Transport CanadaCritical
At a glance
What can fail
The check valve in the purge control system can wear over time, causing the fuel tank to expand. This expansion may push the tank against hot engine parts, leading to fuel leaks.
This page covers 10 recalls, 146 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2021 Kia K5.
27–32 mpg combined
7.4–8.7 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints for the 2021 Kia K5 spread across electrical, fuel, and powertrain systems. Electrical issues draw the most reports, with owners describing intermittent failures in door panels, windows that won't respond, and locks that stop working, symptoms that can leave occupants unable to exit the vehicle normally. Instrument and warning lights flickering without a clear cause also come up across multiple reports. The fuel and propulsion system generates the next-largest cluster, where owners frequently describe a fuel odor, an illuminated check engine light, and difficulty getting dealers to diagnose the underlying cause. Powertrain complaints center on shuddering during driving, sometimes paired with an intermittent check engine light that doesn't lead to a confirmed diagnosis. Separately, a recurring pattern of sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly while driving appears across multiple complaints, with owners describing sudden implosion and debris inside the cabin.
146
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2021 KIA K5 has 10 recalls, the most serious being multiple fuel system defects where leaking fuel or a melting fuel tank can create a fire risk, affecting both turbocharged 1.6L and 2.5L engine variants.
Two related fuel issues involve a high-pressure fuel pipe connection that can lose its seal and leak near the fuel pump, and a purge control check valve that can wear and allow the fuel tank to expand until it contacts hot exhaust components and melts. On the safety equipment side, side curtain airbags on certain vehicles may have been installed incorrectly and can fail to inflate properly in a crash, and the front passenger seat sensor may not detect a child restraint in that seat, which can cause the front airbag to deploy toward a child during a collision. There are also two steering-related concerns on models with the 2.5L turbocharged engine: the electric power steering system can develop an undetected communication fault and the lane following assist feature can lose power assist, both causing a sudden increase in steering effort that can make the vehicle harder to control. Rounding out the list, a transmission oil pump malfunction can disable the fail-safe drive mode and cause a complete loss of drive power.
At a glance
What can fail
The check valve in the purge control system can wear over time, causing the fuel tank to expand. This expansion may push the tank against hot engine parts, leading to fuel leaks.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Replace the check valve, update the engine control software, and inspect the fuel tank for damage. Replace the tank if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A damaged check valve allows air to enter the fuel tank. The tank expands and contacts hot exhaust components, which can melt the tank.
What the fix does
The check valve will be replaced. The fuel tank will be inspected and replaced if damaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbags may not have been installed correctly, which means they might not inflate properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealership where technicians will inspect and reinstall the side curtain airbags if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain air bags may be installed incorrectly, preventing them from deploying properly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission oil pump may malfunction, impairing the vehicle's fail-safe limited-mobility drive mode and potentially causing complete loss of drive power.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission if needed, and update the transmission control unit software. All repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connection between the high-pressure fuel pipe and fuel pump may not seal properly, which could cause fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Kia will mail you instructions to bring your vehicle to a dealer for inspection and replacement of the high-pressure fuel pipe.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 models with 2.5L turbocharged engines, fuel may leak where the high-pressure fuel pump connects to the fuel rail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel pipe connection and tighten or replace it as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the power steering system may lose some power assist when the lane following assist system is active, causing steering to suddenly feel heavier and require more effort.
What the fix does
Kia Canada will mail you instructions to take your vehicle to a dealer for a power steering system software update.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power steering system cannot detect communication failures. If a fault occurs while using lane-keeping assist on a curve, steering assistance may not adjust correctly, suddenly requiring more steering effort.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power steering system's software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The system that detects whether a child car seat is in the front passenger seat may fail to recognize it, potentially affecting airbag deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the occupant detection system unit at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
