Kia K5 Recalls (2021-2026)

What recalls does the Kia K5 have?

• 2025 Kia K4 Instrument Cluster Recall (26V046) Repeat recall
  January 26, 2026 · 42,677 vehicles · Electrical System

  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.

  Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge.

• 2021-2024 Kia K5 Fuel Recall (25V794)
  November 17, 2025 · 250,547 vehicles · Fuel System

  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.

  Fix: Dealers will replace the check valve.

• 2023-2025 Kia K5 Exterior Trim Recall (25V493)
  July 28, 2025 · 100,063 vehicles · Body, Doors and Seats

  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.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

• 2025 Kia K5 Lighting Control Module Software Recall (25V351)
  May 27, 2025 · 82,281 vehicles · Lighting and Visibility

  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.

  Fix: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge.

• 2021-2023 Kia K5 Curtain Air Bag Recall (23V149)
  March 7, 2023 · 188,912 vehicles · Air Bags

  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.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge.

• 2021-2022 Kia Sorento Transmission Recall (22V760)
  October 11, 2022 · 69,038 vehicles · Transmission

  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.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary.

• 2021 Kia Sorento Fuel Line Recall (21V519)
  July 8, 2021 · 21,575 vehicles · Fuel System

  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.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge.

• 2021-2022 Kia K5 Steering Assist Recall (21V447)
  June 14, 2021 · 846 vehicles · Driver Assistance

  5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults.

  Risk: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge.

• 2021 Kia Telluride Passenger Air Bag Recall (21V164)
  March 11, 2021 · 142 vehicles · Air Bags

  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.

  Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge.

Which K5 parts are recalled most?

Which K5 model years have the most recalls?

How do I check my K5 for open recalls?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 9 Kia K5 campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.

What are K5 owners reporting?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.

Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):

Main wiring harness melted in my fuse box, had to pay $5000 to replace, turbo leaked into my engine and cause for the engine to blow! Hadn’t even had the car a year !! This is getting ridiculous.

2021 KIA K5 owner, Electrical System, NHTSA complaint 11661765

The Electric seats do not adjust due to failed motors. Electric mirrors do not adjust due to failed motors. Gas refuel door does not open due to faulty actuator. All things that make the care dangerous to drive. Online search reveals that all three issues are very common in the 2021-2023 KIA K5 cars.

2021 KIA K5 owner, Fuel/Propulsion System, NHTSA complaint 11638110

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission-related issues, including erratic shifting, delayed response, slippage, and sudden loss of power while driving. These symptoms significantly impact drivability and pose a safety risk, especially when accelerating or merging in traffic. The issue was previously addressed by the dealership under a recall repair.

2022 KIA K5 owner, Fuel/Propulsion System, NHTSA complaint 11656652

Can a recall make your K5 a lemon in California?

Owners of a Kia K5 often ask whether these recalls mean their vehicle qualifies under California's lemon law. Not by themselves. The question is whether a covered defect keeps coming back, or keeps the vehicle at the dealer, after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

1 of the 9 recalls listed here follow an earlier campaign on the same component, which can mean a first fix did not work. 1 involve the engine, transmission or high-voltage battery, the kinds of repairs that often take several visits or weeks of downtime.

Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails 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.

What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.

More Kia K5 lemon law pages

All Kia recalls · 2021 Kia K5 lemon law · 2022 Kia K5 lemon law · 2023 Kia K5 lemon law · 2024 Kia K5 lemon law · 2025 Kia K5 lemon law · 2026 Kia K5 lemon law

Other Kia models with recalls

• Carnival: 7 recalls
• Carnival Hybrid: 1 recall
• EV6: 5 recalls
• EV9: 10 recalls
• Forte: 5 recalls
• K4: 3 recalls
• K5: 9 recalls
• Niro: 3 recalls
• Niro EV: 5 recalls
• Niro PHEV: 3 recalls
• Rio: 2 recalls
• Seltos: 4 recalls
• Sorento: 13 recalls
• Sorento Hybrid: 6 recalls
• Sorento PHEV: 8 recalls
• Soul: 5 recalls
• Sportage: 11 recalls
• Sportage Hybrid: 2 recalls
• Sportage PHEV: 3 recalls
• Stinger: 5 recalls
• Telluride: 16 recalls
• Telluride Hybrid: 2 recalls

Frequently asked questions about Kia K5 recalls