14 complaints reported

2021 Kia K5 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
14
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jul 2025

I am submitting this complaint regarding ongoing and unresolved safety issues with my Kia K5, which I believe are directly related to a known recall involving the ECM (engine control module) and/or fuel system. My vehicle continues to jerk and misfire during acceleration, and it has even stalled at idle on multiple occasions — creating a serious safety concern for myself and others on the road. I have already completed the recommended repairs, including new ignition coils and spark plugs, yet the problem persists. Despite these symptoms aligning with known recall-related issues, Kia of Orange Park (Florida) has refused to fully diagnose or investigate the matter, citing that the recall does not apply in my case. However, the symptoms match those outlined in other ECM/fuel system-related recalls, and this is not the first time this dealership has failed to properly address mechanical concerns. Previously, I had to escalate an A/C issue to Kia Corporate, which only resulted in a resolution after a recall was issued right before my vehicle was set to be returned with the same issue. That situation makes me extremely concerned that my current safety concerns are again being ignored and will only be addressed after a broader recall is issued. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this matter, as I am worried this defect may affect other vehicles and poses a safety risk that Kia and its dealerships are not taking seriously. Thank you for your attention and action.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Jun 2025

AC system is interminably stops working for hours or days then starts working again. Have taken to dealer but every time I get it there unit starts working and they say they can’t check it if it’s working. This has been going on for over a month.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
May 2025

My a/c has been giving me issues for about a year and a half to two years now. I have a 2021 Kia k5. When I first told Kia about it they told me it’s from the rain, if that’s the case then every car on the road would have this issue. Then they later told me it was my motor blower when I went back. There was a thousand dollar difference between two quotes they gave me for the same issue also. The air used to come on for a few hours or a day then go completely off. Now it’s sometimes will give off cold air if I put my hand to the vent but it’s nothing powerful to make a difference in the summer. I have read up on many other people having this issue. Kia also sent a recall to me last summer for a/c issues but the dealership told me that doesn’t apply to me because they are saying it’s my blower motor. I should not be held responsible for this malfunction at all. I want to request Kia give me an extended hvac warranty up to 180,000 miles at least!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Mar 2025

Hit pot holes lower control arm was replaced

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2025
Nov 2024

Hi I brought my 2021 kia k5 got line last February 2023 around 44k miles I have had coolant leak where nobody can tell me where is the leak coming from I look online and other Kia owner have had the same issues

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2024
Sep 2024

Have had issues with a/c since I bought the car. Has been inspected 3 times, apparently it was just the actuator doors not working. But not I have no a/c, and my dealer refused to fix it. On reddit there's a thread going around saying fuses are melting and that it's causing everyone's a/c to not work. My fuses for this particular spot are burnt looking. This is a safety issue in regards to living in Arizona, the heat is deadly. I will be trading my car in if this isn't recalled.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2024
Jun 2024

Underbody dust panels have torn off of mounting bolts without any clear cause of damage, main front panel and right passenger side panel. Loose panels could have fallen off on highway. Only indication they came loose was when they began flapping in air flow from driving.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2024
Feb 2024

Fails to upload contacts. Voice recognition does not work. Does not identify caller. Only way to use their system to answer a call while driving is to physically pick up the phone from the charger, look at the phone and press the bluetooth function twice to answer the call.. I was at two dealers and talked to their corporate customer service reps and an escalation rep who told me they do not support Android any longer and to hard wire Android play for use. I tried that and Android play does not work very well. To answer a phone is basically the same process. The mechanic at one of the dealers has a Kia and told me he has the same issue. How many other folks are driving Kias and have to take their eyes off the road to answer a call? This is Extremely dangerous. Kia will do nothing to fix the problem. The car is my office. I need to have these functions working just like when i purchased the car. This is my business. This is going to cause a crash

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc. Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 9999 TBD TBD, Manufacturer: ODI Demo Co
Incident: Jan 2024
Apr 2022

The undercarriage of the vehicle fell as I was driving down the highway. Yes it is available upon request. My safety was put at risk because part of the undercarriage piece started to rip and go underneath my tire. The problem was inspected by a dealer. The component has not been inspected by anyone else. There were no warnings prior to this occurring.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2022
Apr 2022

Can is going 4000rpm at 70 mph. Feels like no power, won't go over 80 mpg. To it the dealer but didn't do anything unless the check engine light is on. Can is 10 months old.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Apr 2022

Horn went out? No explanation

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Jun 2021

Sunroof exploded while driving. Only had the car 2 months.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2021
May 2021

Purchased new Kia K5 LXS few months ago. Originally warning lights appeared on dashboard. At first windows would come down intermittently. Now my windows won't come down at all. My headlights flicker and turn off at night. Car sounds like it's powering down at times. Contacted dealership a number of times. Alerted dealership of problems and concerns via phone and during service. Met with indifference and treated like they hadn't talked to me regarding latest concerns. This shouldn't happen to any vehicle especially when purchased brand new.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2021
Feb 2021 Crash Injury

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CROSSED IN MY PATH, AND I BROADSIDED HIS VEHICLE. I AM NOT SURE OF MY SPEED AT IMPACT. I WOULD GUESS 30 MPH. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ALSO CAME UNLATCHED, FOLDING ITSELF DOWN. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2021 KIA K5, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Kia K5 has 14 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.