Kia K5 transmission problems
31 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
485 owner complaints analyzed
9 distinct recall campaigns
31,539 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
31 of 485 complaints match this topic (6.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
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 ↗
Owner report 11515090 · 2023-04-03 (April 3, 2023)
My vehicle has been experiencing shifting delays when accelerating. Often times when I stop accelerating my vehicle has a delay and remains revved up for a few seconds before the RPM's go back down. The sluggish/delayed acceleration presents a safety issue when the vehicle is not operating as it should. This issue has been occurring for about 6 months. I informed the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and have the routine maintenance done and they say there are no issues reported about the issues I have been having. I addressed the issue …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539634 · 2023-08-20 (August 20, 2023)
Very bad transmission slip during acceleration from stop and at highway speed
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539634 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11663031 · 2025-05-27 (May 27, 2025)
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, while the transmission was shifting gear, the vehicle started sputtering and jerking. The contact stated that the failure occurred while shifting from 1st gear to 2nd gear, and from 2nd gear to 3rd gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle with an erratic gear shift with a grinding sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11663031 at NHTSA ↗