Kia

K5

Large Cars · model years 2021 to 2027

Includes K5 and K5 AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 24 K5 trims All Kia cars

The verdict

Best year: 2027. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 39; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2021. complaints: 167, about 3.2x this model's typical 52; recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia K5
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2021	4Gas	30	180	$2,075	6	167	0	131	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12%
complaints: 167, about 3.2x this model's typical 52 recalls: 6, about 3x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 7 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	4Gas	29.5	180	$2,100	5	129	0	110	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16%, ENGINE 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 129, about 2.5x this model's typical 52 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 20 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	3Gas	28	180	$2,200	4	108	1	68	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 26%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9%
complaints: 108, about 2.8x this model's typical 39 recalls: 4, about 2x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	3Gas	28	180	$2,200	2	30	0	44	ENGINE 20%, STRUCTURE 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 39 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 72 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	4Gas	28	191	$2,400	2	52	0	25	TIRES 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, POWER TRAIN 8%
complaints: 52, in line with this model's typical 52 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 64 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	3Gas	27	no data	$2,500	1	14	0	no data	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 26%, ENGINE 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%
complaints: 14, below this model's typical 39 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 83 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	3Gas	27	no data	$2,500	0	0	0	no data	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 39 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2021: 30 to 2027: 27

Owner complaints2021: 167 to 2027: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia K5 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.