or kinetic impact on the fuel tank assembly. The dealer pointed to a split in the fuel tank protector panel, but a professional assessment shows this is false. The plastic protector panel failed due to extreme thermal exposure; the expanding tank pressed it against the hot exhaust, causing it to melt and tear under heat/pressure, not a kinetic strike.The tank itself is structurally melted and deformed with zero signs of road impact. This physical evidence matches the exact defect mechanism in the NHTSA recall: a deteriorated check valve allows intake pressure into the fuel tank, causing it to expand, hit hot exhaust components, melt, and leak.Only after I read the exact NHTSA safety risk and remedy text verbatim did the service manager back down and open a manufacturer Tech Line.Because I had to fight a fraudulent diagnosis to get this safety mandate acknowledged, I fear internal dealership retaliation, being blacklisted, or receiving a subpar, dangerous repair. Leaving a high-risk fire defect unaddressed is a public safety hazard. Please audit Ball Kia's handling of campaign 25V794000 to ensure they are not endangering or defrauding other affected Kia K5 owners.
- NHTSA ID
- 11757545
- Incident
- Aug 17, 2026
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 that the repair was going well and that only one recall test remained. However, a supervisor later called and stated that the recall repair could not be completed. The vehicle could not be repaired. The vehicle was no longer functional due to a high risk of catching fire from fuel tank swelling caused by the recall defect. The contact stated that prior to the dealer visit, the vehicle had no issues but became inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired, and the dealer stated that the vehicle could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11757490
- Incident
- Jul 16, 2026
- Mileage
- 111,000 mi
Wiring harness has melted at the HVAC connection point.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755313
- Incident
- Jul 31, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN & WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC307/WTY037) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to relocate and install an improved blower motor 40amp fuse, with an increased terminal width, within the front wiring harness fuse box assembly in certain 2021-2022 MY K5 vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 7 high-heat states (AZ, FL, HI, LA, MS, NV, and TX). In addition, Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to all owners for repairs related to the HVAC blower motor in 2021-2022 MY K5 vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAINGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (SC307 Flight#301) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the Voluntary Service Campaign program launch.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, in‑vehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 20, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whole Integrated Body control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) did receive the Ant-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles, a protective cover will be permanently affixed to the ignition cylinder. This Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector prevents the removal of the key lock cylinder thereby preventing access to the ignition tumbler.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.