VehicleVerdict

2021 Kia K5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 237 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median K5 year — the 2021 model ranks #1 of 6 K5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (46), electrical system (43), and other (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

237

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

1

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other K5 years?

K5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted237 complaints2021: 237 complaints2022: 205 complaints2023: 138 complaints2024: 37 complaints2025: 63 complaints2026: 14 complaints
K5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all K5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Kia K5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System4619%
Electrical System4318%
Other3113%
Engine2812%
Driver Assistance229%
Transmission167%
Airbags104%
Brakes94%
Body & Structure94%
Steering73%
Seats73%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Lighting31%
Speed Control21%

Does the 2021 Kia K5 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V794000Fuel SystemNovember 17, 2025 · 250,547 units

Defect

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.

23V149000AirbagsMarch 7, 2023 · 188,912 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.

Consequence

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC263.

22V760000TransmissionOctober 11, 2022 · 69,038 units

Defect

Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

Consequence

Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

21V519000Fuel SystemJuly 8, 2021 · 21,575 units

Defect

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

Consequence

A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.

21V447000Driver AssistanceJune 14, 2021 · 846 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.

Consequence

A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.

21V164000AirbagsMarch 11, 2021 · 142 units

Defect

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HVAC is not working at all, not even blowing hot air. I've been told it could be a wiring issue or have to change my blower and resistor. KIA has told me they could not help because my car is over the 60,000 mile warranty. However, my car is 70,000 miles and about 4 years old. It has had other…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 6, 2025

“VEHICLE WAS STOPPED A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY CUT OFF. SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LESS THAN 1 MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES (ALL HIGHWAY) FROM HOME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 13, 2021 · fire

“I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN MY PATH, AND I BROADSIDED HIS VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE OF MY SPEED AT IMPACT. I WOULD GUESS 30 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ALSO CAME UNLATCHED, FOLDING ITSELF DOWN. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 1, 2021 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS STOPPED A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET WHEN SUDDENLY CUT OFF. SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. LESS THAN 1 MINUTE LATER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY INVOLVED UNDER THE HOOD OF CAR. CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. VEHICLE HAD JUST BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES (ALL HIGHWAY) FROM HOME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 13, 2021 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 12, 2021 · crash

2021 Kia K5 — common questions

Is the 2021 Kia K5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 237 complaints put the 2021 model at #1 of 6 K5 years. It is one of the K5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 K5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (46 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints), other (31 complaints).

Does the 2021 Kia K5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Kia K5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia K5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the K5 years to avoid are 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among K5 years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2021 Kia K5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Kia K5 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.