2026 Kia K5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 5 of 11 complaints (45%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 51 in 2025 to 11 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | vs. 2026 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–31 | 27–30 | 27–30 | 27–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–27 / 32–37 | 23–26 / 33–37 | 23–26 / 33–37 | 23–26 / 33–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 293–332 | 298–331 | 298–331 | 296–333 | |
| Complaints filed | 29 | 51 | 11 | 0 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 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 2026 Kia K5 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2026 Kia K5?
Engine: 5 of 11 NHTSA complaints (45%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Kia K5 get?
EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Kia K5?
EPA estimates $2,100–$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 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 25 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 310 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 26 mpg (high) | 37 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 298 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 33 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 331 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 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 (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 26V046000 · Jan 27, 2026
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.