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What 96 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Kia K5

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (96)Crash / fire / injury (11)Fuel system (45)Body & structure (14)Engine (11)Transmission & drivetrain (11)Brakes (5)Driver assistance (5)Airbags (4)Electrical system (4)Seats (4)Lane Departure (2)

5 of 96 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Jan 30, 2026BrakesDriver assistanceCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and approaching a stop sign exiting a parking lot, as the contact depressed the brake pedal to stop for a commercial truck stopped at the exit, the "collision warning" illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal went soft and depressed to the floorboard. The contact stated that he crashed into the rear of the truck. The contact stated that there was a slight dent in the metal frame of the truck. The contact stated that his vehicle's front grill and both headlight housings were crushed. The contact stated that the hood was crumpled back towards the windshield, and the radiator was punctured and crushed. The contact stated that the police were called and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact had called his insurance provider. The contact stated that he was later driven to the ER by a friend due to neck pain and headaches. The contact stated that he was diagnosed with neck strain and no other injuries. The vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 11714430

Dec 19, 2025SuspensionBrakes

The kia since bought brand new would have alignment issues even after getting alignments every 3-4 months and the dealership claim that they don’t whats causing constant misalignment after seeing theres no signs of external damage. Due to the misalignment it wears down the tires and made one of my tires explode on the road. Also the door seal on the driver side gets a chunk ripped out from just opening and closing the door over time. Also the breaks, whenever I break from speeding to slow down the speed the steering wheel shakes as well

NHTSA ODI 11706162

Sep 3, 2024Electrical systemBrakes

Why is Kia Dealership are allowed to sale cars that have recalls. Knowing that they have recalls and are allowed to sale. why not fix the issues and then sale. Safety Concerns driving and have to kids in the back car 65mph and car shut down breaks don't work or accelerator used the emergency breaks had shut down the car. Took it to the dealership I been calling them status on my car with no information provided. Imaging being behind 18 wheeler my accelerator don't work. Parts for recalls are out stock so why keep cars in the dealership knowing they don't have parts to fix the issues.

NHTSA ODI 11612210

Feb 28, 2024Brakes

2023 Kia K5 GT, 8300 miles. Took car for 1st oil change and dealer said front brake pads and rotors need replaced. $800. The car is driven to school and home. How is this possible? Brakes should not be worn out this fast! Does this mean every oil change appointment will be $800 to replace brakes again. Reading forums this is a common issue for this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11574573

Mar 20, 2023Brakes

This is the letter I sent to Kia: Dear Sirs, I own a 2023 Kia K5 EX that I bought new and currently has about 8500 miles on it. Today, while driving on I95 in Florida, I had my right rear tire blow out. I could tell by the feel of the car that I had a flat before the systems warned me, but that is not why I’m writing you today. While I was working my way over to the right shoulder to stop, all of the waring lights came on and the brakes stopped working. Now I want to be clear. It wasn’t a failure of the brakes themselves. It was not the anti-lock brake system. The brake pedal itself locked and would not let me apply the brakes. Again, I want to be perfectly clear here. I am now driving on a 6 lane highway at about 50 miles and hour on three tires with no working safety systems and I cannot slow down the car. Eventually, the brakes came bake on line and I was able to stop the car. However, If the traffic suddenly slowed down, as is common on South Florida, I would have had no way to avoid a collision. I do not know if this is a programmed response to a tire blow out or a major flaw in your safety systems. If it was designed that way, fire the moron who designed it and have it fixed. If it’s a flaw in the design, have it fixed. I cannot believe how dangerous a car you let me drive. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11512736

Working with the data? Download all 96 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2023 Kia K5 verdict →