2024 Kia K5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
12,780 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2024 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 29 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 17.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 9 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Engine: 9; Structure:Body: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Electrical System: 5; Power Train: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (4). 24 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2023: 2; 2024: 9; 2025: 7; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11558418 · 2023-12-04 (December 4, 2023)
The contact owned a 2024 Kia K5. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle abruptly crossed into his lane. As a result, the contact's son collided with the rear of the other vehicle. Although equipped, the forward warning collision and automatic emergency braking systems failed to activate, which could have possibly prevented and/or lessened the severity of the collision. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The conta…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11558418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559483 · 2023-12-11 (December 11, 2023)
I purchased a brand new 2024 kia k5 gt on September 2 2023; from kia of Cerritos "18201 Studebaker Rd, Cerritos, CA 90703" . My car has noticeable defects that affect the driving experience and can be dangerous. When coming to a stop the engine turns off as if it was deactivating one or more of my cylinders. While that happens it stalls the car. My adaptive cruise control doesn't work as intended since it came damaged from the manufacturer, while driving with the adaptive cruise control on the vehicle requires more input to maneuver. The vehicl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559483 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11565957 · 2024-01-17 (January 17, 2024)
After driving the car for approximately 30 minutes at freeway speeds I exited the freeway at my off-ramp and being driving on Surface streets. Suddenly several alerts started appearing on the screen of my car. That was followed by the engine revving up and down on its own without me touching the accelerator. When I arrived at a stoplight the engine was idling but revving slightly up and down. When the light changed I pressed accelerator and the engine never exceeded idle speed so I basically idled my way across the intersection and pulled over …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11565957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11570035 · 2024-02-05 (February 5, 2024)
Break caliper and brake rotors
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11570035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11570396 · 2024-02-06 (February 6, 2024)
Per SA552 for earlier models, the rear trunk lid trim has become detached due to insufficient lamination. Please extend to later models.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11570396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582181 · 2024-04-10 (April 10, 2024)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed a failure with the throttle body. The vehicl…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11582181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11587108 · 2024-05-06 (May 6, 2024)
While driving in a utility work area on 5/3/24, there was a worker placing cones to redirect traffic. Since he was very close to the travel lane, I proceeded very slowly While placing a cone, the worker got to within a few inches of the passenger side of my vehicle. This set off a warning in my car that something (or someone) was very close. After exiting the work area, I tried to accelerate, but I was unable to. I estimate the car was going no more than 5 mph. Fortunately, there was no car behind me or coming toward me, and I was able to…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11587108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11603023 · 2024-07-17 (July 17, 2024)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,780.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,780 miles reported. Look up ODI 11603023 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V493000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | Structure:Exterior Trim
Reported: 2025-07-28 (July 28, 2025)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Consequence: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC346.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V794000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2025-11-17 (November 17, 2025)
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.
Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗