KIA K5 · model year

2021 KIA K5

204 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021KIAK5 carries 204 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 K5 is electrical system with 37 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (32) and unknown or other (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2021 K5, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

204
Complaints
8
Crashes
3
Fires
9
Injuries
1
Deaths
2021 KIA K5 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 KIA K5. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

204 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM37
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER25
ENGINE22
POWER TRAIN14
AIR BAGS9
STRUCTURE:BODY9
SERVICE BRAKES8
STEERING7
SEATS6
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5
VISIBILITY/WIPER4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING3
LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST2

Recalls (6)

25V79400017/11/2025

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

21V44700014/06/2021

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

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 As

22V76000011/10/2022

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

21V16400011/03/2021

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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

21V51900008/07/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

23V14900007/03/2023

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

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.

Recent Complaints

20260217FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I originally got my car 2023 from Carmax I took it in to Kia dealership to get my recalls done they kept my car for over 6 days without fixing it when I arrived I was showed a photo saying it’s after market parts on this vehicle and we can’t touch it also they stated my vehicle was dangerous to drive so I asked for documentation that my vehicle was denied and they refused also I called Kia cooperate to file a complaint to get proper documentation that my vehicle was denied they told me it was denied as well and said they can’t give me paperwork to state anything

20260217ENGINE

I originally got my car 2023 from Carmax I took it in to Kia dealership to get my recalls done they kept my car for over 6 days without fixing it when I arrived I was showed a photo saying it’s after market parts on this vehicle and we can’t touch it also they stated my vehicle was dangerous to drive so I asked for documentation that my vehicle was denied and they refused also I called Kia cooperate to file a complaint to get proper documentation that my vehicle was denied they told me it was denied as well and said they can’t give me paperwork to state anything

20260214ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The steering wheel became stiff all the sudden and became hard to turn. As well as all the warning lights came on when that happened such as Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Parking Collision Warning Rear Cross Traffic Warning. I was driving in the middle of the road when this happened and this could’ve caused a huge accident due to the fact that I couldn’t steer my car properly. No, the problem has not been resolved yet. It is in the dealership at the moment to be inspected. There was no problem prior to the other signs coming on besides low tire pressure. The appeared as I was driving on the road.

20260214STEERING

The steering wheel became stiff all the sudden and became hard to turn. As well as all the warning lights came on when that happened such as Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Parking Collision Warning Rear Cross Traffic Warning. I was driving in the middle of the road when this happened and this could’ve caused a huge accident due to the fact that I couldn’t steer my car properly. No, the problem has not been resolved yet. It is in the dealership at the moment to be inspected. There was no problem prior to the other signs coming on besides low tire pressure. The appeared as I was driving on the road.

20260214LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

The steering wheel became stiff all the sudden and became hard to turn. As well as all the warning lights came on when that happened such as Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Parking Collision Warning Rear Cross Traffic Warning. I was driving in the middle of the road when this happened and this could’ve caused a huge accident due to the fact that I couldn’t steer my car properly. No, the problem has not been resolved yet. It is in the dealership at the moment to be inspected. There was no problem prior to the other signs coming on besides low tire pressure. The appeared as I was driving on the road.

20260127FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I brought my car in for the recall regarding the faulty check valve in the fuel tank. My check engine light had also just come on. I have a 2021 Kia K5 with 60,000 miles and the dealership tells me I have to replace all 4 fuel injectors since it's causing a "system too lean" message.

20260121ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Blower motor stops working for a bit with no ac or heat

20260116FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud explosion coming from the rear of the vehicle, and there was a dragging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear seat raised up into the air with children seated in the seat. The contact became aware of fuel leaking and that the fuel tank was hanging down. The vehicle was towed to the residence and was later driven to a KIA dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Mileage: 116,000

20251216FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns and they replaced my fuel tank free of charge. A week later same issue so I went to a local mechanic and he replaced another fuel pressure sensor a month passed same issues occurred at least 3 more times on 3 different occasions. I’ve had to get my car towed off the middle of the free way or road numerous of times. This has been a financial nightmare

20251216VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns and they replaced my fuel tank free of charge. A week later same issue so I went to a local mechanic and he replaced another fuel pressure sensor a month passed same issues occurred at least 3 more times on 3 different occasions. I’ve had to get my car towed off the middle of the free way or road numerous of times. This has been a financial nightmare

20251216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns and they replaced my fuel tank free of charge. A week later same issue so I went to a local mechanic and he replaced another fuel pressure sensor a month passed same issues occurred at least 3 more times on 3 different occasions. I’ve had to get my car towed off the middle of the free way or road numerous of times. This has been a financial nightmare

20251216ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and stalls. The check engine light is illuminated. The stalling has occurred multiple times in the middle of freeway traffic, creating an extreme safety hazard. My child has been in the vehicle during every occurrence. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off completely while on the freeway, placing our lives at risk and nearly resulting in a serious collision. This issue is unpredictable, persistent, and prevents safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected and worked on by Southwest Kia and A-Z Auto, but the defect continues to occur. I believe this is a manufacturing or design defe

20251216ENGINE

The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and stalls. The check engine light is illuminated. The stalling has occurred multiple times in the middle of freeway traffic, creating an extreme safety hazard. My child has been in the vehicle during every occurrence. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off completely while on the freeway, placing our lives at risk and nearly resulting in a serious collision. This issue is unpredictable, persistent, and prevents safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected and worked on by Southwest Kia and A-Z Auto, but the defect continues to occur. I believe this is a manufacturing or design defe

20251216FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and stalls. The check engine light is illuminated. The stalling has occurred multiple times in the middle of freeway traffic, creating an extreme safety hazard. My child has been in the vehicle during every occurrence. On one occasion, the vehicle shut off completely while on the freeway, placing our lives at risk and nearly resulting in a serious collision. This issue is unpredictable, persistent, and prevents safe operation of the vehicle. The vehicle has been inspected and worked on by Southwest Kia and A-Z Auto, but the defect continues to occur. I believe this is a manufacturing or design defe

20251215FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Took car to Kia for an oil change and car started driving weird . Rpm hand running high. Check engine light came on , took car to Kia and fuel tank was expanded . Car is still not fixed , and Kia won’t continue to pay for rental.

20251213AIR BAGS

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

20251213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

20251211FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operati

20251211ENGINE

Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operati

20251211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The defects create risks including fuel leakage, stalling, engine shutdown, and potential fire hazard. The safety of the driver and others on the road is put at risk because the vehicle may fail while in motion. The problem appeared immediately after purchase and continues to recur. The dealer was notified but refused to diagnose or repair the vehicle further. No manufacturer inspection has occurred because the dealership declined to provide service. The warning light first appeared within the first week of ownership and has remained intermittent. The vehicle shows signs of unstable engine operati

Compare 2021KIAK5 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 KIA K5 have?
The 2021 KIA K5 has 204 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 KIA K5?
The 2021 KIA K5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 KIA K5?
Yes, the 2021 KIA K5 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA K5?
The most-complained component for the 2021 KIA K5 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 37 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2021 KIA K5 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 KIA K5 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.