Research · Large Cars

2021 Kia K5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 169 owner complaints for the 2021 Kia K5. Most complaints involve electrical system (46) and fuel/propulsion system (44). The EPA rates it 27–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–32mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Nov 2025
Owner complaints
169
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 18, 2025NHTSA 25V794000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Mar 7, 2023NHTSA 23V149000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Oct 11, 2022NHTSA 22V760000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

169 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system46
  2. Fuel/propulsion system44
  3. Engine30
  4. Power train19
  5. Fuel system, gasoline13
  6. Service brakes10
  7. Structure10
  8. Air bags10
  9. Lane departure9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each K5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2021169
2022130
2023112
202431
202554
202614
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

46 reports2 fires
“65k miles. Started driving, 20 minutes into driving i was stopped at a round about then I went to accelerate and nothing happened my engine revd really loud and after about 10 seconds my car jolted forward and I was able to accelerate, this would happen every time I stopped and anytime a wanted to accelerate to another gear”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Power train, Electrical systemODI 11766532

Fuel/propulsion system

44 reports
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my Kia K5 because I am concerned about a potentially dangerous mechanical defect. I purchased this vehicle used from CarMax approximately two years ago. Within the first 30 days of ownership, the steering wheel began shaking. CarMax repaired the problem at no cost after ordering a replacement part. Approximately two weeks ago, the steering wheel began shaking again. The problem has now progressed to the vehicle shaking, feeling as though it is skidding or slipping, and failing to accelerate properly. The check-engine light is illuminated. I contacted Kia regarding recall SC250 and was told that my vehicle does not qualify. I am concerned because my vehicle is now experiencing symptoms that I believe warrant investigation into whether they could be related to the defect addressed by this recall. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether my vehicle may have an unresolved or related safety defect, and whether other vehicles excluded from the recall could be experiencing similar problems. I am concerned about the risk of losing acceleration while driving, potentially putting me and other motorists in danger. I can…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11770020

Engine

30 reports1 fire
“Vehicle experienced a severe engine misfire (P0302), rough running, and loss of power while driving. Dealership confirmed the Purge Control / PCV valve failed (replaced under Recall SC356 / 25V-794), but charged out-of-pocket for the Cylinder 2 ignition coil that failed as a direct result of the PCV valve failure. The Dealership replaced the Purge Control/PCV valve at this time - the recall was not resolved until this time - I wasn't even aware of this recall until this incident. This ocurred on XXX and as a result I was stranded 1500 miles from home in [XXX] (I live in [XXX] and was driving the vehicle to my son at the University of XXX in [XXX]. The car was running fine until I stopped briefly in [XXX] and when I started the car, the engine light came on and the car's engine started sputtering and losing power as I was driving. Due to the fact that I was not in the vicinity of any Kia Dealerships or any open mechanics as it was Labor Day, I somehow managed to drive the car all the way to [XXX] as this was the closest dealership (over 120 miles away from where I was when the engine light came on). Once I arrived in [XXX], I checked into a hotel. I then…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11764825
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · Automatic (AM-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
K5
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start · Front-Wheel Drive
293832$2,000277
K5
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
273731$2,050291
K5 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200312
K5
Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400332
  • K5
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start
    29 city · 38 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • K5
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI
    27 city · 37 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • K5 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • K5
    Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Kia K5 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 15137
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 K5 questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia K5 have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Kia K5 problems?

Owners filed 169 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (46), fuel/propulsion system (44), engine (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Kia K5 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Kia K5 at 27–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Kia K5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Kia K5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026