2021 Kia K5 problems, recalls & reliability
Based on 160 NHTSA owner complaints, 6 recall campaigns and government crash-test data for 2021 Kia K5 vehicles.
Vehanta risk score out of 100, calculated only from the counted evidence below — not a guess, and not an opinion.
- Owner complaints — 160 NHTSA complaints on file-4
- Recalls — 6 recall campaigns for this model year-18
- Crash / fire reports — 7 crash reports and 2 fire reports among complaints-1
- Injuries / fatalities — 7 injuries and 1 death reported-1
- NCAP safety rating — 5-star overall government crash rating+10
Most-reported problem areas
What owners of similar 2021 Kia K5 vehicles reported to NHTSA, by component.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19 reports
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17 reports
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER17 reports
- POWER TRAIN8 reports
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE7 reports
- ENGINE7 reports
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER6 reports
- AIR BAGS5 reports
- STRUCTURE5 reports
- SERVICE BRAKES4 reports
Recalls (6)
- LANE DEPARTURE21V447000
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.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE25V794000
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 BAGS23V149000
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.
- POWER TRAIN22V760000
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.
- AIR BAGS21V164000
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."
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE21V519000
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.
Crash-test ratings
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