Carlexica

2025 Kia K5: problems, recalls and reliability

2 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (19% of complaints); the 2024 and 2026 model years look more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 7 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2025

2
recalls
49
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

NHTSA crash testOverall ★★★★★Front ★★★★Side ★★★★★Rollover ★★★★
5-star NHTSA overall safety ratingNo fire reports

Common problems

Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Tires19% · 12 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)17% · 11 complaints
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)9% · 6 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)8% · 5 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)8% · 5 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)8% · 5 complaints
235/46 r 18 tires currently have 28,000 miles and I’ve already replaced one tire due to lump on side wall that started developing at 12,000 miles and on other three tires. The tread is chipping and separating from the tire on the same pattern all three tires.Owner report · Tires · Aug 2026
The first time the collision warning lights and sounds came on when I was parked but had my engine on in the morning of 7/21/2026. The second time was when I was merging on a busy highway with cars going 65+mph... There were no cars around me, but the collision warning said crash, the sounds came on, and my brakes went into effect. I pulled off the road, and now I am terrified to drive my car. I called KIA and told them this. They sent out a tow. They had my car and told me that the computer on my car did not register any issues for both times this happened. Someone is taking my car home tonight and going on the same highway to see if it happens again.Owner report · Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance · Jul 2026
235/45 r18 at 12,000 miles miles. I’ve noticed that the front passenger side had a slight little lump on the side wall as it reached 28,000 that ball that bigger and bigger. Had to replace the tire due to the safety concerns. Noticed that the other three tires are showing other patterns of deformities.Owner report · Tires · Jul 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
On startup, the engine took about an extra second to fire. The starter cranked noticeably longer than normal before the car turned on. Shortly after, I pulled out and turned onto a street. When I pressed the accelerator, there was no response at all. No rev increase and no acceleration. The car would not pick up speed. I switched to manual shift mode to try to force a gear change. When I changed gears, it took a couple of seconds to respond each time, much slower than normal. I managed to coast/limp to a nearby gas station. I shut the car off and restarted it, and the problem cleared completely. The car has driven normally since.Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2026
There is a hard shift after the car has been parked. Bought the car with 6 miles on it, now has 35,000. This issue is not new, we have had it into 2 different dealerships, and neither "were able to duplicate the issue". It is increasingly getting worse so it will be going back to the shop yet again.Owner report · Power Train · May 2026
The car material itself is very cheap meaning it poor quality, very flimsy, I hit a curb and the grill and cover just broke so easily even though it was now a serious hit but very small and slight to the point where you can’t feel it. Now it’s just hanging off and shaking badly because of the poor material, it isn’t stuff enough to keep in place.Owner report · Structure · Feb 2026
Within 1 month of purchasing this vehicle (new), the front passenger tire developed a bubble in the sidewall. We had to argue with the dealership to get it replaced. It had less than 200 miles on it. 7 months later there is a bubble in the sidewall of the front driver side tire. There is less than 9,000 miles on these tires. This is a safety issue and a defect that is not being addressed. We keep being told we must have hit a bump or something to cause this. I have owned many vehicles (more than I can count) and have never had this happen before. It should 100% be recalled or covered under warranty. Pirelli P Zero All Season 235/45R18 18-inch alloyOwner report · Tires · Feb 2026
The stock OE Pirelli PZero 235/45 R18 tire had a sidewall bubble identified after 7200 miles. The tire was originally the front passenger tire, moved to the rear passenger after tire rotation.Owner report · Tires · Feb 2026
While driving in the dark this morning with my eight year old in the backseat, my headlights shut off, my entire dash including my speedometer, warning lights, radio, heat, heated seat and steering wheel, lost electricity.Owner report · Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2026
While I was driving, the panoramic sunroof suddenly shattered without any impact. I did not hear or see any object hit the glass. It made a very loud noise similar to a gunshot, and then the glass fractured across the middle section, broke upward, and collapsed into small pieces. There is no visible rock chip or impact point. This was extremely loud and frightening and could have caused injury if more glass had fallen inside the cabin.Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2025

When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 2 campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE25V351000 · May 2025

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."

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.

STRUCTURE:EXTERIOR TRIM25V493000 · Jul 2025

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.

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.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Kia K5 reliable?

NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2025 Kia K5. The most complained-about area is tires (19% of complaints).

Does the 2025 Kia K5 have open recalls?

2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:lighting control module:software. 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.