Last updated: 2026-10-10

Kia K5

Kia K5 Years to Avoid

6 scored model years (2021–2026) · model average 75/100

Skip the 2022 model year. Owners report a melting HVAC fuse that kills heat and AC, sudden loss of power, and a fuel tank that swells and pushes the rear seat up. The 2024 is the year to buy, with far fewer complaints per car sold.

Verdict

Avoid
2022 69/100
Buy
2024 77/100
Model average
75/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Kia K5 Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Kia K5 average of 75/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202269/100Good5106Electrical System (19)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

69
GoodReliability score: 69 out of 100, rated Good

2022 Kia K5

Three problems stack up. The under-hood fuse box overheats and melts at the HVAC fuse, ending heat, AC and defrost. Many owners report sudden loss of power, with the engine revving but the car not accelerating. The fuel tank can expand with a loud bang and lift the rear seat. Several owners say Kia offered to buy the car back.

5 recalls106 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (19), Power Train (14), Fuel Propulsion System (13), Air Bags (9), Unknown Or Other (6), Structure (6)

View full 2022reliability report →

What Are Common Kia K5 Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

60 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2022, 2025

2021: The HVAC blower circuit fails most often.

POWER TRAIN

45 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2021, 2023

2022: The most common complaint is a sudden loss of power.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

42 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2021, 2022

2023: The fuel tank swells while driving, often with a loud bang from the rear, and pushes the back seat up by several inches.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

33 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2023, 2025

2021: Air conditioning that cuts out for hours or days is the most common report.

STRUCTURE

29 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2021, 2022

2023: Exterior trim works loose and falls off.

AIR BAGS

23 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2021, 2023

2022: All 9 complaints come after crashes, and most say the front air bags or all of them failed to deploy.

Best Kia K5 Year to Buy Instead

77
GoodReliability score: 77 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Kia K5

Among years on the road at least two years, 2024 draws far fewer complaints per car sold than 2022 or 2023, and it has two recalls against five for 2022. Its reports lean toward loose exterior trim, not melting fuses or swelling fuel tanks. A few engine power-loss reports exist, so ask for service records.

Score: 77/100 (Good)2 recalls20 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Kia K5 has 2 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Kia K5 Years by Generation

Kia K5 Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which KIA K5 years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2022. Site analysis puts it well below the model's own average. It has the highest complaint rate of any year, with melting HVAC fuses, sudden power loss, and fuel tank swelling. Buy a 2024 instead.
Which KIA K5 years have transmission problems?
Power train complaints rank among the top three for 2022, 2023 and 2024. The 2022 reports are the most serious: the engine revs but the car will not accelerate, and shifts turn jerky or slip. Many of those reports cluster between 31,000 and 38,000 miles.
Is the 2023 KIA K5 a bad year?
Not one to avoid, but it is among the two lowest-rated years. It has four recalls and 81 owner complaints, led by fuel system trouble and power train faults. The 2024 has far fewer complaints per car sold, so it is the safer choice.
Is the 2021 KIA K5 worth buying?
It needs a careful look. Electrical complaints dominate, with 34 reports, and two fire reports are on file. The 2021 also carries six recalls, the most of any year. Confirm that all recall work and electrical repairs are documented.
Are the 2025 and 2026 KIA K5 safe to buy?
They rate highest, but newer years have had little time to collect complaints. The 2026 has only two filings. That makes them promising, not proven. If you want a year with a track record, the 2024 is the better-tested choice.

How we score every Kia K5 model year

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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