2021 Kia K5 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 18%of 169 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Kia K5, 18% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While I was driving on the interstate, I heard and abnormal about of noise coming from the engine bay as well as a scratch while I was driving. This happened on march 26, 2021 at 10pm. On march 29, 2022 I took it to the dealer ship and I was notified that my engine cover came off and was the cause of the noise. There's damage to my driver side fender, rubbing to the wheel/tire and my fog light housing is hanging.”
NHTSA complaint #11405416, filed 2021-03, 3,285 miles“Vehicle was stopped a red light on a city street when suddenly cut off. Smoke began to pour out from under the hood. Less than 1 minute later the vehicle was fully involved under the hood of car. Car was a total loss. Vehicle had just been driven approximately 25 miles (all highway) from home towards work when incident occurred.”
NHTSA complaint #11416535, filed 2021-05, 3,000 miles“While driving the vehicle and after it is parked and engine is turned off the cooling system ( coolant reservoir on upper right side of engine are) allows antifreeze vapors and high pressure to escape into engine area. When parking in a garage there is a very strong smell of coolant. Dealer has verified that the radiator cap appears to act as a vent allowing vapors to escape the system.”
NHTSA complaint #11404009, filed 2021-03, 75 miles“One day I was driving my car when suddenly I heard a loud explosion sound from the back. I continued to drive the car until I could pull over to inspect the car. In the midst of pulling the car over I began smelling a strong odor of gas in the cabin of the car. Prior to stopping the car started skipping and missing badly. I pulled over checked the car and discovered something malfunctioned and caused the rear seat to pop up and be bent from the frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #11508811, filed 2023-02“Main wiring harness melted in my fuse box, had to pay $5000 to replace, turbo leaked into my engine and cause for the engine to blow! Hadn’t even had the car a year !! This is getting ridiculous.”
NHTSA complaint #11661765, filed 2025-05Related service bulletins
- 11025760Nov 19, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ITM REPLACEMENT AND ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (CA2511) - This bulletin provides information to replace the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) and…
- 10179237Aug 18, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SERVICE ACTION: LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE ROUTING INSPECTION AND/OR ADJUSTMENT (SA432) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and if necessary…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Kia K5
57 complaintsElectrical system
46 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
9 complaintsLane departure
9 complaintsSeats
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia K5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology