2023 Kia K5 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: July 31, 2026 · Filed: October 30, 2026

1) GAS TANK 2) I WAS STRANDED IN THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE THE GAS PUMP EXPLODED 3)THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4) NO WARNING SIGN

Incident: October 27, 2026 · Filed: October 27, 2026

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.

Incident: October 19, 2026 · Filed: October 19, 2026

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.

Incident: April 8, 2025 · Filed: October 19, 2026

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 feel it and sent me home with my vehicle. The vehicle stops accelerating all together in the middle of traffic, shudders when trying to speed up, sounds like and feels like the entire engine is going to drop out of the car to the floor. You can feel the gears slip. Even though it is more infrequent now, it still happens and I am afraid to drive my car.

Incident: September 29, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

I am filing this complaint regarding the handling of a fuel tank recall involving my 2023 Kia K5 GT-Line. On XXX, I brought my vehicle to Kia Rockwall in [XXX], after being informed of an issue related to a fuel tank recall. I was told that my vehicle could not be returned to me and that Kia would pursue a buyback instead. Before this incident, I had spent approximately $1,200 on repairs related to the issue, including replacing the charcoal canister. These repairs occurred the previous month. I am concerned about the circumstances surrounding the defect, the expenses I incurred attempting to address the problem, and the handling of the vehicle once it was brought in for the recall. I was initially told that a case manager would assist with arrangements. On XXX, a case manager contacted me, and I explained I could not afford to pay for a rental vehicle out of pocket. I was subsequently informed that I would need to pay for a rental through Enterprise and seek reimbursement from Kia. I explained again that this was not financially possible. On XXX, I received a further response, and Kia America ultimately stated that if I could not rent a vehicle under its specified conditions or pay for one out of pocket, it would not provide a rental. As of XXX, I remain without my vehicle and without a transportation arrangement that I can afford. I am requesting that NHTSA review the safety defect and recall associated with my vehicle, including whether the recall remedy and handling of affected vehicles are adequate and whether the circumstances warrant further review. I would also like my experience documented as part of the broader record of complaints concerning this recall. I can provide repair receipts, dealership communications, and correspondence with Kia America to support the timeline above. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: September 13, 2026 · Filed: September 17, 2026

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 outside of the dealerships I have taken it to.

Incident: August 19, 2026 · Filed: August 31, 2026

The contact’s son owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated the vehicle was previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the vehicle was repaired. A day or two after the recall repair was completed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel tank could expand and explode. The contact was informed that the fuel tank and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that after driving 10 miles after the vehicle was repaired, the check engine warning light illuminated again. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, and similar fault codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired after the latest failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Incident: August 31, 2026 · Filed: August 31, 2026

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.

Incident: May 31, 2026 · Filed: August 6, 2026

The infotainment system in my Kia K5 has failed completely. The screen went black, causing the radio, infotainment features, and backup camera display to stop functioning. At times, the system will attempt to reboot on its own, but it does not return to normal operation and continues to malfunction. I have attempted to reset the system multiple times using the available reset methods, but none have resolved the issue. I took the vehicle to my local Kia dealership, where I was informed that the radio/infotainment unit itself is defective and needs to be replaced. The loss of the backup camera display is particularly concerning because it affects visibility and safety while reversing. I have also found numerous reports of similar infotainment and radio failures involving Kia vehicles, which makes me concerned that this may be a widespread defect rather than an isolated failure. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed and investigated as a potential vehicle defect.

Incident: July 28, 2026 · Filed: July 31, 2026

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Fuel pump, fuel tank and valve check. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? SEE PHOTO. on turnpike 95. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Confirmed by the dealer yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Bev smith KIA sent my info to KIA America when they saw it. SEE PHOTO. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? It blew up on me.