2021 Kia K5 problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 167 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Kia K5, filed between 2020-11-11 and 2026-09-23. The most common problem areas are the electrical system (46, 28%), fuel/propulsion system (43, 26%) and engine (29, 17%). Owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries and 1 death in these complaints. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2021 Kia K5 complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 46 | 28% | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 43 | 26% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or other | 32 | 19% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 29 | 17% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 18 | 11% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 13 | 8% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 10 | 6% | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Structure | 10 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 9 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 8 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 7 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 3% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Electrical system: 46 complaints
- 46 complaints of 167 (28%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 8 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 2 fires in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Kia K5 covers this system.
Fuel/propulsion system: 43 complaints
- 43 complaints of 167 (26%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- 8 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Kia K5 covers this system.
Engine: 29 complaints
- 29 complaints of 167 (17%) name the engine.
- 8 of them also name the fuel/propulsion system; owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2021 Kia K5 covers this system.
Power train: 18 complaints
- 18 complaints of 167 (11%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 5 of them also name the engine; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2021 Kia K5; the recall, campaign 22V760000, says: “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.”
Fuel system, gasoline: 13 complaints
- 13 complaints of 167 (8%) name the fuel system, gasoline.
- 4 of them also name the engine; owners reported 1 injury in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Kia K5; the latest, campaign 25V794000, says: “A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.”
Air bags: 10 complaints
- 10 complaints of 167 (6%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 3 of them also name the fuel/propulsion system; owners reported 5 crashes, 5 injuries and 1 death in these complaints.
- 2 NHTSA recalls cover this system on the 2021 Kia K5; the latest, campaign 23V149000, says: “The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.”
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 40 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names K5, model year 2021. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2021 Kia K5 recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia K5?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2021 Kia K5's most common problem areas are the electrical system (46 of 167 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (43 of 167 complaints) and engine (29 of 167 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2021 Kia K5 have?
NHTSA has 167 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Kia K5, including 8 reported crashes and 2 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia K5's problems?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 Kia K5; 3 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.