YearToAvoid

2025 Kia K5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Good The 2025 Kia K5 has a complaint index of 25, ranking 4th out of 5 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 51 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls, with suspension and electrical issues the most reported.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
25/100
#4 of 5 K5 years
Verdict
Good
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
51
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Top issue
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Best nearby year
2024
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
24.5 city / 34.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Top 2025 Kia K5 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (37%)
  2. Electrical System12 (24%)
  3. Other6 (12%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
  5. Structure & Body5 (10%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers5 (10%)
  7. Engine4 (8%)
  8. Airbags3 (6%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (6%)
  10. Brakes1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report tire pressure monitoring system lights coming on repeatedly for suspension and wheel issues, sometimes returning after dealer repairs.
  • Front tires reportedly developed sidewall bulges around 7,300 miles with no prior warning, raising blowout concerns.
  • Electrical system complaints describe headlights, brake lights, and interior lights suddenly flashing very bright with no warning light illuminated.
  • Some drivers report the battery dying repeatedly even after replacement, leaving the car unable to start overnight.
  • One owner described a complete loss of power while driving about 40 mph on a surface street, with the car restarting after rolling briefly.
  • A transmission complaint describes the car failing to shift out of a gear near 4.2 rpm and then being limited to low speed.
2025 Kia K5 complaints: complaints filed per month7Aug 2024Dec 2024Jun 2025Sep 2025Dec 2025Mar 2026Jun 2026Sep 2026
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2024 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2026 (7).

2025 Kia K5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  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.

  2. NHTSA 25V351000May 27, 2025Electrical System82,281 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC341.

2025 Kia K5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24.5 MPG
Highway
34.5 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2025 compared with other K5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2023Avoid75107428
2024Best030228
2025Good2551228

All Kia K5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2025 Kia K5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 K5 has a complaint index of 25 and earns a Good verdict, ranking 4th out of 5 K5 model years covered.
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Kia K5?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints make up 37% of reports, followed by Electrical System issues at 24%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2025 Kia K5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2025 K5: one for rear window trim pieces that may loosen and detach, and one for a software error that can cause parking lights to flicker. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2025 K5 compare to other K5 years?
The 2025 K5 has a complaint index of 25, better than 2021 (50), 2022 (100), and 2023 (75), but worse than 2024 (0), which is rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2025 Kia K5?
EPA rates the 2025 K5 at 28 mpg combined (24.5 city/34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,325.

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.