2021 Kia K5 Airbags Problems

I purchased a 2021 car in April 2024, which was originally side-swiped in November 2024. I filed an insurance claim and had to wait for the other insurer’s statement. In January 2025, the insurance company sent the car to one of their approved shops for electrical repairs, but the shop refused to work on it after noticing a missing airbag and flagged the car as a liability. They also mentioned the car had multiple past accidents and should have been listed as salvage, not clean title. I informed the dealership, but they refused to service the car, claiming the 30-day window had passed, even though their website states a 6-month warranty. Over the past year, I’ve been repairing the car myself and taking it to Kia and Midas, where I was told the car is in terrible condition. The dealership found water damage from a slow leak and wiring issues that were present when I bought the car. Now I’ve been quoted over $5,000 for repairs including a new computer and electrical work. I’ve tried reaching out to the dealership with no success. This car is essential for commuting to work and for my kids. I’ve had to rent a car for the past month, costing me over $1,000. I’m seeking assistance with this situation as I believe I was sold a defective vehicle without proper disclosure. I put down $4,000 when I purchased the car and have continued making small payments because I need it to commute and can’t afford another vehicle right now. I have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with Progressive and comprehensive and collision coverage through the dealership’s partnered company, Brio Management, as they operate from the same office. Given these circumstances, I’m asking for help with this situation because I was sold a car with undisclosed damage and defects, and I’ve been left with costly repairs and rental expenses while the dealership won’t assist me.

NHTSA ID

11720667

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Recall SC263) AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY (SC356)x2 A MELTED FUEL TANK CAN LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE

NHTSA ID

11704826

Incident

Dec 12, 2025

I have a Kia K5 and was not informed of the SC288 Service campaign Fuel tank Inspection & EMC update (VESC) expansion of fuel tank and explosions' of fuel tanks. My vehicle was not apart of the recall for the fuel tank expanding program. I took my vesical in for service for over heating and it failed the SC288 Service Campaign. my gas tank expanded and caused structural damage to my car. it has been 8 weeks and I have not have had any contact from Kia consumer affairs. I am now with out resolve and I now have to get a lawyer.

NHTSA ID

11691125

Incident

Aug 8, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11661615

Incident

Feb 20, 2025

While on her way from work, my mother was involved in an accident in her 2021 Kia K5 LXS where she was rear ended at a high speed by a driver not paying attention to the road and she ended up hitting the car in front of her. During the accident NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEVELOPED. My mother was hospitalized for a month and do to the SEVERITY OF HER MAJOR INJURIES (rib fractures, a closed fracture of her T7-T8 with loss of sensation and mobility of lower half of body) she passed away from “Effects Of Blunt Spinal And Rib Cage Trauma.” No recalls were noted for this particular model and year until March of 2023 which was way too late.

NHTSA ID

11557151

Incident

Feb 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V149000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11521419

Incident

May 8, 2023

I was rearended into another vehicle at a speed of about 50mph, then rearended again by and SUV, not one of my 9 airbags deployed.

NHTSA ID

11504460

Incident

Jan 27, 2023

The contact's son owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while her son was driving in the rain at 50 MPH, another vehicle hit her son's vehicle from behind which sent the vehicle into a concrete barrier. The vehicle was sent spinning after it hit the barrier; the vehicle was facing oncoming traffic once it came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's son was not injured and did not seek any medical attention. The other driver fled the scene of the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed independent collision center where it had yet to be inspected or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11475762

Incident

Jul 24, 2022

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 (IN THIER PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES) ALL SAY THEY ARE SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT TRIGGERED BEING THE FACT IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE FOLDING SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE FREE OF THE LATCH AND FOLDED ITSELF DOWN. THAT SEAT HAS NEVER BEEN FOLDED DOWN OR EVEN SAT IN FOR THAT MATTER, SO I KNOW FOR A FACT IT WAS LATCHED. SAD TO SAY MY BEAUTIFUL BRAND NEW K5 THAT I HAVE HAD FOR 2 MONTHS NOW HAS CLOSE TO $13,000 DAMAGE. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THIS THING. WHAT IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN?

NHTSA ID

11399278

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

10,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11374198

Incident

Nov 11, 2020

Mileage

1,100 mi