The 2025 Kia K5 has 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (15 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints54filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 0reported in complaints
2025 Kia K5 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Structure › Exterior trim
NHTSA recall 25V493000 · Jul 28, 2025 · 100,063 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Components: Structure › Exterior trim; Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
NHTSA recall 25V351000 · May 27, 2025 · 82,281 vehicles
Problem: 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."
Risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2025 Kia K5 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.7%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2025 Kia K5 4 DR FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
10.7%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
K5
30mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 37 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,250/year to fuel
K5
29mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 36 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
K5 AWD
27mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
K5
27mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM-S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Tires Sidewall; Tread/belt
15
0
0
0
—
Electrical system
12
0
0
0
—
Power train
6
0
0
2
—
Unknown or other
6
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
6
0
0
0
—
Wheels
5
0
0
0
—
Structure Body
5
2
0
1
—
Forward collision avoidance Warnings; Adaptive cruise control
5
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
4
0
0
0
—
Air bags
3
2
0
1
—
Engine
3
1
0
3
—
Vehicle speed control
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 21, 2026Electrical system While driving my car down the road my car's exterior headlights as well as all of the interior instrument and infotainment panels will completely black out and then come back on. This issue started approximately 2 months after buying my car. This has happened approximately 10 times total while driving it now. I was told by the dealership that there was nothing they could do since it was not a reproduceable issue, therefore I continued to drive my car. To me that is a safety issue when you are told as a customer that there is nothing they can do for your car that has an issue such as this while driving. I continued to call and inform them of when this issue came up while driving. My car was…
Aug 11, 2026Vehicle speed control I have had my vehicle for about 4 and 1/2 months since the first week or so I have an alert pop up say my front camera is obstructed only during the daytime it takes away 4 of my safety features, it has happened a couple dozen times I have been to the dealership they did not know what is wrong they are waiting for Kia to come up with a recall, or some sort of fix. When I look it up online it's all over the internet so many people have the same issue I hope you guys can help.. I also have a videos showing every issue of your life that's on but I currently cannot find them
Oct 2, 2026Tires I own a 2025 Kia K5 GT-Line that was purchased new. I have experienced repeated loss of traction and vehicle stability while driving on wet roads. During normal low-speed turns on wet pavement, the rear of the vehicle can suddenly lose traction and slide sideways when I apply light acceleration. This has occurred multiple times. I am not accelerating aggressively or traveling at an excessive speed when it happens. The loss of rear traction can be sudden enough that I feel I am temporarily losing control of the vehicle. The ESC/traction control system is enabled and there are no warning lights displayed. Tire pressures have been checked and are approximately 33â34 PSI, and I have not…
Sep 1, 2026Tires › Tread/belt I am filing this on behalf of a relative. He was driving his Kia k5 home and he heard a sudden POP. He got it to the side of the road and saw his tread was delaminated and a flap was made on the sidewall. The tires were the factory installed ones with a long life left
Sep 3, 2026Tires At approximately 20,000 miles, an original-equipment Pirelli P Zero All Season 235/45R18 94V tire on my 2025 Kia K5 GT-Line suffered a sudden apparent tread/outer-shoulder separation while traveling at highway speed. The tire had been maintaining normal pressure and remained inflated, but a large portion separated and exposed the internal cords.
Aug 8, 2026Tires 235/46 r 18 tires currently have 28,000 miles and Iâve 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.
Jul 1, 2026Tires 235/45 r18 at 12,000 miles miles. Iâve 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.
Jul 21, 2026Service brakes 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 complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.