The 2023 Kia K5 carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering automatic transmission and curtain. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel tank expansion and swelling.” Kia uses Hyundai Motor Group's powertrains, so service intervals mirror Hyundai's. Kia Promise covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance. Kia owners with the Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Optima, Sorento, Sportage 2011-2019) should adhere strictly to oil intervals due to known oil-consumption issues in Kia TSBs.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #22V760000 · Nov 10, 2022
Issue: 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.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
Campaign #23V149000 · Jul 3, 2023
Issue: 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.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Campaign #25V493000 · Jul 28, 2025
Issue: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Campaign #25V794000 · Nov 17, 2025
Issue: 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.
Risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Kia K5.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
45 NHTSA complaints · 2024-02 → 2026-06
“Gas tank expanded and bent the undercarriage up so much it blew off the fuel pump cover and pushed up the back seat.”
“My 2023 Kia K5 experienced a fuel system issue related to Recall SC288 (Fuel Tank Inspection & ECM Update). The vehicle displayed a check engine light and could not accept fuel while refueling. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership on May 21, 2025 where the recall inspection…”
POWER TRAIN
11 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2025-10
“My 2023 Kia K5 GT (VIN: [XXX]) is experiencing a dangerous complete power loss at highway speeds. I was driving at the speed limit on [XXX] when the vehicle lost propulsion, entered limp-home mode, and illuminated every warning lamp. This has happened six times since purchase…”
“Transmission is itself in neutral while driving. Resulting in irratic RPMs, hesitating acceleration and rough transition to gears. Took care into dealership service department. They seemed that I would need a transmission replacement. Kia approved the request. Still waiting on…”
STRUCTURE
8 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-06
“Front driver side bottom bumper has unclipped randomly. I’ve spoken to a group with other 2023 Kia K5 GT-Line owners and at minimum 30 others have had the same exact clip from the bumper randomly detach. This could cause a hazard for other drivers if the bumper were to detach…”
“The back chrome cover around the rear windshield all 3 pieces are coming loose and I had the one on my passenger side fly off while I was going down the highway and the piece almost hit the truck behind me thankfully traffic wasn’t to bad on the highway so he was able to hit his…”
SERVICE BRAKES
6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2026-07
“I am writing to formally file a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia K5 and the unacceptable experience I have had following a dangerous brake system failure. On Wednesday June 24th, while driving on Route 22 in New Jersey, my vehicle's brakes suddenly became extremely hard, making…”
“2023 Kia K5 GT, 8300 miles. Took car for 1st oil change and dealer said front brake pads and rotors need replaced. $800. The car is driven to school and home. How is this possible? Brakes should not be worn out this fast! Does this mean every oil change appointment will be $800…”
TIRES
2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2023-08
“Tire: Pirelli P Zero All Season M+S (235/45/18) Tire experienced a catastrophic failure while driving entire tire came a loose from rim leaving the car incapacitated and unable to maintain control. Luckily it was a rear tire which allowed partial control until able to safely…”
“Factory-installed tire on brand new KIA K-5 suffered catastrophic sidewall failure without contact with any foreign object after tire and vehicle was driven 151 total miles since new. Tire is Pirelli UPR18-235 PZERO All Season. ( R57-119, 029974 S2 WRZ (E4), (E3) 022958)”
STRUCTURE
5 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2025-07
“Component or System: Front sunroof glass – panoramic sunroof system The sunroof has been removed but I could provide pictures What happened: While my vehicle was parked, the front sunroof glass panel spontaneously exploded outward, sending shattered glass fragments upward and…”
“Was driving on the highway at roughly about 70 MPH and all of a sudden heard a big explosion and found out my sunroof blew open with glass all over the back seat and inside of my car. Luckily no one was in the back seat, if there was, they would have been injured very badly.”
AIR BAGS
2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-06 → 2025-03
“I was involved in a head on collision, all of my safety warning notified me but my airbags NEVER deployed. This is a serious safety hazard especially with many problems being reported with airbag deployment. The adjuster and collision center both stated at the rate of speed from…”
“I was involved in a traffic accident on May 29 2023. I was hit on the passenger side sustaining $18,000 in damages. My side air bag never went off.”
Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L on Optima, Sorento, Sportage (2011-2019): full synthetic only, never extend.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Telluride and Sorento AWD owners benefit from rotation every 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads and rotors every 7,500 miles. Forte and Soul front pads typically last 40,000-55,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required for ABS and ESC pump longevity.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Kia SP-IV — same as Hyundai.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Iridium-tipped plugs rated 105,000 miles on most Kia engines. 1.6T (Forte GT, Soul Turbo): 60,000 miles. 3.5L Lambda II V6 (Telluride, Sorento): 105,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Kia Long-Life Coolant (pink, same as Hyundai): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not mix with green or orange coolant.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Sportage AWD, Sorento AWD, Telluride AWD: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Optima, Forte, and Sportage; behind the dashboard panel on Telluride.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
13 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
6
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Kia K5 reflects Kia's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.