Kia K5 Recalls

NHTSA has issued 9 safety recalls for the Kia K5, covering model years 2021 through 2026. Fuel system faults account for 2 of them, more than any other part of the vehicle. The 2021 model year has the most, with 6 separate campaigns against it. The largest single recall covered 250,547 vehicles. The most recent was reported to NHTSA on January 26, 2026.

Total recalls: 9
Model years affected: 6
Most recalled part: Fuel system
Latest recall: 2026

Kia K5 recalls by model year

How many campaigns were issued against each model year. One recall often covers several years at once, so these add up to more than the 9 total.

20261 recall20252 recalls20242 recalls20234 recalls20225 recalls20216 recalls

All Kia K5 recalls

Each entry is an official NHTSA campaign, shown with the defect, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them, newest first.

26V046000Electrical systemReported January 26, 2026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Model years affected: 2026

The problem

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

What can happen

An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.

The fix

The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

Vehicles affected: 42,677
Maker's recall no.: SC361
Owners notified: March 13, 2026
Safety standard: FMVSS 101

Read campaign 26V046000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

25V794000Fuel systemReported November 17, 2025

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Model years affected: 2021–2024

The problem

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.

What can happen

A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix

Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC356. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 1, 2025.

Vehicles affected: 250,547
Maker's recall no.: SC356
Owners notified: January 16, 2026

Read campaign 25V794000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

25V493000StructureReported July 28, 2025

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Model years affected: 2023–2025

The problem

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.

What can happen

Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC346.

Vehicles affected: 100,063
Maker's recall no.: SC346
Owners notified: November 21, 2025

Read campaign 25V493000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

25V351000Exterior lightingReported May 27, 2025

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Model years affected: 2025

The problem

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What can happen

Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix

The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.

Vehicles affected: 82,281
Maker's recall no.: SC341
Owners notified: June 24, 2025
Safety standard: FMVSS 108

Read campaign 25V351000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

23V149000AirbagReported March 7, 2023

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Model years affected: 2021–2023

The problem

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.

What can happen

Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix

Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC263.

Vehicles affected: 188,912
Maker's recall no.: SC263
Owners notified: April 7, 2023

Read campaign 23V149000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

22V760000Power trainReported October 11, 2022

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Model years affected: 2021–2023

The problem

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.

What can happen

Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

The fix

Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

Vehicles affected: 69,038
Maker's recall no.: SC250
Owners notified: December 9, 2022

Read campaign 22V760000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

21V519000Fuel systemReported July 8, 2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Model years affected: 2021–2022

The problem

Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

What can happen

A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

The fix

Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.

Vehicles affected: 21,575
Maker's recall no.: SC214
Owners notified: July 21, 2021

Read campaign 21V519000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

21V447000Reported June 14, 2021

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

Model years affected: 2021–2022

The problem

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.

What can happen

A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix

Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.

Vehicles affected: 846
Maker's recall no.: SC213
Owners notified: June 24, 2021

Read campaign 21V447000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

21V164000AirbagReported March 11, 2021

AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

Model years affected: 2021

The problem

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

What can happen

In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

The fix

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.

Vehicles affected: 142
Maker's recall no.: SC207
Owners notified: March 18, 2021
Safety standard: FMVSS 208

Read campaign 21V164000 on NHTSA.gov ↗

What to do if your Kia K5 is on this list

A recall listed here applies to a range of vehicles, not to every car of that model year. Manufacturers narrow it down by build date and VIN, so the only way to know whether yours is included is to check the VIN. You can do that free on NHTSA's recall lookup, or by calling any franchised dealer for that brand with your VIN in hand.

Recall repairs are free. Under federal law the manufacturer has to fix a safety defect at no charge, and there is no mileage limit and no expiry on that obligation for vehicles under 15 years old. A dealer cannot charge you for the parts, the labour, or the diagnosis on a recall repair, and you do not need to have bought the car there. If a dealer asks you to pay, that is worth escalating to the manufacturer's customer line, which is listed in the remedy text of each recall above.

Recalls do not block a title transfer or registration in any state. You can legally buy, sell, or register a car with an open recall, and sellers are generally not required to fix one first. That said, an open recall is worth raising before money changes hands, especially one with a do-not-drive advisory. If you are buying, run the VIN before you hand over the payment; if you are selling, telling the buyer about an open recall costs you nothing and avoids a dispute later.

Kia K5 recall questions

How many recalls does the Kia K5 have?

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the Kia K5 across model years 2021 to 2026. That count covers recalls filed from 2010 onward. Not every campaign applies to every car of that model year, because manufacturers limit recalls by build date and VIN.

Which Kia K5 model year has the most recalls?

The 2021 Kia K5 carries the most, with 6 recall campaigns. A high count does not automatically mean a worse car: a single supplier fault can trigger a recall across an entire production run, and manufacturers that report problems quickly tend to show more campaigns.

Are Kia K5 recall repairs free?

Yes. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair a safety recall at no cost, including parts and labour, on vehicles under 15 years old. There is no mileage limit, and you do not have to be the original owner or have bought the car from that dealer.

Can I sell or register a Kia K5 with an open recall?

Yes. An open recall does not stop a title transfer or registration in any state, and private sellers are generally not required to repair one first. Dealers face stricter rules on some safety recalls. If you are buying, check the VIN before you pay; the repair is free, but you want to know what you are taking on.

Other Kia recalls

Kia Sorento recalls38 Kia Sportage recalls23 Kia Telluride recalls19 Kia Forte recalls18 Kia Optima recalls18 Kia Soul recalls15

Where this data comes from

Every recall on this page is published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety recalls in the United States. We pull the full recall file from NHTSA and reproduce the campaign number, defect description, consequence, and remedy exactly as the manufacturer reported them. NHTSA data is in the public domain.

Source:: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
NHTSA data as of:: July 18, 2026
Coverage:: Recalls from 2010 onward

Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov ↗

Buying or selling this car?

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Last reviewed: 2026-07-18 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice

⚠ Independent resource — check your VIN before actingCar Paperwork is not affiliated with NHTSA, any manufacturer, or any dealer. This page lists recalls issued for a model, which is not the same as a recall on your car: only a VIN check confirms that. Recall records are also updated by NHTSA continuously, so treat this as a starting point and confirm anything urgent with NHTSA or a franchised dealer. Nothing here is legal or repair advice.