Kia K5: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
511 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia K5, model years 2021 to 2026. No model year stands out for the engine or transmission against the others. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 K5 | 170 | — | 6 | |
| 2022 K5FEW REPORTS | 130 | — | 5 | |
| 2023 K5FEW REPORTS | 112 | — | 4 | |
| 2024 K5FEW REPORTS | 31 | — | 2 | |
| 2025 K5FEW REPORTS | 54 | — | 2 | |
| 2026 K5FEW REPORTS | 14 | — | 1 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Kia models
Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia Niro · Kia Optima · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Soul · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 2021