The Used Car Index

2023 Kia K5 problems

NHTSA lists 107 complaints for the 2023 Kia K5, 6 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 17 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as KIA K5.

At a glance

Complaints
107
With crash
6
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
8
Injuries
17
Deaths
0
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
250,547
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
68

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3936.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2321.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1413.1%
STRUCTURE1413.1%
ENGINE1211.2%
POWER TRAIN1110.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE65.6%
SERVICE BRAKES65.6%
SEATS54.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY11
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCESENSING SYSTEM1
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure3633.6%0.73
fluid or fuel leak1615.0%0.66
loss of control1514.0%0.78
electrical electronic98.4%0.79
unclear98.4%0.89
fire or overheating87.5%0.74
structural or corrosion87.5%0.66
restraint or airbag65.6%0.74
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate7267.3%0.82
low2018.7%0.68
high1211.2%0.83
none21.9%0.79
critical10.9%0.34

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 107 tagged complaints of 107 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

25V794000

Date: 2025-11-17. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: 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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

25V493000

Date: 2025-07-28. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.

Consequence: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC346.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

23V149000

Date: 2023-03-07. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

22V760000

Date: 2022-10-11. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP22003

Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

68 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
POWER TRAIN10
ELE8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6

11033217

Date: 2026-05-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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 impr

11031906

Date: 2026-04-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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

11029984

Date: 2026-03-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: CHROME TRUNK LID MOLDING REPLACEMENT (CA2514) - This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the chrome trunk lid molding on certain 2023-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from October 3, 2022 through January 23, 2024. The chrome faceplate

11027856

Date: 2026-01-16. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FUEL TANK AND/OR PCSV CHECK VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT + ECU SW UPGRADE (SC288/SC288A) CLOSED & SUPERSEDED - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by SC356. This bulletin provided information to inspect the fuel evaporative sys

11026698

Date: 2025-12-09. Type: Other. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal

11026048

Date: 2025-11-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID AND C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY SC346 - This bulletin is now closed and superseded. This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome garnish trim and the C-Pillar(s) chrome g

11025760

Date: 2025-11-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ITM REPLACEMENT AND ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (CA2511) - This bulletin provides information to replace the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) and then upgrade the Engine Control Module a ECMa system software on certain K5 (DL3a) vehicles, in the event the Multifunc

11024347

Date: 2025-10-17. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC288 FLIGHT 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to improve

11020864

Date: 2025-07-18. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC288A) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to improve the logic in t

11019682

Date: 2025-06-21. Type: Emissions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC288) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to improve the logic in th

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
K5107

Same model, other years

All model years | All Kia models

Other Kia models, 2023

Sources

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