10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Kia K5 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2021 Kia K5 Owner Comments

problem #8

Sep 042023

K5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Loss of power. Check engine light came

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 012022

K5

  • miles
Very bad transmission slip during acceleration from stop and at highway speed

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #6

Apr 032023

K5

  • miles
My vehicle has been experiencing shifting delays when accelerating. Often times when I stop accelerating my vehicle has a delay and remains revved up for a few seconds before the RPM's go back down. The sluggish/delayed acceleration presents a safety issue when the vehicle is not operating as it should. This issue has been occurring for about 6 months. I informed the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and have the routine maintenance done and they say there are no issues reported about the issues I have been having. I addressed the issue again over the weekend when I had my oil change and tire rotation on April 1, 2023 and I have been told the same thing that there are no issues reported. But the dealership fails to report the issue I had addressed the first time.

- Manassas Park, VA, USA

problem #5

Dec 142021

K5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brand new vehicle purchused off show room floor with 4 miles on it. 3 months after ownership, when push to start the car. The steering wheel will lock up, unable to drive and a systems check will display on the dash. It does not stop, until you turn the car off and on several times, with no set amount of times until the car is drivable again. The car has been brought to Kia several times for service, but they have never been able to determine a reason. A lemon law was filed and completed in 2022. The car since then has continued to have the steering wheel lock up randomly when starting it and has even progressed to doing it while driving on the highway!!! no recall from Kia has been issued. They are just waiting for someone to die!

- Cookeville, TN, USA

problem #4

Jun 132021

K5

  • miles
This report is being filed as a duplicate to 11488885, as this issue occurred twice. Please see 11488885 for details, as issue was exactly the same. I have attached the dealership repair invoices for both incidents as I forgot to do so in 11488885.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

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problem #3

Sep 072022

K5

  • miles
1. Car has completely lost power during normal driving. Transmission failure. Loss of Motive power. It is available for inspection upon request 2. Car lost all motive power while on the highway, car had to coast to a stop. This was very dangerous. 3. Car was taken to the Kia dealership, diagnosed by their techs, and transmission replaced. This has occurred two times since the car was purchased new. First at 4,600 miles (6/13/2021), second at 16,600 miles (9/7/2022). Both times dealership replaced the transmission 4. Both times this occurred the check engine light illuminated and a warning to pull over immediately. There were no prior symptoms when this occurred. The failures happen suddenly. There is apparently already a recall for this issue for the Hyundai vehicles that have this very same engine/DCT combination. Recall #236. This same issue is also occurring on the 2021+ Kia Sorento and 2021+ K5 GT 2.5L

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #2

Jan 262021

K5

  • miles
Does not always shift like it is supposed

- Frankfort, OH, USA

problem #1

Dec 172020

K5

  • 298 miles
Transmission requires total replacement within 5 days of purchase of new car. Vehicle was parked when transmission fluid leak was discovered. It was driven back to the dealer, which is nearby, but this experience has shaken our faith in the safety and build quality of this 2021 Kia K5 GT-line.

- Tyrone, GA, USA

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