NHTSA (USA)Critical
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
This page covers 5 recalls, 92 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 Kia K5.
27–31 mpg combined
7.6–8.7 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 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Fuel system complaints dominate what 2023 K5 owners report. The most common pattern involves fuel not filling properly, owners describe fuel backing up or failing to enter the tank during refueling, sometimes accompanied by a persistent fuel smell inside the cabin. Several owners also report the fuel gauge reading empty shortly after a full fill-up, with the low fuel warning light triggering incorrectly. Powertrain complaints round out the picture, though they cover a broader range of symptoms without a single sharp pattern. The fuel delivery and gauge issues appear to be the clearest recurring theme, with some owners noting the problem persisted across multiple attempts to have it diagnosed or fixed at a dealership.
92
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 KIA K5 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a fuel tank that can expand, contact hot exhaust components, melt, and leak fuel in a way that raises the risk of fire.
A second powertrain recall involves the transmission's fail-safe mode, which is designed to keep the car moving at reduced speed if the oil pump malfunctions. On affected vehicles, that fail-safe can fail to engage, meaning the transmission may cut drive power entirely without warning, leaving the driver unable to accelerate in traffic. On the safety equipment side, side curtain airbags on certain vehicles were installed incorrectly and may not deploy properly in a crash, removing a key layer of protection for occupants during a side impact or rollover.
Two recalls cover exterior trim. Rear window trim pieces on both sides of the car can loosen and detach at speed, and the trim panels on the C-pillars, the vertical supports between the rear side windows and the back glass, can also come free from the vehicle. Both pieces of trim, if shed on the road, become debris that trailing drivers have little time to avoid.
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
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
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 →
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 exterior trim pieces on the C-pillars (the vertical supports behind the rear doors) may not be properly attached and could loosen or separate from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Kia will replace the exterior C-pillar trims at an authorized dealership.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach from the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the C-pillar trim assemblies and replace them if needed, at no cost.
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.
