The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 56 of 112 complaints (50%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 130 in 2022 to 112 in 2023.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 112
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,000–$2,300
- Combined MPG
- 27–31
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,300 | 1,950–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,000–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–32 | 27–32 | 27–31 | 27–31 | 27–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–29 / 32–38 | 24–29 / 32–38 | 24–27 / 32–37 | 24–27 / 32–37 | 23–26 / 33–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 277–332 | 277–332 | 293–332 | 293–332 | 298–331 | |
| Complaints filed | 170 | 130 | 112 | 31 | 54 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 20 | 17 | 1 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
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 2023 Kia K5 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2023 Kia K5?
Fuel System: 56 of 112 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia K5 get?
EPA rates it 27–31 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Kia K5?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| 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 | 27 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 293 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,200 | 316 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | 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 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 56 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 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 (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM
- Defect
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
- Consequence
- Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
- 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
- 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.