Problems · NHTSA complaints
2023 Kia K5 problems
Owners filed 112 complaints about the 2023 Kia K5 with NHTSA between Oct 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (41).
Complaints
112
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system41
- Fuel system, gasoline15
- Structure14
- Engine13
- Power train11
- Electrical system6
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Service brakes6
- Seats5
- Air bags4
- Suspension2
- Lane departure2
- Visibility2
- Vehicle speed control2
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 Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
15
19
38
37
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 15 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 38 |
| 2026 | 37 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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
15 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). While driving approximately 45 - 50 MPH, the vehicle shook violently, went into LIMP Mode, and failed to accelerate above 10 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the fuel rail sensor was replaced. However, the fuel tank became deformed and bent the subframe, which the dealer deemed unrepairable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.”
Structure
14 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
Engine
13 reports
“I bought a 2023 Kia K5 GT vehicle as a CERTIFIED PREOWNED from Rick Case KIA Sunrise, FL. I paid $30,000.00 + an extended warranty for about $4,000.00, traded in my vehicle (for $9,000.00) and put a down payment of $5,000.00. Within two days of buying the vehicle in April of 2025 my car was back at the dealership in the service department for transmission issues. My vehicle has had 4 total transmissions and it is 3 years old (original transmission, 3 replacement transmissions). SHOCKER - it is STILL having transmission problems. I have NEVER had a good drive in this vehicle. I filed a request for a buy back with Kia Customer Care and they told me I did not meet the requirements. My car has been in the dealerships service centers 9 times due to transmission issues that continue arrising since I bought the vehicle about a year and a half ago. Kia Customer Care stated the only option was to open a "tech line" with Kia from the dealership directly so again I dropped my car off for over a week and they could not replicate the issue to start the tech line. I took a 45 minute test drive with the manager and duplicated it twice but the manager stated they could not…”
Power train
11 reports1 related recall
“While driving at about 70 MPH the right rear tire locked up temporarily causing loss of control of the vehicle. Luckily there were not other cars around as the car was in 3 lanes prior to coming to a complete stop. If this happened in traffic it could have caused a significant accident. There were no warning lamps on dash before or after the incident. After inspecting vehicle on side of road I could not see any issues. Drove about 15 yards and heard a grinding noise. Vehicle was towed to dealership. Dealership has inspected vehicle and advised it was caused by a failed awd coupler. The repair will be covered by warranty.”
Electrical system
6 reports
“My 2023 Kia K5 GT has an intermittent and unpredictable audio defect which the vehicle suddenly and spontaneously produces an extremely loud static-like noise through all speakers in the car, immediately upon starting the vehicle. This is not related to the radio, car play, phone connection, weather, etc. Adjusting the volume dial does not effect the issue either, for example. Shutting the car off, stops it momentarily, but will return upon starting it. The only way to stop the issue is to either disconnect the battery or pull the main fuse to the dash, resetting the car. The issue has been occurring for 3 years. With multiple videos of the issue happening. The noise is loud enough to cause medical damage, especially to a child or infant. This will put my newborn infant at risk of medical damage to her ears due to the decibel of the issue which is a safety issue. Kia of Greer South Carolina, has had the vehicle on numerous occasions and not been able to fix the car or made any attempts to fix the issue. I have escalated a case with Kia North America customer care due to the nature of it being a safety concern. No one has inspected the vehicle at this time…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.