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2023 Kia K5

Gas
Large Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
61 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA106
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
2027202620252024202320222021

The 2023 Kia K5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the K5, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 106 complaints, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
K5GasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273731$2,000
K5 AWDGasAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo253328$2,250
K5GasFWD2.5L 4-cyl turbo243227$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45356, 45357, 45358.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2023 Kia K5 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

SC356
250,547 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V794000reported Nov 17, 2025Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Structure

SC346
100,063 vehicles
ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.RiskDetached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 25V493000reported Jul 28, 2025Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Air Bags

SC263
188,912 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskAir bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V149000reported Mar 7, 2023Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Power Train

SC250
69,038 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskLoss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V760000reported Oct 11, 2022Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
106complaints filed

6 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 17 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2022: 3 · 2023: 15 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 38 · 2026: 31

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System39
Unspecified22
Structure14
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Engine12
Power Train11

What owners describe

“I was driving and it was a loud noise. My son flew up with seat belt on hit his head on roof , gas tank blew up / or swelled up and my back seat is sitting about 10-12 inches above then normal. Very scary and worried”Jul 17, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“Gas tank expanded and bent the undercarriage up so much it blew off the fuel pump cover and pushed up the back seat.”May 28, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“I was driving on [XXX] Orlando Florida on [xxx] doing approximately 70 miles an hour when a large explosion occurred out and within my car the whole car shook this happened twice within a 5 mile radius. The car was eventually brought to Kia city in Orlando, where they determined that the fuel system had failed . the va…”Feb 29, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2023 K5 with

2023 Honda Civic →

Other K5 model years

A

2027 Kia K5

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Kia K5

1 recalls · 11 complaints

B

2025 Kia K5

2 recalls · 51 complaints

C

2024 Kia K5

2 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2022 Kia K5

5 recalls · 124 complaints

F

2021 Kia K5

6 recalls · 164 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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