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Hyundai Sonata vs KIA K5: which has more problems

Hyundai Sonata and KIA K5 side by side: owner complaints by component, problem years, service bulletins and engines. Same data as on each model page.

More complaints often just means more cars sold, so compare the pattern of problems and the years, not only the total.

At a glance

Hyundai Sonata

  • Model years in data: 1987–2026
  • Owner complaints: 16,128 (after a crash 736, fires 0)
  • Complaints per model year (average): 414
  • Service bulletins: 362
  • Worst years: 2011 (3,380), 2013 (1,918), 2012 (1,559)

KIA K5

  • Model years in data: 2021–2026
  • Owner complaints: 511 (after a crash 35, fires 0)
  • Complaints per model year (average): 85
  • Service bulletins: 197
  • Worst years: 2021 (170), 2022 (130), 2023 (112)

Components: owner complaints

Component Hyundai Sonata KIA K5
Engine 4,709 29% 87 17%
Electrical system 1,998 12% 98 19%
Fuel/propulsion system 771 5% 124 24%
Powertrain 1,081 7% 61 12%
Air bags 2,046 13% 27 5%
Steering 2,373 15% 13 3%
Structure 1,072 7% 44 9%
Service brakes 1,239 8% 29 6%
Exterior lighting 1,018 6% 14 3%
Visibility 664 4% 18 4%
Fuel system 0 0% 39 8%
Forward collision avoidance 0 0% 35 7%

Which is more reliable: Hyundai Sonata or KIA K5?

This data alone can't settle it: complaint counts depend on sales. Compare which components draw the most complaints (engine, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system) and which years are worst, then check the specific car by VIN and photos.

Check a specific car by VIN and photos