YearToAvoid

2023 Kia K5 Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2023 Kia K5, 18% of that year's 107 total complaints, with median failure mileage of 33,884. A related recall (25V493000) covers loosening rear window trim, and two crashes and three injuries are tied to this area.

Structure & Body complaints
19
18% of 107
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
33,885 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Rear window/C-pillar chrome trim pieces loosen and detach, in several cases flying off at highway speed and nearly striking other vehicles.
  • Trunk lid trim below the rear windshield separates or partially detaches, sometimes identified during dealer inspection as needing replacement.
  • Sunroof glass has shattered while driving with no impact, scattering glass onto the road behind the vehicle.
  • Front bumper clips and the front splash guard have detached unexpectedly, including after driving in rain, creating a road hazard for trailing traffic.
  • Owners report parts shortages delaying recall repairs for the loose rear trim, with dealers confirming backordered components.

When 2023 Kia K5 body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 9, 2023, latest Jul 22, 2026.

2023 Kia K5 structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month3Jun 2023Feb 2025Apr 2025Jul 2025Dec 2025Mar 2026Jun 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2023 to Jul 2026; peak Jan 2026 (3).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2023 Kia K5

  1. NHTSA 25V493000Jul 28, 2025Structure & Body100,063 vehicles

    Structure:exterior trim

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.

    Risk: 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.

Structure & Body complaints by K5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202118 (11%)
  2. 202216 (13%)
  3. 202319 (18%)
  4. 20248 (27%)
  5. 20255 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does NHTSA have for the 2023 Kia K5?
NHTSA lists 19 Structure & Body complaints for the 2023 K5, which is 18% of the 107 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2023 Kia K5 trim issue?
Yes. Recall 25V493000 covers 2023-2025 K5 vehicles where left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach; dealers inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies free of charge.
At what mileage do these structure and body problems tend to show up?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2023 K5 is 33,884 miles.
Have these body issues caused any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area for the 2023 K5 shows 2 crashes and 3 injuries reported.
How does the 2023 K5 compare to other K5 years for this problem area?
The 2023 K5's 19 Structure & Body complaints represent 18% of its total complaints, higher than the 2021 K5's 11% and 2022 K5's 13%, though lower than the 2024 K5's 27% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.