2023-2025 Kia K5 Exterior Trim Recall (25V493)
Kia America, Inc. · 100,063 vehicles · Reported July 28, 2025
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 100,063 2023-2025 Kia K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach. Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 25V493 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V493000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC346 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | July 28, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2023-2025 Kia K5 |
| Units affected | 100,063 |
| Component | Structure > Exterior Trim |
| Safety risk | Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023-2025 Kia K5 in recall 25V493?
The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Is it safe to drive a 2023-2025 K5 with recall 25V493?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your K5 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the exterior trim, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 25V493?
Recall 25V493 covers 100,063 vehicles: 2023-2025 Kia K5.
NHTSA lists 100,063 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2025 | Kia | K5 |
What is the fix for the K5 exterior trim recall?
Yes. Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.
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.
When was recall 25V493 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 25V493 to NHTSA on July 28, 2025. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as November 19, 2025.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 3, 2022 | First affected vehicle built (per Kia America, Inc.'s filing). |
| July 28, 2025 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 25V493000. |
| November 19, 2025 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 14 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 25V493?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 25V493 is open on your K5, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 25V493000 is open on your K5, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC346. You can also ask any Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should K5 owners do about recall 25V493?
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 25V493000 applies to your K5.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Kia dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the exterior trim happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are K5 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 188 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 13 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Since recall 25V493 was reported on July 28, 2025, owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 1 of them (10%) 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 body, doors and seats and were received on or after July 28, 2025, 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 body, doors and seats issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 188 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 13 of them involve the body, doors and seats. 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.
- 2023 Kia K5: 107 complaints in total, 8 about the body, doors and seats
- 2025 Kia K5: 51 complaints in total, 3 about the body, doors and seats
- 2024 Kia K5: 30 complaints in total, 2 about the body, doors and seats
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side chrome trim extending to the trunk had separated from the vehicle. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: SA552. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause a road safety hazard.
2023 Kia K5 owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11645398, filed February 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) and 25V493000 (Structure); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available and were on back order.
2023 Kia K5 owner, FL, NHTSA complaint 11703918, filed December 9, 2025
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the front splash guard had detached from the vehicle following a night of driving in the rain. The contact stated that the failure had occurred without impact.
2023 Kia K5 owner, KS, NHTSA complaint 11746788, filed June 26, 2026
Can recall 25V493 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 25V493000 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))?
Body and latch defects on the 2023-2025 Kia K5 may seem minor until a door opens while driving or a seat will not lock. Problems that return after repair belong in your records.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2023-2025 Kia K5 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the K5 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
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 25V493
Did the recall 25V493 fix work?
Since recall 25V493 was reported on July 28, 2025, owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the body, doors and seats on these vehicles. 1 of them (10%) 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.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed November 19, 2025.
Is the 25V493000 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 25V493000?
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.
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 25V493000 (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.