2022 Kia K5: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 123 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (22% of complaints); the 2024 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 3 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“As I was driving down the road, I began to hear a loud, forceful noise. I assumed it was something in my trunk rolling against the rear seats. The noise kept getting louder, and I pulled over, very frightened, as several warning lights came on, including the low fuel light and check engine light, and the fuel gauge needle was past "E." Before the incident, the GPM reading was 400. After a while, I made it home, but the car started making loud noises and then died. That's when I noticed my back seats were lifted. I called Kia customer service and had the car towed to the Kia dealership on Seigan Lane, where it is now. Something needs to be done about this.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the automatic front collision avoidance system abruptly engaged while there was a vehicle was parked on the passenger-side of the roadway. The contact stated the parked vehicle did not present a safety hazard to the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Jun 2026
“I was driving on the highway and my check engine light came on. I pulled over and it told it was from engine control system. I had a computer connected to it and it came back the idle control system rpm higher than expected.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The drive train car would not go then my accelerator will rev up and down and not go over 10 miles a hour then all these service lights come on and car go in like limp mode and not drive in middle of intersection no one inspected the car i tuned it off and let it sit for 24 hours and started it and it was normally except the acceleration goes up and down when it wants to there were a lot of warning lights”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025
“The driver's seat heater automatically deactivates after 30 seconds. The heating element remains active for only 20 seconds, and unfortunately, the console with the wireless phone charging station is not functioning.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2025
“When engine is Idling the cabin immediately starts to smell completely like gasoline. This happens whether the A/C system is on or not. It's so strong sometimes that I have to put my window down to release the fumes.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2025
“EPB light with multiple other dash lights come on. It affects my breaking, shifting and acceleration. I was attempting to get on the freeway the first time it happened and my car would not accelerate. I had to drive off to the side to prevent getting hit. It happens intermittently at no given time. I just got it back from the dealership and am still having the issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2025
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, while taking the vehicle to the dealer, it was determined by the dealer that the vehicle could not be repaired. The contact was not given any reason why the vehicle could not be repaired and was offered a buy-back option instead. The contact stated that the rear passenger seats were extremely hot. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2025
“My 2022 Kia k5 has gone into limp mode multiple times now while I am driving in addition to when it starts up. Check engine light, AUTOHOLD, EPB, traction control, etc. all aluminate on my dashboard. Car drives very rough and doesn't want to accelerate or shift. Huge safety issue. Dealership said it was the throttle body assembly. Paid to have it replaced and the issues still persists. I have read multiple other comments with the same issue and dealerships have no idea what the issue is or how to correctly diagnose. Error codes were P00BD00, C136081, and C174181.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“The ac and or heat goes out and I have to press the fuse under the hood and it comes back on other Kia k5 owners have had the same problem was told to report here for recall so fuse box doesn't get burned out.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact K5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2022 Kia K5 reliable?
NHTSA has 123 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2022 Kia K5. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2022 Kia K5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 2022 Kia K5 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.