2023 Kia K5
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2023 Kia K5 has 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 137. The most common issue is fuel system problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2023 kia k5. the contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. the contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an in. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.
137
Total Complaints
4
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
FUEL SYSTEM
45 complaints- • The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an in
- • I was driving on [XXX] Orlando Florida on [xxx] doing approximately 70 miles an hour when a large explosion occurred out and within my car the whole car shook this happened twice within a 5 mile radius. The car was eventually brought to Kia city in Orlando, where they determined that the fuel system
- • Gas tank expanded and bent the undercarriage up so much it blew off the fuel pump cover and pushed up the back seat.
“The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an in”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2023 Kia K5
Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 27K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
FUEL SYSTEM
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.
Recalls (4)
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2023 Kia K5
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2023 Kia K5
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Kia K5 Service Intervals
Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 137 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that the interior of the vehicle had an abnormal gasoline odor. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was inside and surrounding the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an in
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: My sunroof exploded while driving on Lakeshore drive. I hear a loud boom and I almost crashed. I thought it was my tire or something else look up its my sunroof, I could have hit some one or hit something. It hasn't been inspected or anything as of yet it just happened at 6:30am. This is crazy becau
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: I was involved in a traffic accident on May 29 2023. I was hit on the passenger side sustaining $18,000 in damages. My side air bag never went off.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: MPG is lower then number provided by both dealer and manufactorer (my average 24 city 27 highway ) factoring that i rarely even use climate controls and other fuel consuming things and often turn off engine in mcdonald's drive thru lane
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Kia K5 — Year Comparison
How does 2023 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 137
- Recalls
- 4
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 10
- Injury reports
- 21
- Segment avg
- 137
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2023 Kia K5