2021-2022 Kia K5 Steering Assist Recall (21V447)
Kia America, Inc. · 846 vehicles · Reported June 14, 2021
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 846 2021-2022 Kia K5 vehicles. 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. A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V447 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V447000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC213 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 14, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Kia K5 |
| Units affected | 846 |
| Component | Lane Departure > Lane Keep > Steering Assist |
| Safety risk | A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Kia K5 in recall 21V447?
5L T-GDI engines.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 K5 with recall 21V447?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the steering assist.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V447?
Recall 21V447 covers 846 vehicles: 2021-2022 Kia K5.
NHTSA lists 846 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Kia | K5 |
What is the fix for the K5 steering assist recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 21V447 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 21V447 to NHTSA on June 14, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 14, 2021 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V447000. |
| June 24, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 64 months ago. If your K5 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my K5 is part of recall 21V447?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V447 is open on your K5, it will be listed there.
The fastest check is NHTSA’s VIN lookup. Type in the 17 characters from your registration or insurance card. Because only some 2021-2022 K5 vehicles are included, the VIN check is the only reliable way to know. A brand-new recall may take several days to show up.
What should K5 owners do about recall 21V447?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V447000 applies to your K5.
- Call a Kia dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any steering assist symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are K5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 294 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 10 of them about the driver assistance.
Since recall 21V447 was reported on June 14, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 1 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the driver assistance and were received on or after June 14, 2021, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related driver assistance issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 294 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 10 of them involve the driver assistance. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Kia K5: 167 complaints in total, 4 about the driver assistance
- 2022 Kia K5: 127 complaints in total, 6 about the driver assistance
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Assist feature would illuminate without other vehicles nearby.
2021 Kia K5 owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11518050, filed April 20, 2023
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.
2021 Kia K5 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11705470, filed December 16, 2025
While driving on 7/6/2022, upon acceleration, the vehicle began jerking and applying the brakes as if it was trying to attempt to avoid a rear end collision.
2021 Kia K5 owner, GA, NHTSA complaint 11472594, filed July 6, 2022
Can recall 21V447 make my K5 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V447000 does not automatically make your K5 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
When a driver assistance feature on the 2021-2022 Kia K5 brakes for no reason or stops working, it affects both safety and value. Software fixes do not always hold, which is why repeat repair records matter.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your K5 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia K5 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V447
Did the recall 21V447 fix work?
Since recall 21V447 was reported on June 14, 2021, owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the driver assistance on these vehicles. 1 of them (11%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
Is the 21V447000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my K5 is part of recall 21V447000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V447000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.