2025 Kia K5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
4,358 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 51 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 7.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 7.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.9% |
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 | 11 |
| Tires | 11 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Electrical System: 11; Tires: 11; Power Train: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5; Wheels: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 46 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 23 |
2024: 5; 2025: 23; 2026: 23
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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 11663973 · 2025-05-30 (May 30, 2025)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K5. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the front headlights, rear brake lights, and interior cabin lights illuminated very bright. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced prior to the recurring failure by the same local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failur…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11663973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11673235 · 2025-07-14 (July 14, 2025)
Third time that this happened when I step on the gas you're accelerate the transmission wines when I'm trying to merge I have to slow the car down and take my foot off the accelerator and then when I put my foot on the celebrator there's a car really close to me
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11673235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11630533 · 2024-12-13 (December 13, 2024)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K5. The contact stated that the engine made an abnormally loud sound while driving and idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the tensioner and the pulley were worn out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated while driving 55 MPH six days later, the service, the battery, the low-pressure oil warning lights, and several other unknown warning lights were …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 11630533 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11624123 · 2024-11-08 (November 8, 2024)
Battery keeps dying even after replacement. I would drive it then park it overnight and the next day it would dead. this put my safety at risk because at any time my car could die and I wouldn’t know until I sat in it. I would then have to figure out what to do next since the last 3 times it has died i was stuck with important work to do. There were no warnings or symptoms that first appeared. We have taken it to the dealership and they replaced the battery, but it has died again even after battery replacement.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11624123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11687606 · 2025-09-16 (September 16, 2025)
Tire size: P 235/45 R 18 While I was driving home from work my steering started feeling a little shaky. My commute is 6.5 miles. I thought it felt a little weird about 2-3 miles in and I called my boyfriend to meet me when I got home because I could tell something was off, but my tire pressure was fine. When I was about .5 miles from our home, the shaking became audible and violent so I got scared and pulled off. I called again for help while I was parked and walked around to see if there was anything weird and I could not see anything. About 3…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11687606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11725390 · 2026-03-18 (March 18, 2026)
Shortly after a routine oil change performed at a Kia dealership, I discovered a significant oil leak underneath the vehicle the following day. Within a short period of time, the vehicle began experiencing engine-related issues including a cylinder misfire, noticeable shaking while driving, and loss of power, particularly when accelerating or driving on inclines. The vehicle also displayed a check engine light and a warning related to 12-volt battery drain. In addition, I noticed a strong burning odor coming from the engine area, which raised …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11725390 at NHTSA ↗