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Fuel systemPart report

2021 Kia K5 Fuel system Problems

Complaints
57about this part
Share
34%of 169 total for the year
Median mileage
113,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the fuel system of the 2021 Kia K5, 34% of the 169 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“HVAC is not working at all, not even blowing hot air. I've been told it could be a wiring issue or have to change my blower and resistor. KIA has told me they could not help because my car is over the 60,000 mile warranty. However, my car is 70,000 miles and about 4 years old. It has had other recall issues and just trying to be helped.”

NHTSA complaint #11682417, filed 2025-08

“Manufacturer has failed to remedy the safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner. Vehicle is a fire risk and I am unable to drive it. My vehicle has been sitting at the dealership service center for over a month. I have not been contacted by Kia as of yet even after repeated phone calls and emails for updates.”

NHTSA complaint #11734630, filed 2026-04

“My vehicle is currently under a recall (recall SC356), but I'm currently very far from a Kia dealership. The nearest one is about 175 miles away. I contacted Kia and they informed me that they can't reimburse me for having my car towed to the dealership. So now I am stuck with a car that could possibly catch fire at anytime, according to the recall notice. And they refuse to help me.”

NHTSA complaint #11727249, filed 2026-03

“I brought my car in for the recall regarding the faulty check valve in the fuel tank. My check engine light had also just come on. I have a 2021 Kia K5 with 60,000 miles and the dealership tells me I have to replace all 4 fuel injectors since it's causing a system too lean message.”

NHTSA complaint #11713571, filed 2026-01

“The fuel lid does not function properly. I owned the vehicle for almost 3 years and the fuel lid did not want to open. It was completely stuck after making sure that the vehicle was unlocked, as I always do, when going to put gas. I stood in the gas line for 30 minutes pushing the fuel lid trying to open it and it never budged”

NHTSA complaint #11560382, filed 2023-12

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Fuel system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024516%
20235550%
20224434%
20215734%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia K5

Electrical system
46 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsEngine
30 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 29, 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