AI Damage2022 KIA K5: common problems
Owners of the 2022 KIA K5 filed 129 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and engine. The maker issued 113 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 129
- involving a crash
- 15
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 113
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 22% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 9% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 35 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Engine: 28 complaints (22% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 70.
- Powertrain: 21 complaints (16% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Forward collision avoidance: 12 complaints (9% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 129 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 0 | 13 |
| Engine | 28 | 2 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 2 | 70 |
| Powertrain | 21 | 3 | 18 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 4 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 2 | 6 |
| Air bags | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| Structure | 8 | 1 | 8 |
| Seats | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 13 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and came to a complete stop in the middle of the roadway. The contact did not attempt to restart the vehicle.
After purchase the car brakes have built up 2 times in 5 months the car stalled it has rpm issues lagging and hesitation as well as the safety front end collision has malfunctioned and it locked my brakes up I did all the steps to try to fix it and I ended up having to disconnect the battery.
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.
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.
Very key integral parts were involved and I have had alignment issues, A/C and heating issues, electrical problems including safety features (lane change, etc) and heavy suspension damage. It took almost 5 months to fix everything on my car insurance company/shop; mostly using aftermarket parts to save money.
No warning lights illuminated. The driver sustained arm injuries due to the air bag deployment. No medical attention was received as of yet. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted.
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!
While breaking the steering wheel cut hard right, went to brake even more and the steering locked up and was unable to move properly. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 482 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 23% most complained about).
On average one model year of the K5 has 82 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 129, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAINGN
REIMBURSEMENT FORM (SC307 Flight#301) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to…
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN & WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC307/WTY037) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to relocate and install an improved blower motor 40amp fuse, with an…
- 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…
- TECHNICAL 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…
- TECHNICAL 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…
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been made…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY…
- PITSTOP
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…
- TECHNICAL 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…
- VOLUNTARY 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…
- VOLUNTARY 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…
NHTSA lists 113 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2022 KIA K5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 129. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (32%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%), A/C or heater (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 KIA K5?
NHTSA lists 113 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2022 KIA K5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2022 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.