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Kia K5 Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

9 recall campaigns on record across 4 model years of the Kia K5. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

9
Recall Campaigns
306
Owner Complaints
31
Reported Injuries
7
Reported Deaths
4 affected model years25 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 2021

Affected Model Years

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Airbag2 campaigns (22%)
Engine2 campaigns (22%)
Steering1 campaign (11%)
Transmission1 campaign (11%)
Other1 campaign (11%)
Visibility/Lighting1 campaign (11%)
Electrical1 campaign (11%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Kia K5

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
47
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
38
ENGINE
37
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
37
POWER TRAIN
24
STRUCTURE:BODY
15
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12
AIR BAGS
11
SERVICE BRAKES
11
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
8

Based on 306 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years. 7 deaths and 31 injuries reported.

All Kia K5 Recall Campaigns

#21V1640002021 Kia K5Airbag
Issued: Nov 3, 2021

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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

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

#21V5190002021 Kia K5Engine
Issued: Aug 7, 2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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 1-800-333-45

#21V4470002021 Kia K5Steering
Issued: Invalid Date

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

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 As

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 re

#23V1490002021 Kia K5Airbag
Issued: Jul 3, 2023

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

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

#22V7600002021 Kia K5Transmission
Issued: Nov 10, 2022

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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 le

#25V7940002021 Kia K5Engine
Issued: Invalid Date

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

#25V4930002023 Kia K5Other
Issued: Invalid Date

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

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 800-33

#25V3510002025 Kia K5Visibility/Lighting
Issued: Invalid Date

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

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 Devi

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

#26V0460002026 Kia K5Electrical
Issued: Invalid Date

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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 suc

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 Cus

Recalls by Component

2Engine Recalls

#21V519000MY 2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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-

#25V794000MY 2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 compone

2Airbag Recalls

#21V164000MY 2021

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

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

#23V149000MY 2021

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

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

1Electrical Recalls

#26V046000MY 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

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,

1Steering Recalls

#21V447000MY 2021

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

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 abilit

Kia K5 Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Kia K5 have?
The Kia K5 has 9 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 2021 through 2026.
Is my K5 under recall?
Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.
What is the most recalled K5 year?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Kia K5 has the highest recall campaign count (6 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.
Does a K5 recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?
Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Who pays for recall repairs on a K5?
The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Kia K5 for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My K5