Kia K5 Recalls (2021-2026)
The Kia K5 has been the subject of 9 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2021 to 2026 model years. They cluster mostly around the fuel system, air bags, and electrical system.
The Kia K5 scores 20 out of 100 (grade D), a busier recall record than most. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 89% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 56% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 9 campaigns span 6 model years of the Kia K5. The single largest affected 250,547 vehicles, over fuel system. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common K5 problems owners report and its crash-test safety ratings.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Kia K5 may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Kia K5 recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Kia K5 recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2026 Kia K5 Recalls
1 recall affects the 2026 Kia K5, involving the electrical system.
2025 Kia K5 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2025 Kia K5, involving the structure and exterior lighting.
2024 Kia K5 Recalls
2 recalls affect the 2024 Kia K5, involving the fuel system and structure.
2023 Kia K5 Recalls
4 recalls affect the 2023 Kia K5, involving the fuel system, structure, and air bags.
2022 Kia K5 Recalls
5 recalls affect the 2022 Kia K5, involving the fuel system, air bags, and power train.
2021 Kia K5 Recalls
6 recalls affect the 2021 Kia K5, involving the fuel system, air bags, and power train.
Every Kia K5 recall in detail
Select any recall to read the full defect, risk, and remedy text. Do Not Drive and Park Outside warnings stay visible without opening anything.
Electrical System
- Affected years
- 2026 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 42,677
- Reported
- Jan 26, 2026
- Owners notified
- Mar 13, 2026
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
NHTSA campaign number 26V046000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2021-2024 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 250,547
- Reported
- Nov 17, 2025
- Owners notified
- Jan 16, 2026
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.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 beginning December 1, 2025.
NHTSA campaign number 25V794000.
Structure
- Affected years
- 2023-2025 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 100,063
- Reported
- Jul 28, 2025
- Owners notified
- Nov 21, 2025
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 25V493000.
Exterior Lighting
- Affected years
- 2025 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 82,281
- Reported
- May 27, 2025
- Owners notified
- Jun 24, 2025
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.
NHTSA campaign number 25V351000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2021-2023 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 188,912
- Reported
- Mar 7, 2023
- Owners notified
- Apr 7, 2023
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 23V149000.
Power Train
- Affected years
- 2021-2023 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 69,038
- Reported
- Oct 11, 2022
- Owners notified
- Dec 9, 2022
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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 22V760000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2021-2022 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 21,575
- Reported
- Jul 8, 2021
- Owners notified
- Jul 21, 2021
Defect: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
NHTSA campaign number 21V519000.
Lane Departure
- Affected years
- 2021-2022 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 846
- Reported
- Jun 14, 2021
- Owners notified
- Jun 24, 2021
Defect: 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.
Risk: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
NHTSA campaign number 21V447000.
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2021 Kia K5
- Vehicles in this recall
- 142
- Reported
- Mar 11, 2021
- Owners notified
- Mar 18, 2021
Defect: 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."
Risk: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
NHTSA campaign number 21V164000.
Common questions about Kia K5 recalls
- Does the Kia K5 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 9 recall campaigns on record for the Kia K5 across the 2021 to 2026 model years. The most common areas are the fuel system, air bags, and electrical system.
- How many times has the Kia K5 been recalled?
- The Kia K5 has 9 recall campaigns from the 2021 to 2026 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Kia K5 recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the fuel system, affecting 250,547 vehicles. A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Which Kia K5 model year has the most recalls?
- The 2021 Kia K5 has the most, with 6 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Kia K5 has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.