Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 128 safety complaints
about the 2022 Kia K5 with the US government. Of those, 15 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 20 people were injured and 2 deaths are recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the fuel and propulsion system,
named in 35 complaints, 27% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 57,000 miles,
the median across the 21
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers June 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
128 complaints on file
128
Complaints
15
Describe a crash
4
Mention fire
20
People injured
2
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose by half year on year: 50 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 31 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 35 · 27%
35 27%
ENGINE 28 · 22%
28 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 · 20%
25 20%
POWER TRAIN 21 · 16%
21 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20 · 16%
20 16%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12 · 9%
12 9%
AIR BAGS 9 · 7%
9 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 7%
9 7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8 · 6%
8 6%
SEATS 8 · 6%
8 6%
STRUCTURE 8 · 6%
8 6%
STEERING 6 · 5%
6 5%
01531
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 128.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2025 at 47.
52 39 26 13
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2022 Kia K5, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
10.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
The risk
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC356. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 1, 2025.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 250,547 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
The risk
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC263.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 188,912 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. 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.
The risk
Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
Kia America, Inc. · up to 69,038 vehicles across all model years covered
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
The risk
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
Kia Motors America · up to 21,575 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
The risk
A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
Kia Motors America · up to 846 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 deaths · 2 injured · crash · towed
My son owned the 2022 Kia s-K5 and lost his life in the same car ...him and my nephew died in this car last [XXX] one month after his [XXX] birthday...he was driving the car hit maybe black ice or the car lock up and went sideways on the payment for .3 of a mile and couldn't pick straits or gain control of the car and then hit a ditch n tree and satellites 2 total with the front of the car rolled the car over into a canal with water in drown and died ..the front air bags never deployed the side ones did but it took a lot of damage on the front were it showed them air bags was defaults and did not perform as a safe device as they are designed for ...then the seat belts were locked and that's …
NHTSA complaint 11706904, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with the driver-assist feature, activated, there was another vehicle driving slower at approximately 50 MPH was in front however the vehicle's feature did not automatically decrease in speed causing the contact to rear the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact had his daughter and her husband at the time of the incident where both sustained a concussion, fractured nose, and arm injuries. Both passengers were taken to the hospital. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware of the passengers in the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot due to it not …
NHTSA complaint 11454925, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
2 injured · crash · towed
I was traveling normally, exiting a highway ramp when my car acceleration system malfunctioned. It seemed as if it was a power train issue or engine issue. I was not able to accelerate or slow down properly due to this malfunction and it caused me to crash. My car was totaled.
NHTSA complaint 11502223. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed
I was involved in an accident where my lane departure warning did not work! I was hit twice, causing significant body damage over19,000 in which my air bags did not deploy!
NHTSA complaint 11572809. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Verified by ASE Certified Mechanic Premature PCV valve/ Oil Separator failure. Causes codes such as P0507, P0171, P0471. This can trigger limp mode, sudden loss of speed/engine power, thus increasing the event of an accident.
NHTSA complaint 11768182. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
2 injured · crash · towed · 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The contact did not attempt to restart the vehicle. The contact activated the hazard lights; however, 20–30 minutes later, another vehicle struck the front passenger side of the vehicle near the front passenger’s side wheel. The contact sustained sharp lower back, hip, and left knee pain. The contact's boyfriend sustained lower back and right knee pain. A family member transported both occupants to the hospital, where medical attention was provided. The check engine warning light illuminated after the failure. A Police …
NHTSA complaint 11766144, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle is subject to Kia Safety Recall SC356 / NHTSA Recall 25V794 involving the fuel tank/check valve. The recall concerns potential fuel-tank swelling that can cause the tank to contact hot exhaust components, potentially melt and leak fuel and create a fire hazard. The component/system involved is the fuel tank and fuel tank check valve. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The safety concern is that a fuel tank that swells could contact hot exhaust components, potentially resulting in a fuel leak and vehicle fire. Because the vehicle is driven by my daughter, I am concerned about her safety and the safety of other occupants. The recall condition has been …
NHTSA complaint 11765515, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
fire
- The exact component that failed has not yet been determined. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of acceleration while driving, followed by a popping noise, smoke, and a fire that severely damaged the vehicle. The vehicle is a 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle has an open Safety Recall SC356 / NHTSA Recall 25V794 involving the purge control system check valve and fuel tank, which may result in fuel leakage and an increased risk of fire. The recall repair had not been performed prior to the incident. The vehicle is currently being preserved and is available for inspection upon request. - The vehicle caught fire while driving on XXX, in [XXX]. The vehicle suddenly stopped …
NHTSA complaint 11763269, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All lights on dash appear. Forward collision warning, blind spot warning, other warnings. Car loses ability to accelerate for a few moments and makes unsafe to drive. RPM needle bounces.
NHTSA complaint 11761727. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-65 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and came to a sudden stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was an issue with the water pressure cooling system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that there was no warranty coverage for the repair on the vehicle. The contact called the warranty company and informed the contact that the warranty mileage was 100,000. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the …
NHTSA complaint 11753069, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed November 17, 2025.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst