Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Kia K5
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Kia K5 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 170 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V794000 Fuel Tank May Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V149000 Side Curtain Air Bags May Not Deploy Properly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V760000 Loss of Drive Power NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V519000 Fuel Leak at Pipe Connection NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V447000 Steering Assist Level May Not Adjust Properly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V164000 Occupant Detection System Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 46 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 45 complaints
- Unknown or Other 33 complaints
- Engine 30 complaints
- Power Train 19 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 13 complaints
Of the 170 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 170 complaints, owners report 7 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Kia K5 shows an average reliability outlook. With 169 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns, the most significant issues are related to the electrical and fuel systems. However, the complaint volume remains moderate, suggesting these issues aren't widespread yet.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | Unknown | $200–$800 | occasional |
| Fuel system | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations
- Brake inspections
- Air filter replacements
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fuel smell in cabin
- Electrical malfunctions
- Check engine light
- Steering issues
- Airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Kia K5 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.