Reliable Auto DB

2022 Kia K5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2022 Kia K5 has 127 complaints with NHTSA after 5 years, or 18 per year. That is about even with the other K5 years here. Their median is 17 complaints per year. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Curtain, and Automatic transmission.

2021 Kia K5
Photo by Throwawayacc222, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC0
Complaints

127

Per year

18

Recalls

5

Years on the road

5

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (35 of 127), then Engine (27) and Electrical system (25). Those filings include 15 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, 13 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 K5 has 167 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2023 has 107 complaints, 25 per year. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021. The 2022 has fewer complaints per year than the 2023.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2022 Kia K5. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

Recall Fuel system, gasoline 2025-11-17 · NHTSA campaign 25V794000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall air bags, side and window, curtain 2023-03-07 · NHTSA campaign 23V149000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2022-10-11 · NHTSA campaign 22V760000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2021-07-08 · NHTSA campaign 21V519000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.
Recall Lane-keep steering assist 2021-06-14 · NHTSA campaign 21V447000
Summary 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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (127 total)

Fuel and propulsion system
35
Engine
27
Electrical system
25
Powertrain
21
Forward collision avoidance
12
Air bags
9
Service brakes
9
Fuel system, gasoline
8
Seats
8
Structure
8
Steering
6
Lane departure
5
Speed control
5
Exterior lighting
4
Visibility
3
Visibility and wipers
3
Wheels
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Seat belts
2
Back-over prevention
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

15

Fire-flagged

4

Injury reports

13

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

42021142022142023212024472025272026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The contact did not attempt to restart the…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-22
  • "The vehicle is subject to Kia Safety Recall SC356 / NHTSA Recall 25V794 involving the fuel tank/check valve. The recall concerns potential fuel-tank swelling that can cause the tank to contact hot exhaust components,…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-19
  • "- The exact component that failed has not yet been determined. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of acceleration while driving, followed by a popping noise, smoke, and a fire that severely damaged the vehicle. The…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-10
  • "All lights on dash appear. Forward collision warning, blind spot warning, other warnings. Car loses ability to accelerate for a few moments and makes unsafe to drive. RPM needle bounces."
    Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-09-02
  • "On XXX, while traveling to [XXX], I experienced serious fuel system problems after filling my vehicle. The fuel gauge fluctuated from full to empty, and a loud pop caused the rear seat, where my two children were…"
    Seats, Unknown or other, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-30

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2022 Kia K5 4 DR FWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
K5 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 37 31 MPG $2100
K5 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (AM-S8) Front-wheel drive 24 32 27 MPG $2400
K5 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Front-wheel drive 29 38 32 MPG $2050
K5 all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 25 33 28 MPG $2300

Specs and fitment

DL3 generation (K5), 2021–present
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 (2.5L and 1.6L turbo where equipped) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 215/55R17 to 245/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 21V519000. 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. A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2021 Kia K5 Next year 2023 Kia K5 See every Kia K5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia K5 reliable?

The 2022 Kia K5 has 127 complaints with NHTSA after 5 years, or 18 per year. That is about even with the other K5 years here. Their median is 17 complaints per year. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Curtain, and Automatic transmission.

What are common problems with a 2022 Kia K5?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (35 of 127), then Engine (27) and Electrical system (25). Those filings include 15 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, 13 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2022 Kia K5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 K5 has 167 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2023 has 107 complaints, 25 per year. The 2022 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2021. The 2022 has fewer complaints per year than the 2023.

Has the 2022 Kia K5 been recalled?

The 2022 Kia K5 has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Kia K5?

Owners have filed 127 complaints about the 2022 Kia K5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Kia K5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 Kia K5 is 29.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Kia K5 take?

US notes list 0W-20 for the 2.5L and 1.6L turbo where equipped (about 5 qt with filter).

Does NHTSA campaign 21V519000 cover the Kia K5?

It covers certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles with 2.5L turbo engines (also certain 2021 Sorento): fuel may leak at the pipe-to-rail connection; dealers inspect and repair.

What generation is the Kia K5?

DL3 generation, model year 2021 onward in the US.