2025 Kia K5

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 19 of 51 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 29 in 2024 to 51 in 2025.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Advertisement

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20232024202520262027vs. 2025 Large Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,000–2,3002,000–2,3002,100–2,3002,100–2,3002,100–2,300
Combined MPG27–3127–3127–3027–3027–30
City / Highway MPG24–27 / 32–3724–27 / 32–3723–26 / 33–3723–26 / 33–3723–26 / 33–37
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)293–332293–332298–331298–331296–333
Complaints filed1062951110Not compared
Recalls issued42210Not compared
Crash-involved complaints61400Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00000Not compared
Injuries reported171610Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared33444

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 2025 Kia K5 have?

2 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 2025 Kia K5?

Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 19 of 51 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia K5 get?

EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2025 Kia K5?

EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (S8)42.5LAll-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars24 mpg33 mpg (low)27 mpg (low)$2,300 (high)329 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic (S8)42.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars25 mpg36 mpg29 mpg$2,150310 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic (S8)42.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars26 mpg (high)37 mpg (high)30 mpg (high)$2,100 (low)298 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Automatic (AM-S8)42.5LFront-Wheel DriveRegularLarge Cars23 mpg (low)33 mpg (low)27 mpg (low)$2,300 (high)331 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine31030
Transmission & Drivetrain60020
Fuel System00000
Electrical110000
Brakes10000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires190000
Airbags & Restraints32010
Driver Assistance & Speed Control40000
Body, Seats & Latches52010
Visibility & Lighting80000
Other60000

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 (2)

  • STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS; STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM · Campaign 25V493000 · Jul 29, 2025

    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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V351000 · May 28, 2025

    Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Consequence: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.