2021 Kia K5 recalls (6)

Every 2021 Kia K5 recall

Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.

• Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 25V794000

  Nov 17, 2025Fuel System, Gasoline

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 25V794000 →

• Air Bags · NHTSA 23V149000

  Jul 3, 2023Air Bags:Side/Window:Curtain

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

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

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 23V149000 →

• Power Train · NHTSA 22V760000

  Nov 10, 2022Power Train:Automatic Transmission

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 22V760000 →

• Air Bags · NHTSA 21V164000

  Nov 3, 2021Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

  Problem

  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."

  Risk

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 21V164000 →

• Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 21V519000

  Aug 7, 2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 21V519000 →

• Lane Departure · NHTSA 21V447000

  Jun 14, 2021Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

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

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 21V447000 →

2021 Kia K5 complaints and service bulletins

Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia K5, reporting 8 crashes, 2 fires, 7 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 134 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.

Most-reported components

• Electrical System46
• Fuel/Propulsion System43
• Unknown Or Other32
• Engine29
• Power Train18
• Fuel System, Gasoline13

Service bulletins by component

• Electrical System (81)
• Equipment (20)
• Engine and Engine Cooling (18)
• Power Train (18)
• Fuel/Propulsion System (13)
• Structure (13)

Read Kia K5 owner complaints and bulletins, every year

Other Kia K5 model years

2022 Kia K5 →

• 2026 (1)
• 2025 (2)
• 2024 (2)
• 2023 (4)
• 2022 (5)
• 2021 (6)

All Kia K5 recalls, every model year