2021 Kia K5 fuel system problems
56 of the 167 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia K5 name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 23 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 56 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 24 · 2026: 22
Half of the 12 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 90,000 and 119,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
167 complaints in all about the 2021 Kia K5, 22 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia K5 fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Expansion of air tank, causing to pop up frame in backseat and total car deemed unsafe to drive. No warnings car had never been in the shop prayer happened while driving over rule Mountain area with two children in the backseat.
Driving down highway, gas hand was on half a tank then all of a sudden gas hand drops to empty and light comes on, engine started sputtering. Heard a loud pop in the back seat looked back and back seat has popped up from base. Strong odor of gasoline poured into the car. Went to closest gas station to get off highway.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, when the gas tank expanded, and the back seat popped up. The contact stated that two teenagers were in the back seat, and one was injured.
I've took my lease vehicle too dealer for the same problem 3 time car shake no matte what speed check engine light flashes code P0302 cylinder 2 misfire
Purge control valve but pressure in my gas tank and it has expanded. Kia will not replace my tank. Heard 2 loud bangs going down the road I started smelling gas. Check engine light came on. Pulled over and gas is pushing up and out behind my tank flowing down my wheel well. Opened the gas cap and it sprayed gas all over me.
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 25V794000 CriticalNov 17, 2025 · 250,547 vehicles
- 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.
- 21V519000 HighJul 8, 2021 · 21,575 vehicles
- 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.
23 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SC288_TSB_R6_CLSD EmissionsJan 16, 2026
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FUEL TANK AND/OR PCSV CHECK VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT + ECU SW UPGRADE (SC288/SC288A) CLOSED & SUPERSEDED - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by SC356. This bulletin provided information to inspect the fuel evaporative system and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank and/or the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) check va
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2021 Kia K5 names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2021 Kia K5?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 56 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (34% of everything owners filed about it), and 23 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2021 Kia K5?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 25V794000, 21V519000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2021 Kia K5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 115,000 miles; half of them between 90,000 and 119,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.