Last updated: 2026-10-10

2024 Kia K5 Reliability Report
The 2024 KIA K5 has good reliability, but owners report sudden power loss while driving and exterior trim that comes loose despite a federal recall.
Recalls
2
Complaints
20
Complaint Rate
4.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,950–$2,200
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Middle of the pack among K5 years, with good reliability and a 5-star crash rating, but complaints of sudden power loss and loose exterior trim.
Top Issues to Watch
- STRUCTURE (5)
- ENGINE (4)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
Should You Buy the 2024 Kia K5?
Good reliability makes this a sound used pick. Among 2024 sedans it rates above average, and within the K5's scored model years it sits in the middle of six. Owners filed 20 complaints, about 4.3 per 10,000 sold. The 2023 rates worse, with 81 complaints and 4 recalls. The 2025 rates about the same, with 29 complaints and 2 recalls.
The serious reports involve power. Several owners describe a sudden loss of power while driving, including at highway speeds as high as 80 mph, sometimes with the failure returning after a restart. Others say the car stalled or stopped hard in traffic at 15-20 MPH and needed a tow. One owner found metal flakes on the dipstick at 2500 miles. Dealers often could not diagnose these faults. Loose exterior trim, mostly around the rear window, is the most common complaint, and some dealers have left the federal recall repair undone. Two owners were still waiting on parts for the fuel system recall.
Ask the seller for proof that both recalls were completed, the structure recall and the fuel system recall. Ask for service records covering any power loss or stalling. A 2025 is a reasonable alternative.
Compared to the 2025 Kia K5, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2023 Kia K5 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- −STRUCTURE: Exterior trim comes loose, warps, or falls off (5 complaints)
- −ENGINE: Sudden loss of power while driving is the main pattern, including at highway... (4 complaints)
Compare 2024 Kia K5 With

2024 Toyota Camry
Reliability: 83/100

2024 Nissan Altima
Reliability: 82/100

2024 Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 73/100

2024 Subaru Legacy
Reliability: 81/100

2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- STRUCTURE (5)
- ENGINE (4)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2024 Kia K5 carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 5.4
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2024 Kia K5 Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Kia K5. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Kia 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.
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.
STRUCTURE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Consequence
Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.
Buying a used 2024 Kia K5? Check its history first
Structure problems lead owner complaints about the 2024 Kia K5, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2024 Kia K5 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 10.7%
Safety Technologies
Kia K5Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
27–31 MPG
Fuel cost: $1,950–$2,200/yr
Fuel only
24–27 city / 32–37 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2024 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K5 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 27 | 37 | 31 | $1,950 |
| K5 AWD 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,150 |
| K5 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S8) | 24 | 32 | 27 | $2,200 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2024 Kia K5.
Run the VIN for open recalls and confirm the fuel system and rear trim recall repairs were completed.
Inspect rear window chrome, C-pillar garnish, and trunk lid trim for lifting, warping, or missing pieces.
Pull the dipstick and look for metal flakes or glittery oil; ask for oil change records.
Listen at cold start and when fully warm for knocking or a low-oil rattle from the engine.
Drive at highway speed for 30 minutes and watch for power loss, warning lights, or engine management messages.
In stop-and-go traffic, watch for unwanted revving, stalling at stops, or the car refusing to accelerate past idle.
Ask for service records showing repeat visits for stalling, throttle body, wiring harness, or alternator work.
Check the cabin and A/C vents for musty smells, dampness, or mold under the carpets.
2024 Kia K5 Common Problems by Component
20 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STRUCTURE
5 complaintsExterior trim comes loose, warps, or falls off. Most reports center on the rear window chrome and C-pillar garnish, sometimes on both sides, with an abnormal wind sound from the rear window when the trim lifts. Trunk lid trim also detaches, which one filing links to insufficient lamination. A federal recall covers this structure issue, yet some dealers leave the car unrepaired. A separate report describes water entering the cabin from the A/C system, leading to mold growth and health concerns.
ENGINE
4 complaintsSudden loss of power while driving is the main pattern, including at highway speeds as high as 80 mph. Warning lights or an engine management message appear, and in some cases the failure returns after a restart. One report describes a loud noise followed by oil pouring from a smoking engine with no prior warning. Another finds metal flakes on the dipstick and in the filter housing at 2500 miles, with knocking when hot. Dealers often fail to diagnose the problem, and one warranty claim was refused.
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsThe engine revs up and down without pedal input, then stays stuck at idle and will not accelerate. Other reports describe the car suddenly stopping in traffic at 15-20 MPH as though the brakes were slammed, leaving it stranded mid-road and needing a tow. Stalling when coming to a stop and a sudden jerk that nearly hit a freeway barrier also appear. These are loss-of-control and crash risks. Dealers sometimes cannot reproduce the fault, and repairs can leave owners waiting on a loaner.
FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
FUEL SYSTEM
2 complaintsNo actual failures are reported here. Both filings concern a fuel system recall that raises fear of a fire while driving, and both say the recall repair could not be done because parts were not yet available. Owners describe dealers confirming the shortage and the manufacturer taking an unreasonable amount of time, with one owner unable to ship the car as planned. The main issue is a delayed recall fix rather than a breakdown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsThe car shuts off while driving, including at 60 mph on the highway. The dash goes dark, then every warning icon lights up. Some cars restart on the shoulder, but the failure keeps coming back. Dealers frequently find nothing at first. Diagnoses that do surface include a failed throttle body, a main wiring harness fault, and a low alternator reading from a roadside service. Repairs do not always hold, and the sudden stall at speed is a serious crash risk.
SEATS (1 complaints)
SEATS
1 complaintOn 10/20/25 as a rideshare driver one of my riders told me that the right side back seat was lifting. I could not believe what the rider was telling me until one of my family members told me the same thing. I immediately for safety reasons parked the car and started searching about any problems with the gas tank, for my surprise there was a serious safety problem in the car where the gas tank was expanding. The car could have got on fire and exploited putting my family, riders and myself at the risk of death. This was reported to Kia Customer Care on 10/20/2025, case # XXX, and later was complemented with the Kia Customer Care case # XXX. On 11/11/25 Kia America recognized that the car was unrepairable and offered a buyback process which was accepted by me on 11/12/25. It has passed 105 days since the car was parked and not used for ridesharing, my main source of income. During this 105 days Kia Finance America has been demanding payments from me, they have not stopped the billing despite my several request. Kia offered me rent a car through Enterprise which does not allow to do ridesharing with their cars, and also car rental reimbursement which I cannot afford. As of today, my lost income has achieved the amount of $ 33,036.77; this was warned to Kia America since the beginning of the process. Kia America has been very a bureaucratic company, and the buyback process has not been finished due to the lack of check from Kia America to the company Morley. All I want is to finish the buyback process because it is giving me a very bad psychological and economic hardship times. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaintMy vehicle was manufactured with bad rotors, which make it difficult to slow down when driving at high speeds on the highway. The vehicle’s steering wheel and the vehicle itself shakes violently when trying to slow down. My vehicle started having these issues with low mileage also.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintBreak caliper and brake rotors
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintSafety-relatedThe contact owned a 2024 Kia K5. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, another vehicle abruptly crossed into his lane. As a result, the contact's son collided with the rear of the other vehicle. Although equipped, the forward warning collision and automatic emergency braking systems failed to activate, which could have possibly prevented and/or lessened the severity of the collision. The air bags did deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's son was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for a broken wrist. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,400.
Best & Worst Kia K5 Years
Best Kia K5 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
(Current Model)
2023
2021
Kia K5 Years to Avoid
Kia K5 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 83/100 | Excellent |
Kia K5 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 KIA K5 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA K5?
Does the 2024 KIA K5 lose power while driving?
Does the 2024 KIA K5 have recalls?
Is the 2024 KIA K5 better than the 2023 or 2025?
Don’t buy a 2024 Kia K5 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2024 Kia K5
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2024 Kia K5 does best on how many systems draw complaints (81/100) and worst on complaint severity (71/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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