Owners have reported 6 crashes and 13 injuries to NHTSA for the 2023 KIA K5. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 frequently report issues with the fuel tank expanding, leading to various safety and operational problems. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as loud popping noises, back seats being pushed upward, and difficulty refueling due to the fuel tank not accepting gas. These issues often result in loss of power, check engine lights, and in some cases, structural damage to the vehicle's subframe. Reports suggest this occurs across a range of mileages, with some vehicles experiencing these problems as early as 200 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one injury reported and potential risks of explosion or fire due to the expanded fuel tank. Buyers considering a used Kia K5 should be aware of these reported issues, particularly concerning unresolved recalls and the vehicle's safety status.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving unexpected power loss and transmission problems. Common symptoms include sudden loss of acceleration, the vehicle entering limp-home mode, and erratic RPMs, often accompanied by illuminated warning lights. These issues are reported to occur at various mileage points, with some owners noting occurrences as early as 5,000 miles and others around 34,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several complaints describe loss of control at highway speeds and near-miss incidents. Buyers should be aware that these problems persist even after service visits, with some vehicles not included in existing recalls despite exhibiting similar issues.
Owner complaints10
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report recurring issues with the fuel system in the 2023 Kia K5, with multiple complaints highlighting fuel tank expansion and associated problems. Symptoms frequently include loud popping or booming sounds, gasoline odors inside and outside the vehicle, and unexpected fuel leaks. Some owners note that these issues occur at varying mileages, with instances reported as low as 17,857 miles and as high as 270,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, with one report of a minor injury due to hot fuel fumes and another describing loss of motive power while driving. These patterns suggest that potential buyers should be cautious of fuel system issues that may affect vehicle safety and operability.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints9
STRUCTURE
Owners report several structural issues with the 2023 Kia K5, with frequent mentions of rear trim pieces, including chrome covers around the rear windshield, detaching or coming loose, potentially posing road hazards. Complaints often describe trim pieces flying off at highway speeds, and some owners note similar problems with the front bumper clips detaching. Additionally, there are reports of the sunroof glass spontaneously exploding, which could lead to glass scattering on the road or into the cabin. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with one owner noting the problem around 13,500 miles. Safety implications include the risk of these detached components causing accidents or injuries, as indicated by one crash-related complaint.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 frequently report severe engine issues, including complete engine shutdowns and explosions. Multiple complaints describe sudden loss of power, with one owner noting the engine sputters and fails to accelerate even after spark plug replacement. Some vehicles experience engine implosions shortly after purchase, with one case occurring at approximately 74 miles. Another owner reports a catastrophic fuel tank explosion that rendered the vehicle unrepairable, posing significant safety risks. These issues often occur within the first few months of ownership, and symptoms include illuminated check engine lights, strange noises, and burning smells, leading to safety hazards such as loss of control and potential collisions.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners report issues with the airbag system in the 2023 Kia K5, particularly related to deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention airbags failing to deploy in significant collisions, with one owner involved in a head-on collision noting that the airbags did not activate despite substantial damage. Another owner describes a side impact where the side airbag did not deploy, resulting in $18,000 in damages. In a separate incident, an owner reports the front airbag deploying and causing injuries, including chemical burns and a concussion. These complaints involve crashes with injuries, highlighting potential safety implications for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 7 injury reports
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 report issues with the service brakes, particularly at low mileage. Complaints frequently mention premature brake wear, with one owner needing to replace front brake pads and rotors at only 8,300 miles. Another owner describes a brake pedal locking issue during a tire blowout at approximately 8,500 miles, leading to a temporary loss of braking ability. There is also a report of a crash at around 27,000 miles where the brake pedal went soft, resulting in a collision and minor injury. These reports highlight potential safety implications, including loss of braking control and increased maintenance costs, especially at low mileage.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, with symptoms including multiple warning lights activating and a loss of functionality in safety features such as power steering, cruise control, and lane departure alerts. One complaint involves a crash, where the vehicle unexpectedly shifted gears and accelerated while in a car wash, leading to a minor collision without any warning sounds or automatic braking. These issues are reported to occur consistently upon vehicle startup, though specific mileage details are not provided. The safety implications include a loss of critical safety systems and an incident of unintended acceleration, which may be of concern to potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 report issues with unexpected acceleration when the "Auto Hold" feature is engaged. Complaints frequently mention that when coming to a stop, the engine revs up to around 4 RPMs or higher, requiring drivers to apply the brake forcefully. This issue has been reported in vehicles with mileage ranging from 800 to under 10,000 miles. In some cases, shifting to Park or Neutral temporarily resolves the problem, but concerns about potential accidents are noted if the issue occurs at high speeds. Buyers should be aware of these reports of unintended acceleration, as they pose a potential safety risk.
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 report issues related to the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving unexpected loss of power. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle shutting down while driving at highway speeds, with the accelerator failing to respond and brake systems becoming non-functional, creating potential safety risks. Additionally, warning lights, including the check engine light, illuminate along with messages indicating engine control system issues, often leading to an inability to accelerate properly. These problems are reported to occur around 13,000 miles, with some owners noting that despite repairs, the issues persist intermittently, affecting the vehicle's drivability and safety.
