FaultScore

KIA K5 airbag problems

26 of the 748 complaints filed about the KIA K5 are about the airbag system — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.

26

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

19

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2021 K5 10 38.5%

Median failure at 5,550 miles

2022 K5 9 34.6%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2023 K5 4 15.4%
2025 K5 3 11.5%

What owners said

2021 KIA K5 Fort Myers, FL

AIR BAGS

I purchased a 2021 car in April 2024, which was originally side-swiped in November 2024. I filed an insurance claim and had to wait for the other insurer’s statement. In January 2025, the insurance company sent the car to one of their approved shops for electrical repairs, but the shop refused to work on it after noticing a missing airbag and flagged the car as a liability. They also mentioned the car had multiple past accidents and should have been listed as salvage, not clean title. I informed the dealership, but they refused to service the car, claiming the 30-day window had passed, even though their website states a 6-month warranty. Over the past year, I’ve been repairing the car myself and taking it to Kia and Midas, where I was told the car is in terrible condition. The dealership found water damage from a slow leak and wiring issues that were present when I bought the car. Now I’ve been quoted over $5,000 for repairs including a new computer and electrical work. I’ve tried reaching out to the dealership with no success. This car is essential for commuting to work and for my kids. I’ve had to rent a car for the past month, costing me over $1,000. I’m seeking assistance with this situation as I believe I was sold a defective vehicle without proper disclosure. I put down $4,000 when I purchased the car and have continued making small payments because I need it to commute and can’t afford another vehicle right now. I have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) with Progressive and comprehensive and collision coverage through the dealership’s partnered company, Brio Management, as they operate from the same office. Given these circumstances, I’m asking for help with this situation because I was sold a car with undisclosed damage and defects, and I’ve been left with costly repairs and rental expenses while the dealership won’t assist me.

NHTSA complaint #11720667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 Carthage, TX Crash 2 injured 2 killed

AIR BAGS

My son owned the 2022 Kia s-K5 and lost his life in the same car ...him and my nephew died in this car last [XXX] one month after his [XXX] birthday...he was driving the car hit maybe black ice or the car lock up and went sideways on the payment for .3 of a mile and couldn't pick straits or gain control of the car and then hit a ditch n tree and satellites 2 total with the front of the car rolled the car over into a canal with water in drown and died ..the front air bags never deployed the side ones did but it took a lot of damage on the front were it showed them air bags was defaults and did not perform as a safe device as they are designed for ...then the seat belts were locked and that's cause them to not be able to get out of the car they was trapped in the car so this Kia safety equipment didn't do or perform the job it was intended for so them factors could of very well contribute to them 2 boys deaths so I'm putting an the Kia manufacturer as the responsible ones for building or producing such a bad none safe vehicle that has killed my son and my nephew....I feel that the Kia manufacturer should pay for there negligence and be punished for selling them to the public...it's not fair I'll never see my son again INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11706904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 Beaumont, TX

AIR BAGS

Recall SC263) AIR BAGS THAT DO NOT DEPLOY (SC356)x2 A MELTED FUEL TANK CAN LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE

NHTSA complaint #11704826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA K5 Redding, CA

AIR BAGS

fix

NHTSA complaint #11694593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 La Mesa, CA

AIR BAGS

I have a Kia K5 and was not informed of the SC288 Service campaign Fuel tank Inspection & EMC update (VESC) expansion of fuel tank and explosions' of fuel tanks. My vehicle was not apart of the recall for the fuel tank expanding program. I took my vesical in for service for over heating and it failed the SC288 Service Campaign. my gas tank expanded and caused structural damage to my car. it has been 8 weeks and I have not have had any contact from Kia consumer affairs. I am now with out resolve and I now have to get a lawyer.

NHTSA complaint #11691125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA K5 West Palm Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

the vehicle failed the fuel tank Inspection recall.I have a tech line case open :Case number 25408405 . It has been 46 days since the vehicle has been at the dealership waiting for information from Kia USA . I have been still told to pay for car note that I am financing through Kia itself as well as rental because the dealership doesn’t have any loaners .

NHTSA complaint #11685580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 Glenn Heights, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

Side Curtain and Seat Side Airbags. Unavailable for inspection as Avis Rental Company cleaned the vehicle, removed airbags, and sold at auction as salvage. Side curtain airbags trapped me in the vehicle, and shrapnel from seat side airbag impaled/injured my arm. Combination of Side Curtain and Seat Side airbags, and seat belt, resulted in catastrophic shoulder injuries. Additionally, the gases and powder substance from the airbag deployment caused a severe asthma attack. I was told that the entire interior was covered in a powder substance. Note: It appears that Avis Rental Company rented this vehicle out in violation of Federal Law (FIXING AMERICA'S SURFACE TRANSPORTATION ACT - Public Law 114-94 114th Congress - SEC. 24109. <<NOTE: Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2015.>> RENTAL CAR SAFETY.) as the recall is still showing as unresolved. I had also contact Kia Corporate and Kia Maui to inquire as to whether they had record of the recall being resolved and neither did.

NHTSA complaint #11679191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA K5 Flagstaff, AZ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I am the owner of a 2025 Kia K5 GT-Line that was recently involved in an accident. In the days prior to the crash, I experienced recurring issues including screen reboots while driving and temporary power loss. I do not remember the moment of the accident, and I am currently under medical care for head trauma. I am reporting this because I believe the vehicle may have malfunctioned in a way that contributed to the accident. Please advise if there are known issues with the 2025 K5 GT-Line, and how I can formally report this case for technical investigation.

NHTSA complaint #11671380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 Rockford, IL

AIR BAGS

I recently purchased a Kia k5 2021 gt line awd one month later I noticed there was recall I take to the dealership they let me know it will only take a few hours (3) and I can pick up later the same they call me 3h later and let me know sorry this case is going to take a few weeks and I should pick up rental car and they will pay for my rental so I did I come back one month later nothing as been done they just tell me to wait and they can’t release due to the safety recall the tank has swelled up it has been 3mont now and they still haven’t done anything to the car and I can’t sell the vehicle cause they won’t release it

NHTSA complaint #11661615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA K5 Conway, AR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I was involved in a head on collision, all of my safety warning notified me but my airbags NEVER deployed. This is a serious safety hazard especially with many problems being reported with airbag deployment. The adjuster and collision center both stated at the rate of speed from the accident, the airbags should have definitely deployed. My car was deemed a total loss from the damage even without the deployment.

NHTSA complaint #11650047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 at 62,000 miles Gig Harbour, WA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2022 Kia K5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving stopped at a stop sign, another vehicle traveling at approximately 30 MPH collided with the driver's side door. The air bags did not deployed, resulting in the contacts wife wife sustaining injuries he attributed to the failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a body repair shop but later deemed a total loss by contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact and his wife transported themselves to an area hospital for treatment. Both the contact and his wife were treated for varying levels of pain to their neck and back. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V149000 (Air Bgas), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; the contact was informed that the manufacturer had requested his insurance provider hold the vehicle at the body repair shop pending a review of the incident recorder. The failure mileage was 62,000.

NHTSA complaint #11626499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 KIA K5 Webster Springs, WV Crash

AIR BAGS

While driving on a rural road, a cow ran in front of my vehicle and I collided with it. The car was towed to a repair shop and the estimated cost of repairs was $15,000. The impact was on the front corner of the drivers side of the vehicle. No airbags deployed. It seems to me that with the violence and location of the impact that some airbags should’ve deployed.

NHTSA complaint #11607207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 Stone Mountain, GA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I was involved in an accident where my lane departure warning did not work! I was hit twice, causing significant body damage over19,000 in which my air bags did not deploy!

NHTSA complaint #11572809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 Riverside, CA Crash 1 injured 1 killed

AIR BAGS

While on her way from work, my mother was involved in an accident in her 2021 Kia K5 LXS where she was rear ended at a high speed by a driver not paying attention to the road and she ended up hitting the car in front of her. During the accident NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEVELOPED. My mother was hospitalized for a month and do to the SEVERITY OF HER MAJOR INJURIES (rib fractures, a closed fracture of her T7-T8 with loss of sensation and mobility of lower half of body) she passed away from “Effects Of Blunt Spinal And Rib Cage Trauma.” No recalls were noted for this particular model and year until March of 2023 which was way too late.

NHTSA complaint #11557151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA K5 Houston, TX Crash 6 injured

AIR BAGS

I was in a car accident on 6/30/23. I was side swiped and the front airbag deployed and exploded in my face, knocking me unconscious and leaving me with chemical burns. I had a grade 2 concussion so it's hard to remember a lot. I was taken to the hospital. And drivers and passengers from 3 other vehicles were also taken to area hospitals.

NHTSA complaint #11532035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA K5 Warwick, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11526279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 San Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V149000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11521419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 Texarkana, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I had a single vehicle collision and ran into a ditch, none of my airbags deployed and I had a sternal fracture from hitting my chest so hard on the steering wheel. My vehicle was totaled as well.

NHTSA complaint #11512391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA K5 Burleson, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I was rearended into another vehicle at a speed of about 50mph, then rearended again by and SUV, not one of my 9 airbags deployed.

NHTSA complaint #11504460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 KIA K5 Katy, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

While driving at 40 mph a vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled out into my lane causing me to struck the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The airbags deployed in the truck that failed to stop but the airbags in my car failed to deploy resulting in several injuries to my head, neck, back, shoulders, abdomen and fractured spine. Police and EMT were called and arrived on scene. I was then transported to the ER via personal vehicle. I have since followed up with my primary care physician along with more tests, lab work and more imaging.

NHTSA complaint #11498765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA K5 problems