2025 Kia K5: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11607207 · 2024-08-08 (August 8, 2024)
While driving on a rural road, a cow ran in front of my vehicle and I collided with it. The car was towed to a repair shop and the estimated cost of repairs was $15,000. The impact was on the front corner of the drivers side of the vehicle. No airbags deployed. It seems to me that with the violence and location of the impact that some airbags should’ve deployed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11607207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11613356 · 2024-09-08 (September 8, 2024)
TPMS malfunction light came on around 7-3-24. Took car in for repair, they fixed it. (Said something was unplugged) Today 9-8-24 light came back on, 3125 miles. I will be take it car in this week.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11613356 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 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 11631165 · 2024-12-17 (December 17, 2024)
While cruising at approximately 40 mph on a surface street, the car lost all power, completely shutting down. After rolling for two seconds it turned back on.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11631165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11647987 · 2025-03-12 (March 12, 2025)
I had plenty of time to pull onto a perpendicular street. While accelerating the car would not shift to next gear. It hit about 4.2 rpm and still did not shift. I was almost hit!!!! After pulIing over to safety, I ensured it was not in manual mode. Started driving again and It wouldn’t go more than like 20 mph. I pulled over a second time and shut it off. Started it up again and it worked fine. 603 miles on this car. Kia is not interested in quality it seems.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11647987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11650919 · 2025-03-26 (March 26, 2025)
tire size 235/45 R18. Both front tires at 7,300 miles suddenly have bulging out of the side wall. One tire bulge the size of a golf ball, the other tire slightly larger in size. No warnings or inflation issues prior to failure. Severe safety risk. Risk of blowout is high. Car not drivable due to risk of blowout. Contacted Pirelli the manufacturer, was told both tires are to be sent to them for inspection by the dealership. Pirelli customer service indicated the issue will likely not be covered under warranty.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11650919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11658417 · 2025-05-02 (May 2, 2025)
I believe my cars GPS system is having issues where it thinks I’m on the wrong side of the road and proceeds to reducing my speed so I can no longer accelerate. I receive the do not enter traffic sign on my dash.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11658417 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.
25V351000 · Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software
Reported: 2025-05-27 (May 27, 2025)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V493000 · Structure:Exterior Trim | Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
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 ↗