2021 Kia K5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 54 of 164 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,300 | 1,950–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–32 | 27–32 | 27–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–29 / 32–38 | 24–29 / 32–38 | 24–27 / 32–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 277–332 | 277–332 | 293–332 | |
| Complaints filed | 164 | 125 | 106 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 14 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 18 | 17 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia K5 have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia K5?
Fuel System: 54 of 164 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia K5 get?
EPA rates it 27–32 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia K5?
EPA estimates $1,950–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $1,950 (low) | 277 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 27 mpg | 37 mpg | 31 mpg | $2,000 | 291 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 312 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 332 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 54 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 45 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 32 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (6)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 25V794000 · Nov 18, 2025
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 23V149000 · Mar 8, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in 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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 22V760000 · Oct 12, 2022
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 21V519000 · Jul 9, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
STEERING; LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST · Campaign 21V447000 · Jun 14, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER · Campaign 21V164000 · Mar 12, 2021
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.