2021 Kia K5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
164 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 44 of 164 complaints (26.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 37 | 22.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 10.4% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 5.5% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 44 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 41 |
| Unknown Or Other | 32 |
| Engine | 28 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 9 |
Electrical System: 44; Fuel/Propulsion System: 41; Unknown Or Other: 32; Engine: 28; Power Train: 17; Fuel System, Gasoline: 12; Air Bags: 10; Service Brakes: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 133 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 37 |
2020: 3; 2021: 13; 2022: 19; 2023: 15; 2024: 32; 2025: 45; 2026: 37
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 37 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11430639 · 2021-08-26 (August 26, 2021)
When filling up the gas tank on 3 separate occasions the station pump failed to cut off causing fuel to leak unto the surrounding surface. The Kia K 5 is leased vehicle that I entered into contract in July 2021. The car was used as a demo and I find it suspicious that the dealership wasn’t aware of the issue. The dealership is replacing the gas tank at no cost to me.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11508811 · 2023-02-23 (February 23, 2023)
One day I was driving my car when suddenly I heard a loud explosion sound from the back. I continued to drive the car until I could pull over to inspect the car. In the midst of pulling the car over I began smelling a strong odor of gas in the cabin of the car. Prior to stopping the car started skipping and missing badly. I pulled over checked the car and discovered something malfunctioned and caused the rear seat to pop up and be bent from the frame. I proceeded to look under the seat and saw where what appeared to be the fuel pump almost popp…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478854 · 2022-08-11 (August 11, 2022)
The front seats electrical adjustments do not work properly, I have had ir switch mid drive and stying to adjust them is a hassle. They do not work properly.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11597194 · 2024-06-27 (June 27, 2024)
nspected blower fuse 40A at E/R Junction block and found multi fuse & E/R Junction block melting Need replacement multi fuse and wiring repair at E/R Junction block Service adviser recommends performing repair which is a known issue for Kia, because the electrical short could create a fire The AC stopped working, got it repaired and within a month it failed again, took it to dealership and they said it was a known issue, but not a safety recall.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11597194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399278 · 2021-03-05 (March 5, 2021)
I WAS TRAVELING 45 MPH IN MY 2021 K5 GT LINE WHEN AN OLDER TOYOTA CAMRY CROSSED MY PATH. I APPLIED BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO AVOIDING THE COLLISION. I BROADSIDED THE CAMRY AT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH. I SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH KNEES, NECK AND BACK. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. POLICE, WRECKER DRIVER AND BODY SHOP (IN THIER PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES) ALL SAY THEY ARE SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT TRIGGERED BEING THE FACT IT WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION. ANOTHER CONCERN IS THE FOLDING SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE FREE OF THE LATCH AND FOLDED I…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399278 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432865 · 2021-09-14 (September 14, 2021)
I was driving 35 mph with nobody in front of or behind me and the car slammed on automatic braking for no reason, stopping me in the middle of the road.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11542529 · 2023-09-04 (September 4, 2023)
Loss of power. Check engine light came on
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11542529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11675207 · 2025-07-21 (July 21, 2025)
My fuel tank expanded while I was driving on the highway, causing my car to stall and would not respond to me pushing on the gas. I pulled over on the side of the highway and looked back and saw my rear seats were pushed up. Got it towed to the Kia dealership and they informed me that my car was totaled because the gas tank expanded so much it bent my frame. This has been an ongoing issue with Kia/Hyundai vehicles but they have still not issued a formal recall, only a voluntary callback even though this is a very dangerous defect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11675207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440906 · 2021-11-18 (November 18, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 5-10 MPH and making a turn on a road with no lanes, the steering wheel inadvertently started shuddering and became rigid, causing the contact's daughter to lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle crashed into a construction dumpster. An unknown warning message illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Then, the vehicle was …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11440906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11490627 · 2022-10-24 (October 24, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel failed to turn in either direction. Additionally, during the failure several unknown warning lights were displayed. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the failure self-corrected on several occasions. Recently, the failure failed to self-correct and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. While the vehicle was at the dealer, the mechanic experienced the failure but was unable to determine…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11490627 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385251 · 2020-12-28 (December 28, 2020)
TRANSMISSION REQUIRES TOTAL REPLACEMENT WITHIN 5 DAYS OF PURCHASE OF NEW CAR. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK WAS DISCOVERED. IT WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHICH IS NEARBY, BUT THIS EXPERIENCE HAS SHAKEN OUR FAITH IN THE SAFETY AND BUILD QUALITY OF THIS 2021 KIA K5 GT-LINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 298 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11488885 · 2022-10-12 (October 12, 2022)
1. Car has completely lost power during normal driving. Transmission failure. Loss of Motive power. It is available for inspection upon request 2. Car lost all motive power while on the highway, car had to coast to a stop. This was very dangerous. 3. Car was taken to the Kia dealership, diagnosed by their techs, and transmission replaced. This has occurred two times since the car was purchased new. First at 4,600 miles (6/13/2021) , second at 16,600 miles (9/7/2022). Both times dealership replaced the transmission 4. Both times this occurred…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11488885 at NHTSA ↗