2023 Kia K5
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2023 Kia K5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.
2023 Kia K5 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2023 Kia K5 recalls 4
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Fix: Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Fix: 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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC263.
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.
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 n…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2023 Kia K5 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2023 Kia K5 safety ratings
Rollover risk: 10.7% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2023 Kia K5 4 DR AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
2023 Kia K5 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2023 Kia K5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2023 Kia K5 — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Loss of Motive Power Closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the s…
NHTSA #DP22003 · Engine · opened Sep 2022 · closed Dec 2023An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 68
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 68.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at upda…
Bulletin TSB_ELE422 · Electrical System · May 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB p…
Bulletin TSB_ELE417 · Electrical System · Apr 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: CHROME TRUNK LID MOLDING REPLACEMENT (CA2514) - This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the chrome trunk lid molding on certain 2023-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from October 3, 2022 throug…
Bulletin TSB_BOD350 · Structure · Mar 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FUEL TANK AND/OR PCSV CHECK VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT + ECU SW UPGRADE (SC288/SC288A) CLOSED & SUPERSEDED - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by SC356. This bulletin provided informa…
Bulletin SC288_TSB_R6_CLSD · Fuel/propulsion System, Electrical System · Jan 2026PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating dis…
Bulletin PS797 · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID AND C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY SC346 - This bulletin is now closed and superseded. This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome g…
Bulletin TSB_BOD322_R2_SUPERSEDED · Structure · Nov 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ITM REPLACEMENT AND ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (CA2511) - This bulletin provides information to replace the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) and then upgrade the Engine Control Module ‘ECM’ system software on certain K5 (DL3a)…
Bulletin TSB_ENG260 · Engine, Electrical System · Nov 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC288 FLIGHT 301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Di…
Bulletin SC288_OWNR_301 · Fuel/propulsion System, Electrical System · Oct 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC288A) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection…
Bulletin SC288A_OWNR · Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System · Jul 2025VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC288) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection…
Bulletin SC288_OWNR_103 · Fuel/propulsion System, Electrical System · Jun 2025Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the K5 FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia K5. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
Issue: On certain vehicles, the check valve for the purge control system could wear and cause the fuel tank to expand. As a result, the fuel tank could contact hot components and fuel could leak. Note: This recall only affects certain vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L turbocharged engine. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify o…
Transport Canada #2025638 · Nov 2025Structure
Issue: On certain vehicles, the exterior trims on the C-pillars may not be properly attached. As a result, the trim(s) could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: Parts that detach from the vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a deale…
Transport Canada #2025398 · Jul 2025Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbag(s) may not have been installed correctly. As a result, the side curtain airbag(s) may not inflate properly in a crash. Safety Risk: A side curtain airbag that doesn't work properly could increase the risk of injury in a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealers…
Transport Canada #2023124 · Mar 2023Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, a fault in the transmission oil pump can cause the vehicle to enter "fail-safe mode". When this happens, a programming error can cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels after 20-30 seconds. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 2.5 L turbo gasoline (T-GDI) engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Safety Risk: A sudde…
Transport Canada #2022580 · Oct 2022Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Kia K5
The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima, is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the Middle East, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
