NHTSA Safety Recalls
2021 Kia K5 Recalls
The 2021 Kia K5 has 6 NHTSA safety recalls on file. Recall repairs are always free, whatever the car's age or mileage.
A recall covers a range of VINs, not every Kia K5 built. Check your own 17-character VIN before assuming yours is affected.
6 recalls on the 2021 Kia K5
LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST
NHTSA 21V447000- The defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
- The risk
- A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
NHTSA 25V794000- The defect
- 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.
- The risk
- A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- The 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 SC356. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 1, 2025.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
NHTSA 23V149000- The defect
- 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.
- The risk
- Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
- The 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.
Reported July 3, 2023 by Kia America, Inc.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NHTSA 22V760000- The defect
- 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.
- The risk
- Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- The 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.
Reported November 10, 2022 by Kia America, Inc.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA 21V164000- The defect
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
- The fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.
Reported November 3, 2021 by Kia Motors America
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NHTSA 21V519000- The defect
- Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
- The risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.
Reported August 7, 2021 by Kia Motors America
Checking your own car
A recall applies to a range of VINs, not to every 2021 Kia K5 built. To confirm whether yours is affected, find the 17-character VIN on the driver-side dashboard or door jamb and enter it in NHTSA's official lookup.
Repairs for safety recalls are free and never expire. A dealer cannot charge you, and cannot refuse on the grounds that the car is old or out of warranty. If one does, call the NHTSA hotline on 1-888-327-4236.