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.
Research · Large Cars
2023 Kia K5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 110 owner complaints for the 2023 Kia K5. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (41) and fuel system, gasoline (14). The EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
27–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Nov 2025
Owner complaints
110
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Structure: roof and pillars
Free remedy
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
110 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2022 – Oct 2026
- Fuel/propulsion system41
- Fuel system, gasoline14
- Structure14
- Engine13
- Power train11
- Electrical system6
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Service brakes6
- Seats5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Fuel/propulsion system
41 reports
“Fuel Tank has expanded and is in danger of exploding due to heat from exhaust system. My vehicle has been returned to a local dealer and Kia Corporate is willing to pay off my loan , but not compensate me for my down payment of $3500 that I put down 6 mths ago.”
Fuel system, gasoline
14 reports
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the recall repair was completed and the contact was provided a receipt. However, the contact later received several email recall notifications and verified that the VIN remained included in the recall three months after the repair. The dealer was contacted several times and eventually informed the contact that the recall repair had not been completed. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Structure
14 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the front splash guard had detached from the vehicle following a night of driving in the rain. The contact stated that the failure had occurred without impact. Upon inspection, the dealer informed the contact that the repair would not be covered under warranty and provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided with a case number. The failure mileage was 54,269.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 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 28, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K5 Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 37 | 31 | $2,050 | 293 |
| K5 AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,300 | 316 |
| K5 Auto (AM-S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,400 | 332 |
- 31mpg comb.
- 28mpg comb.
- 27mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Kia K5 4 DR AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.7%
Overall
5 / 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2023 K5 questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia K5 have?
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 2023 Kia K5 problems?
Owners filed 110 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (41), fuel system, gasoline (14), structure (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2023 Kia K5 get?
The EPA rates the 2023 Kia K5 at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
How safe is the 2023 Kia K5?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Kia K5 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026