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NHTSA-Verified · Common Problems

2021 Kia K5
Common Problems

Ranked from 43 federal NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

5
High severity
5
Medium
1
Low

11 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Blower Motor and Harness Issues

    12complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    The blower motor and associated wiring harness frequently fail, causing intermittent operation of the air conditioning and defrost systems.

    $250–$550est. blower motor replacement · 1–2.5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  2. 2

    Fuel Tank Expansion and Rear Seat Raising

    9complaints
    High severityFuel system

    The fuel tank expands during driving, causing the rear seat to rise and potentially leading to a loss of control.

    $300–$1,200est. fuel line/tank repair · 2–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recalls: 21V519000, 25V794000

  3. 3

    Severe Stalling and Loss of Power

    6complaints
    High severityFuel system

    The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power, making it unsafe to drive.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recalls: 21V519000, 25V794000

  4. 4

    Steering Wheel Malfunction

    6complaints
    Medium severitySteering

    The steering wheel becomes stiff and hard to turn, often accompanied by warning lights.

    Related recall: 21V447000

  5. 5

    Air Conditioning Failure

    4complaints
    Low severityElectrical

    The air conditioning system fails, leading to improper cooling and loss of functionality.

    $800–$1,600est. a/c compressor replacement · 3–6 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Fuel Odor in Cabin

    4complaints
    Medium severityFuel system

    Fuel odor enters the cabin, indicating a possible fuel leak or contamination issue.

    Related recalls: 21V519000, 25V794000

  7. 7

    Unreliable Recalls and Repairs

    4complaints
    Medium severityOther

    Recall issues and repairs are unreliable, leading to unresolved safety concerns.

  8. 8

    Airbag Deployment Failure During High-Speed Collision

    2complaints
    High severityElectrical

    Airbags fail to deploy during a high-speed collision, increasing injury risk.

  9. 9

    Electrical System Issues Causing Safety Features to Fail

    2complaints
    Medium severityElectrical

    Safety features such as ABS, traction control, and forward collision avoidance fail due to electrical system issues.

  10. 10

    Electrical Wiring Harness Melting

    2complaints
    High severityElectrical

    The main body wiring harness melts, posing a fire hazard and requiring a complete replacement of the wiring and fuse box.

    $300–$1,500est. wiring harness repair · 2–8 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  11. 11

    Transmission Failure Causing Complete Loss of Power

    2complaints
    High severityTransmission

    The transmission fails, causing complete loss of power and requiring multiple repairs.

    $2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

    Related recall: 22V760000

Other years & sources

2023 Kia K5All NHTSA complaints for this vehicle →

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.