2022 KIA K5 Problems and Recalls (124 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2022 KIA K5 is Fuel system (24% of 124 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Fuel system — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 124 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 2022 KIA K5?

30 of 124 filings named Fuel system (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (11 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lane keeping, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2021 has 163 reports on file; this year has 124. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2022 KIA K5

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Fuel system. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Fuel system 30 complaints · 24.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 14
  • Fires 3
  • Injuries 18
  • Deaths 2
Compare with 2021 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) appears in 30 of 124 owner complaints (24.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 30 complaints, 24.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 2 fire reports 30 · 24.2% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 11 complaints, 8.9% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 11 · 8.9% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 8.1% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 10 · 8.1% Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE): 10 complaints, 8.1% of reports Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 4 crash reports 10 · 8.1% Engine (ENGINE): 7 complaints, 5.7% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 7 · 5.7% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 6 complaints, 4.8% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 6 · 4.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 5 complaints, 4.0% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 5 · 4.0% Steering (STEERING): 5 complaints, 4.0% of reports Steering (STEERING) 2 crash reports 5 · 4.0% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 5 complaints, 4.0% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 · 4.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 51 complaints, 41.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 51 · 41.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 30 24.2% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 11 8.9% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 10 8.1% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE) 10 8.1% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 7 5.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 6 4.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 5 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 5 4.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 5 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 51 41.1% 6 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Apr 2021; the first recall shown was reported in Jun 2021. 2021-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2023-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2024-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2024-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2025-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2025-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2026-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2026-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 Owner reports Apr 2021 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 21V447000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V447000 Recall campaign 21V519000 ◆ Recall campaign 21V519000 Recall campaign 22V760000 ◆ Recall campaign 22V760000 Recall campaign 23V149000 ◆ Recall campaign 23V149000 Recall campaign 25V794000 ◆ Recall campaign 25V794000
  • Campaign 22V760000 was reported 281 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 23V149000 was reported 460 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2021-Q2 Owner reports 1
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2021-Q4 Owner reports 2
2022-Q1 Owner reports 4
2022-Q2 Owner reports 3
2022-Q4 Owner reports 7
2023-Q1 Owner reports 5
2023-Q2 Owner reports 5
2023-Q3 Owner reports 2
2023-Q4 Owner reports 2
2024-Q1 Owner reports 2
2024-Q2 Owner reports 3
2024-Q3 Owner reports 11
2024-Q4 Owner reports 5
2025-Q1 Owner reports 5
2025-Q2 Owner reports 10
2025-Q3 Owner reports 21
2025-Q4 Owner reports 11
2026-Q1 Owner reports 9
2026-Q2 Owner reports 9
2026-Q3 Owner reports 6
Recall campaign 1 21V447000
Recall campaign 1 21V519000
Recall campaign 1 22V760000
Recall campaign 1 23V149000
Recall campaign 1 25V794000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lane keeping, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags.

  1. Recall campaign 21V447000

    Lane keeping

    Report date
    Component:
    Lane keeping (LANE DEPARTURE)
    Consequence:
    A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 21V519000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 22V760000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 23V149000

    Airbags

    Report date
    Component:
    Airbags (AIR BAGS)
    Consequence:
    Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 25V794000

    Safety recall 25V794000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 5 of 124 complaints · page 1 of 5
2026-09-02Automatic braking / collision warning (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11761727
CrashFireInjuryDeath
All lights on dash appear. Forward collision warning, blind spot warning, other warnings. Car loses ability to accelerate for a few moments and makes unsafe to drive. RPM needle bounces.
2026-07-30Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11753652
CrashFireInjuryDeath
On XXX, while traveling to [XXX], I experienced serious fuel system problems after filling my vehicle. The fuel gauge fluctuated from full to empty, and a loud pop caused the rear seat, where my two children were sitting, to lift upward. The vehicle would not accept more fuel despite the empty reading. I called AAA, but before the tow arrived, the gauge returned to normal, so I continued my trip. After returning to [XXX], I checked my Kia app and discovered active Recall SC356 describing a damaged check valve that could cause fuel tank expansion, rear seat lifting, and abnormal fuel gauge behavior—the same symptoms I experienced. On XXX, I brought the vehicle to The Kia Store in Louisville, advised them of the recall and my symptoms, and requested an inspection. Service Advisor Sidney Daub stated the issue was caused by a scratched muffler, not the recall, and no recall repair was performed. Relying on that assessment, I continued driving. From XXX, while traveling to [XXX], the same problems returned. Smoke came from the fuel tank area, fuel sprayed onto me when I opened the fuel door, and the vehicle became disabled and required towing home. I then took it to Kia Store East on June 10. There, [XXX] advised the failure was related to Recall SC356, and Haley informed me Kia Consumer Affairs would contact me. After weeks of communications, Kia advised on XXX that the vehicle was unrepairable and requested ownership documents. On XXX, Kia offered only to satisfy my loan balance through a buyback. I believe the dealership's failure to properly diagnose & repair the recall condition in April directly contributed to the later failure, safety hazards, towing expenses, and loss of my vehicle. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate Kia's handling of Recall SC356 and the dealership's actions, & encourage Kia to consider a replacement vehicle, collateral swap, or another equitable resolution. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-07-27Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11753188
CrashFireInjuryDeath
As I was driving down the road, I began to hear a loud, forceful noise. I assumed it was something in my trunk rolling against the rear seats. The noise kept getting louder, and I pulled over, very frightened, as several warning lights came on, including the low fuel light and check engine light, and the fuel gauge needle was past “E.” Before the incident, the GPM reading was 400. After a while, I made it home, but the car started making loud noises and then died. That’s when I noticed my back seats were lifted. I called Kia customer service and had the car towed to the Kia dealership on Seigan Lane, where it is now. Something needs to be done about this.
2026-07-27Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11753069
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 50-65 MPH, the vehicle was jerking and came to a sudden stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that there was an issue with the water pressure cooling system. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer confirmed that there was no warranty coverage for the repair on the vehicle. The contact called the warranty company and informed the contact that the warranty mileage was 100,000. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the dealers were independently owned. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
2026-07-06Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11748609
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Driving anywhere in general and which ever speed my gas would leak and smell would over take the car and I have a [XXX] and [XXX] babies. This is not the first but the third recall and this is a fire hazard I can’t imagine my car going in flames while we’re already suffering with a leaking gas smell every time we drive the car I can loose my whole family I will soon being filing a lawsuit against this I want a new vehicle completely I do not feel safe in this car with my kids at all there’s always an issue and my dealership is over 40min away to be going so often throughout the years of having this car this is completely unsafe dangerous and just out right unexpectedable and will be filing soon for a new car and compensation INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2022 KIA K5?

Owners named Fuel system most often — 30 of 124 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2022 KIA K5?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lane keeping, Fuel system, Transmission / driveline, and Airbags. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2022 KIA K5?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources