Model year 2025 · Large Cars

2025 Kia K5: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2025 Kia K5 at 27–30 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

2

EPA combined mpg

27–30

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2025 Kia K5 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2025 Kia K5, newest first.

Structure: Exterior trim and 1 more component

NHTSA 25V493000 Reported Jul 28, 2025
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC346)
Components
Structure: Exterior trim; Structure: Body: Roof and pillars
Units affected
100,063 (estimate)
Problem
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Exterior lighting: Lighting control module: Software

NHTSA 25V351000 Reported May 27, 2025
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC341)
Units affected
82,281 (estimate)
Problem
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2025 Kia K5 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2025 Kia K5 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
K52.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular25/36/29 mpg$2,300310
K52.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/37/30 mpg$2,250298
K52.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular23/33/27 mpg$2,500331
K5 AWD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 8-speedAll-Wheel DriveRegular24/33/27 mpg$2,500329

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2025 Kia K5 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2025 Kia K5 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2025 Kia K5 4 DR AWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars10.7%Standard
2025 Kia K5 4 DR FWD5 stars4 stars5 stars4 stars10.7%Standard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2025 Kia K5 owner complaints

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2025 Kia K5, most recently on Oct 23, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2025 Kia K5 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Electrical system12
Tires12
Exterior lighting6
Power train6
Unknown or other6
Wheels5
Visibility/wiper4
Air bags3
Engine3
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings3

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Kia K5 model years

Kia K5 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 K527–30 mpg——5/5
2026 K527–30 mpg1145/5
2024 K527–31 mpg2315/5
2023 K527–31 mpg41105/5
2022 K527–32 mpg51295/5
2021 K527–32 mpg61695/5

All Kia K5 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2025 Kia models

2025 Kia Carnival2025 Kia EV62025 Kia EV92025 Kia K42025 Kia Niro2025 Kia Seltos2025 Kia Sorento2025 Kia Soul2025 Kia Sportage2025 Kia Telluride

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Kia.