Car Problem DataNHTSA records

Kia K5

Owners filed 489 complaints across 6 model years of the Kia K5. The 2021 drew the most (165); the 2026 the fewest (11).

Model years6
Complaints489
Recalls20
Fires6
Deaths3

Every Kia K5 model year compared

Complaints per year
YearComplaintsRelative volumeRecallsFiresCrashesMost reportedStatus
202611
1——Unknown or OtherRoutine
202551
2—4Electrical SystemRoutine
202430
2—1EngineRoutine
2023107
4—6Fuel/Propulsion SystemRoutine
2022125
5414Fuel/Propulsion SystemFatalities reported
2021165
628Electrical SystemFatalities reported

Which Kia K5 years should you avoid?

On raw complaint volume the 2021 is the weakest year on record, with 165 complaints concentrated in the electrical system. It carries 6 recalls.

Read these numbers with sales volume in mind. A model year that sold in huge numbers naturally accumulates more reports than a rare one, and older cars have had more years to fail. The stronger signal is the severity columns and whether the same component keeps coming up year after year.

Data: NHTSA complaint and recall files, September 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports.