NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
125 reportsMileage unknown · Dec 23, 2022
SteeringCrashInjury
While breaking the steering wheel cut hard right, went to brake even more and the steering locked up and was unable to move properly. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It sent me into a guard ra…
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While breaking the steering wheel cut hard right, went to brake even more and the steering locked up and was unable to move properly. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It sent me into a guard rail, sprained my wrist due to the air bag Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? N/a Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Insurance Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lights. Car was repaired previously and made multiple complaints about the tightness of the steering to the repair shop and the dealership
NHTSA ODI #11498725
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2022
Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrashInjury
Client called about his car. After a exhausting analysis, we noticed that the ADA system released the brakes, causing an incident. The forward collision warning did not get activated. The car should stop automatically if it detects a possible crash or when the car it’s getting out of the road and it never happened. The main prob…
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Client called about his car. After a exhausting analysis, we noticed that the ADA system released the brakes, causing an incident. The forward collision warning did not get activated. The car should stop automatically if it detects a possible crash or when the car it’s getting out of the road and it never happened. The main problem was the airbag placed above the pedals. It’s too big and when gets deployed, can cause a fracture, mainly on the right leg of the driver.
NHTSA ODI #11497356
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
On 11/24/22 my car would not start, and I kept getting a message to check ESC- electronic stability control. I pressed the ESC button on my dashboard but nothing changed. Eventually a relative jumped off the car, bypassing the warning, so I could drive home. The car started correctly the next day and for several days after. Then…
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On 11/24/22 my car would not start, and I kept getting a message to check ESC- electronic stability control. I pressed the ESC button on my dashboard but nothing changed. Eventually a relative jumped off the car, bypassing the warning, so I could drive home. The car started correctly the next day and for several days after. Then, on 11/28/22, I got the same warning, then the car would not start. This continued through 11/29/22 at which point I had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealership. It's still there and I have not heard if this has been resolved. At one point the car also said no key detected, although the key was in my hand. Remote start would not work as well. The car has 5800 miles on it. I'm concerned that this could happen while driving the car.
NHTSA ODI #11495436
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2022
Structure
Glass between windshield and sunroof spontaneously shattered while parked in private driveway. There was no impact, the car had not been driven for two days, it was just parked and the glass busted. It is unknown if water will cause a problem with leaking into the cabin of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11487658
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2022
Exterior Lighting
Dead spot in headlights. Manufacturer intentionally created a dead spot just left of center so as to decrease any chance of headlights shining into oncoming traffic. The dead spot looks like an inverted triangle . These are an LED projector light which already have a very sharp cut off and should not require any further manipu…
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Dead spot in headlights. Manufacturer intentionally created a dead spot just left of center so as to decrease any chance of headlights shining into oncoming traffic. The dead spot looks like an inverted triangle . These are an LED projector light which already have a very sharp cut off and should not require any further manipulation of spread or throw. The problem becomes severe when going around a left curve or bend as the headlights no longer illuminate the roadway in a safe manner as the very noticeable dead spot is now in the drivers lane.
NHTSA ODI #11465182
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2022
Lane DepartureSteering
While driving this vehicle on local streets, I have noticed that when I am on terrain such as an incline going up, with a curve at the ridge, the vehicle's steering becomes hard to control. It stops as suddenly as it starts (going up and around on this certain local incline. I have not reported this to the Dealer yet. The vehicl…
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While driving this vehicle on local streets, I have noticed that when I am on terrain such as an incline going up, with a curve at the ridge, the vehicle's steering becomes hard to control. It stops as suddenly as it starts (going up and around on this certain local incline. I have not reported this to the Dealer yet. The vehicle has not been inspected since I purchased it. No warning lamps, messages etc. occurred prior to it's happening.
NHTSA ODI #11464312
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2022
Structure
My coworker and myself we on the highway, we heard a loud boom and the door swung open. I called the dealership Freddy Kia on the gulf frwy. They said they could not do anything about it, I have to call the service department. I called told the girl what happened she put me on hold after 1hr I hung up. I called again she put m…
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My coworker and myself we on the highway, we heard a loud boom and the door swung open. I called the dealership Freddy Kia on the gulf frwy. They said they could not do anything about it, I have to call the service department. I called told the girl what happened she put me on hold after 1hr I hung up. I called again she put me on hold again. I didn’t call back. I need this checked out what can I do? What if I had my grand child in the back and that door did the same. I have not even made a first payment on this vehicle. Can I return the vehicle I do not feel safe in it.
NHTSA ODI #11460599
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2022
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
2022 KIA K5 REMOTE CONTROL/ENTRY/START KEY FOB BATTERIES CONTINUALLY DYING EVERY 2-3 WEEKS. ONCE KEY IS DEAD, THE DRIVER IS LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE AND CANNOT START IT. DRIVER IS GETTING STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSTANTLY, POSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. IF VEHICLE STALLS, DRIVER CANNOT RESTART THE VEHICLE SINCE KEYT FOB IS D…
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2022 KIA K5 REMOTE CONTROL/ENTRY/START KEY FOB BATTERIES CONTINUALLY DYING EVERY 2-3 WEEKS. ONCE KEY IS DEAD, THE DRIVER IS LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE AND CANNOT START IT. DRIVER IS GETTING STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSTANTLY, POSING A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. IF VEHICLE STALLS, DRIVER CANNOT RESTART THE VEHICLE SINCE KEYT FOB IS DEAD. VEHICLE COULD THEN BE STUCK ON AN ACTIVE ROADWAY WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. KIA CANNOT FIX THE ISSUE AND HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FAILING VEHICLES.
NHTSA ODI #11457390
5,000 miles · Mar 2, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with the driver-assist feature, activated, there was another vehicle driving slower at approximately 50 MPH was in front however the vehicle's feature did not automatically decrease in speed causing the contact to rear the vehicle. The air bags did n…
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The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH with the driver-assist feature, activated, there was another vehicle driving slower at approximately 50 MPH was in front however the vehicle's feature did not automatically decrease in speed causing the contact to rear the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact had his daughter and her husband at the time of the incident where both sustained a concussion, fractured nose, and arm injuries. Both passengers were taken to the hospital. A police report was filed. The contact was unaware of the passengers in the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot due to it not being drivable. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #11454925
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
Vehicle will brake suddenly and without notice while using the adaptive cruise control option. The system believes there is a vehicle in front of the car when none is present. This is usually attributed to a vehicle exiting or when somebody passes and does not leave enough room between vehicles. The car will slow considerably …
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Vehicle will brake suddenly and without notice while using the adaptive cruise control option. The system believes there is a vehicle in front of the car when none is present. This is usually attributed to a vehicle exiting or when somebody passes and does not leave enough room between vehicles. The car will slow considerably (from 75 to 50) when this occurs and trailing vehicles will have to suddenly brake as well to avoid an accident. Discussions with the dealership have not provided any useful information. The vehicle manual illustrates how to disable ACC however nothing works.
NHTSA ODI #11453002
Official recalls
5Nov 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 & remedy
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.
Mar 7, 2023
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 & remedy
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.
Oct 11, 2022
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 & remedy
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.
Jul 8, 2021
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 & remedy
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.
Jun 14, 2021
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist
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.
Steering
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗