Kia K5 Recalls

The Kia K5 has 14 recalls covering 2021 through 2026 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, contact hot exhaust components, melt, and leak fuel, creating a fire risk.

Four separate fuel system recalls affect the early production years. On 2021-2022 models with 2.5L turbocharged engines, fuel can leak at the connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel rail. On 2021 models, a separate high-pressure fuel pipe connection may not seal properly, also allowing fuel to leak. A third fuel issue on 2021 models with 1.6L turbocharged engines involves a purge control check valve that wears and causes the fuel tank to expand and contact hot components. All three carry fire risk.

On the steering side, 2021-2022 models with 2.5L turbocharged engines have an electric power steering system that cannot detect certain communication faults, which can cause a sudden loss of power assist and a sharp increase in steering effort. A related issue on 2021 models with the same engine can cause a sudden change in steering feel when the lane-following assist system is active.

The 2021-2023 model years have a side curtain airbag installation defect where the bags may not deploy correctly in a crash. On 2021 models specifically, the front passenger seat sensor may fail to detect a child restraint, which can cause the passenger airbag to deploy toward a child in that seat. The 2021-2023 transmission can lose drive power entirely if the oil pump malfunctions and the fail-safe mode does not engage properly.

More recent production has lower-severity issues. On 2026 models, a software error can cause the instrument panel to go blank, taking the speedometer and warning lights with it. On 2025 models, a software fault in the lighting controller can cause parking lights to flicker. The 2023-2025 model years have rear window trim pieces that can loosen and detach, and 2023 models have C-pillar exterior trim that can separate from the vehicle, both creating road hazards.