2022 Kia K5

My 2022 Kia K5 EX has a serious fuel-system safety defect involving fuel tank expansion, which caused rear seat pan deformation and rear seat strap deformation. Kia America’s engineering review confirmed this in their findings. The fuel tank expansion caused the rear seat to lift/warp from underneath, creating a risk of fuel leakage, fire, and structural failure in a crash. This is a significant safety concern for occupants and the public. Kia America acknowledged this safety defect in a letter dated October 15, 2025 and stated it is “consistent with the fuel tank expansion condition.” They offered to repurchase the vehicle due to this safety issue. (Letter attached.) Because of this defect, my vehicle has been out of service for 78 days and is not safe to drive. I use this vehicle as my primary source of income for full-time rideshare work, which has caused severe loss of income. Due to the extended loss of use and financial hardship, I am now at risk of repossession, even though the vehicle is unsafe because of a manufacturer-confirmed defect. Despite Kia acknowledging the defect, no recall has been issued, which raises concern that other drivers may still be using potentially unsafe vehicles. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this defect for potential recall action.

The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV), resulting in damage and fuel tank expansion. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Service Campaign: SC288. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was offered a buyback, but refused the buyback. The failure mileage was 81,000.

While driving my 2022 Kia K5 LXS, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost acceleration. The check-engine light came on, showing code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). The issue caused unsafe driving conditions, especially with my child in the car. Kia Roseville incorrectly documented the repair, while Kia Folsom later confirmed the issue was engine-related. The vehicle has also been subject to fuel tank expansion concerns under recalls SC288 and SC288A, which can create additional fire risk and pressure issues. Despite repairs, I still experience safety fears and severe loss of vehicle value due to these recurring defects and poor documentation. Kia America has not provided a resolution.

While driving on the highway under normal weather conditions and at the speed limit at approx 50 MPH a loud explosion like a gun shot was heard through the car. The sound of broken glass and wind could be heard; however, there was no collision or object that struck the vehicle in any way. Glass began dropping through the sun shade area and upon pulling over and further inspection the sunroof appears to have exploded outward as all the glass was bent in an upward direction. The vehicle is currently awaiting assessment at the dealership. There was no warning of any kind. It was just a spontaneous explosion. It is my understanding that this has been a problem in some vehicles and many different manufacturers and other companies have recalled their cars however Kia has not.

I noticed my car jerking from a stopped position a few months back it wasn’t consistent but it happened I figured it was just a powerful motor however last on October 7th I was driving down the street to go to the dealership and my car lost power I had to pull over my son was panicking he’s just little and I sat there and luckily it started after a few minutes and I went to the dealership and they blew me off saying it has electrical issues. WELL I went to Oreillys and they tested my battery it was good but only getting 10 % charge to it which he said was odd so he said to try and drive it some and come back he wlll see where it’s at. I did that and he said oh wow you’re back up to 100%! Well that was the 7th now last night I’m driving around Tallmadge ave and BOOM everything lit up I lost power steering my lights shut off completely and it was close to midnight! It was insane I am luckily a very good driver because I almost went right off the road!

I was driving my car and heard a loud pop, I was on the interstate and thought maybe my tire was going flat but nothing alerted me on my dash. I heard loud wind noises but everything seemed fine until my car started basically hopping forward and it became hard to accelerate. I had to push the gas harder than normal to maintain average highway speeds. I was also feeling super lightheaded while driving and kept rolling my window down as if I couldn’t get a full breath of air. I would roll it back up after 5 minutes or so and would have to roll it right back down. I was driving a long distance and wasn’t able to immediately stop but I was informed of the gasoline fumes when I family member helped get my bags out of my car. It was the scariest thing

The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear seat started to rise independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's husband was sitting on the rear seat. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle was refueled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an expanded fuel tank. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the repair had taken three weeks. The vehicle was returned to the contact. The contact stated that two weeks later, the manufacturer began sending emails to the contact, which stated that the vehicle was under recall. The contact was advised to park and not drive the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle remained at the dealer for two additional months. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was non-repairable. The contact had not received an offer for a replacement vehicle and the contact was still required to continue monthly payments. In addition, the contact was concerned because her husband had been driving an unsafe vehicle for two weeks after the repair was performed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

I took my car because of fuel recall, due to multiple vehicles having their gas tank expanding or exploding. Even after they completed the recall on my vehicle I still had my gas tank expand. I took my vehicle to the Kia Frisco dealership and they took my vehicle advising they had to buy it back from me. Once they had the vehicle after close to a month they stated that my vehicle was repairable even after stating that several of these models had gas tanks expanding and exploding. I do not feel safe getting into this vehicle after the repair and I want to report it.