Reliable Auto DB

2023 Kia K5 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia K5 over 4 years — 25 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 K5 years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Roof and pillars, and Curtain.

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

107

Per year

25

Recalls

4

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (39 of 107), then Fuel system, gasoline (14) and Structure (14). Those filings include 6 that report a crash and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 K5 has 127 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2024 has 30 complaints, 10 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

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 2023 Kia K5. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

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 structure, body, roof and pillars 2025-07-28 · NHTSA campaign 25V493000
Summary Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Remedy 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.
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.

Complaints by component (107 total)

Fuel and propulsion system
39
Fuel system, gasoline
14
Structure
14
Engine
12
Powertrain
11
Electrical system
6
Forward collision avoidance
6
Service brakes
6
Seats
5
Air bags
4
Lane departure
2
Speed control
2
Suspension
2
Tires
2
Visibility
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Exterior lighting
1
Wheels
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

32022152023192024382025322026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-09-17
  • "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…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-08-31
  • "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…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-08-31
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-06
  • "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…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-31

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Kia K5 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2023 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 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 27 37 31 MPG $2100
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 2022 Kia K5 Next year 2024 Kia K5 See every Kia K5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Kia K5 reliable?

Owners have filed 107 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia K5 over 4 years — 25 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 4 K5 years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Fuel system, gasoline, Roof and pillars, and Curtain.

What are common problems with a 2023 Kia K5?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (39 of 107), then Fuel system, gasoline (14) and Structure (14). Those filings include 6 that report a crash and 8 that report an injury.

Is the 2023 Kia K5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 K5 has 127 complaints, 18 per year, and the 2024 has 30 complaints, 10 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Kia K5 been recalled?

The 2023 Kia K5 has 4 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 2023 Kia K5?

Owners have filed 107 complaints about the 2023 Kia K5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2023 Kia K5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 Kia K5 is 28.7 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.