Summary
The Kia K5 has 12 recalls covering the 2021–2025 model years, with the most serious being a fuel tank defect on 2021–2024 vehicles where a faulty check valve allows the tank to expand, press against hot exhaust components, melt, and leak fuel in a way that can start a fire.
Two additional fuel system concerns also affect 2021 models. On some, a high-pressure fuel pipe connection at the fuel pump can lose its seal and leak fuel, again raising the risk of fire. On 2021 vehicles fitted with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a separate purge control check valve can wear out, allowing the fuel tank to expand and contact hot components in a similar way.
On the safety restraint side, 2021–2023 models may have side curtain airbags that were installed incorrectly and will not inflate properly in a crash. The 2021 model year also has a passenger seat occupant sensor that can fail to detect a child restraint in the front seat, which means the front passenger airbag may deploy toward a child who should be protected from it.
Steering is a concern on 2021–2022 models equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, where the power steering system cannot detect certain communication faults and can suddenly demand more effort from the driver. A related issue on 2021 models with the same engine ties to the lane following assist system, which can cause a similar abrupt increase in steering effort under certain conditions.
The transmission on 2021–2023 models has a recall where an oil pump fault can disable the fail-safe drive mode entirely, cutting drive power without warning and raising crash risk.
Moving to more recent production, 2023–2025 vehicles have rear window trim pieces on the C-pillars that can loosen and detach while driving, becoming a road hazard. On 2025 models, a software error in the lighting control system can cause the parking lights to flicker rather than illuminate steadily, reducing the vehicle's visibility to others.
