Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

14 reports

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17,857 miles · Feb 21, 2025

Fuel System, GasolineInjury

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH in hot weather, a loud popping sound came from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact coasted into a ditch and inspected the vehicle, but no exterior damage was found. The vehicle was restarted and driven to a gas station. The check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The failure persisted and the fuel gauge level dropped while driving. The contact pulled over and placed a bag under the vehicle to check for fuel leaks, but found none. The contact stated that the vehicle failed state vehicle inspection due to an unknown emission code. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who performed an oil change and updated the computer system. The failure recurred while driving with three minor children in the rear seats. The fuel tank made a loud explosion, and the rear seats propped up, pushing the children forward while the seat belts restrained them in their seats. The child seated in the rear passenger seat received medical attention for injuries to the back of his legs caused by hot fuel fumes from underneath the seat, as well as black specks stuck on his legs. The contact's husband opened the fuel tank, and loud air pressure was released. The fuel tank was bubbling. The vehicle was towed to Classic Kia of Carrollton (2920 N Interstate 35E, Carrollton, TX 75007), who determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced and requested that the manufacturer send an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the third dealer, Huffines Kia Corinth (6940 S Interstate 35, Corinth, TX 76210), where an engineer determined the vehicle was non-repairable due to the fuel tank expanding in multiple locations and bending the sub-frame. The contact was informed that the fuel tank was manufactured without a pressure release valve. The vehicle was not repaired. Up

NHTSA ODI #11644189

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2024

Fuel System, Gasoline

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The contact owned a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while her son and daughter-in-law were driving, three loud bangs were heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected; however, no cause for the banging sounds were found. The vehicle was then taken to a gas station to be inspected, but no cause for the sounds were found. The contact’s son then added fuel to the vehicle, but the fuel spilled from the filler neck. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that the gas tank had expanded and damaged a part underneath of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to be inspected after being deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11628798

270,000 miles · Aug 14, 2024

Fuel System, Gasoline

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud ticking sound coming from the fuel tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as a failure with fuel tank expansion. The contact was contact informed that the fuel tank expansion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

NHTSA ODI #11608513

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2023

Fuel System, Gasoline

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated the vehicle was previously taken to a dealer a month prior, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11553391

Official recalls

25V794000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Nov 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.

25V493000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars; Structure:exterior Trim

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Structure:exterior Trim

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.

Structure:body:roof And Pillars

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.

23V149000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

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.

22V760000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.