Last updated: 2026-03-04

2024 Kia K5 Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2024 Kia K5 scores 77/100 ("Good"). With 2 recalls and 20 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
Recalls
2
Complaints
20
Complaint Rate
4.3
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
N/A
Major Repair Risk
N/A
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
2 recalls on record
Should You Buy the 2024 Kia K5?
The 2024 Kia K5 scores 77/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory.
With 20 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to structure (5). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
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 and water intrusion (5 complaints)
- ENGINE: Metal flakes found in the oil, engine noise, and loss of power (4 complaints)
Compare 2024 Kia K5 With
2024 Toyota Camry
Score: 83/100
2024 Hyundai Sonata
Score: 73/100
2024 Nissan Altima
Score: 82/100
2024 Honda Accord
Score: 76/100
2024 Chevrolet Malibu
Score: 80/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
- STRUCTURE (5)
- ENGINE (4)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
- FUEL SYSTEM (2)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- SEATS (1)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)
- SERVICE BRAKES (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2024 Kia K5 has 2 recalls on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
4.3
per 10k soldSegment avg: 4.6
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0
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.
2024 Kia K5 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 10.7%
Safety Technologies
Kia K5 Repair 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.
When Buying a Used 2024 Kia K5
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect engine for metal flakes in oil
- Test for engine noise and knocking during acceleration
- Verify power train for sudden stops or stalling
- Check electrical system for sudden power loss while driving
- Ensure all exterior trim is secure and not loose
- Inspect for water intrusion and mold in cabin
- Confirm fuel system recall repairs are completed
Check Any 2024 Kia K5's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2024 K5 in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Kia K5 with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2024 Kia K5 Common Problems by Component
20 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STRUCTURE
5 complaintsOwners report several structural issues with the 2024 Kia K5, primarily involving exterior trim and water intrusion. Complaints frequently mention trim pieces, such as the C-Pillar garnish and rear window trim, becoming loose or detaching, with some owners noting abnormal wind noise as a symptom. Water intrusion from the A/C system is also reported, leading to mold growth inside the cabin, which is cited as a potential health concern. These issues are noted at various mileages, with one specific case at approximately 44,000 miles. No safety implications such as crashes or loss of control are mentioned in the complaints.
ENGINE
4 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Kia K5 report engine issues, often involving metal flakes found in the oil, engine noise, and loss of power. Complaints frequently mention engine knocking, oil leakage, and sudden power loss without warning lights, typically occurring between 2,500 and 12,780 miles. Some owners experience complete engine shutdowns while driving, leading to potential safety risks such as loss of control on highways. These issues sometimes result in extended periods at the dealership without resolution, impacting vehicle reliability for potential buyers.
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Kia K5 frequently report issues with the power train, particularly involving sudden stops and erratic engine behavior. Common symptoms include the car abruptly stopping as if the brakes were applied forcefully, engine revving inconsistently without driver input, and the vehicle stalling when coming to a stop. These issues are noted at low mileages, with one report involving a vehicle with only 800 miles on the odometer. Safety implications are evident as owners describe situations where the loss of power could have led to dangerous scenarios, such as nearly causing accidents or losing control near freeway barricades. This information is crucial for potential buyers to consider, especially if evaluating the model for reliability and safety.
FUEL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
FUEL SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Kia K5 report issues related to a recall concerning the fuel system, specifically NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000. The primary concern is the unavailability of parts necessary for the recall repair, which has led to delays in addressing potential safety risks. Although no actual failures, such as fires or other incidents, have been reported by the owners, the delay has impacted some owners' plans, such as vehicle shipping. These complaints do not specify mileage ranges, but they highlight frustration with the manufacturer's timeline for providing a resolution.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners of the 2024 Kia K5 report issues with the electrical system, specifically experiencing sudden loss of power while driving, with incidents occurring at highway speeds of around 60 mph. Symptoms include the dashboard going out, all indicator lights illuminating, and the vehicle losing motive power. These problems are reported at low mileages, around 3,000 miles, and have recurred even after dealer visits and repairs. Dealers have struggled to diagnose the issues, initially attributing them to the alternator, throttle body, and main wiring harness array. These failures have safety implications due to the potential for loss of control at high speeds.
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.
When Do 2024 Kia K5 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Kia K5 Years
Best Kia K5 Years to Buy
The best Kia K5 year is 2025 with a reliability score of 79/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2024 (77/100) and 2023 (71/100).
2025
2 recalls · 29 complaints
2024(this page)
2 recalls · 20 complaints
2023
4 recalls · 81 complaints
Kia K5 Years to Avoid
No Kia K5 years are statistical outliers in our data — all years score consistently.
See full Kia K5 years-to-avoid analysis →Kia K5 Reliability Score Trend
Kia K5 reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 76/100 compared to 70/100 for older years.
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 |
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?
How many recalls does the 2024 Kia K5 have?
Is the 2024 Kia K5 expensive to maintain?
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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