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2021 Kia K5 driver assistance problems

14 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
8%
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Warnings
    5
  • Blind spot detection
    3
  • Automatic emergency braking
    3
  • Rearview system braking
    2
  • Lane keep: steering assist
    2
  • Assist
    2
  • Warning
    1
  • Adaptive cruise control
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia K5 driver assistance problems in other years

202120222023202420252026

Related recalls

Lane departure: lane keep: steering assistReported June 14, 2021 · 846 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Risk
A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213.

Recall number 21V447000 · Recall details

What 2021 Kia K5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · GA

I Heard a loud noise in the backseat twice and noticed the back seat raise up also the check engine light came on but also the fuel was going down and up (the gauge), is currently at the kia dealership and has been reported fail recall

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KY

The steering wheel became stiff all the sudden and became hard to turn. As well as all the warning lights came on when that happened such as Adaptive Cruise Control Automatic Emergency Braking Blind Spot Warning Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Lane Keeping Assistance Parking Collision Warning Rear Cross Traffic Warning. I was driving in the middle of the road when this happened and this could’ve caused a huge accident due to the fact that I couldn’t steer my car properly. No, the problem has not been resolved yet. It is in the dealership at the moment to be inspected. There was no problem prior to the other signs coming on besides low tire pressure. The appeared as I was driving on the road.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

My 2021 Kia K5 EX has a severe and unsafe steering problem. The vehicle consistently pulls hard to the right on its own, even on straight roads. If I loosen my grip even slightly, the car immediately veers to the right. The steering wheel does not stay centered, and I have to constantly fight the steering just to keep the car in the lane. This issue has continued despite multiple alignments, tire replacements, and inspections. Nothing has fixed the problem, and the steering behavior feels mechanical or electronic in nature. I no longer feel safe driving the vehicle because it feels like I could lose control at any time. Additionally, my vehicle is affected by the open recall (SC356 / the federal safety agency 25V794) involving fuel tank expansion and fire risk. The status says ‘Incompleted – remedy not available,’ meaning there is currently no repair solution. The combination of a steering defect and a fire-risk recall makes this vehicle unsafe to operate. I am reporting this because the steering issue appears to be a serious safety defect that needs investigation.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Driver assistance · CA

The reverse braking feature registers cross traffic or movement that is not near the back of the vehicle. This cause the braking system to engage. I was doing a U turn on 4 lane main street with a center divider. I didnt fully clear the turn leaving me to reverse to complete to turn. When i put the car in reverse, the sensors picked up movement across the street, engaging the brakes and leaving me stuck in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic coming straight at me. It would not disengage when I tried accelerating and I had to quickly throw my car into drive and pull into a driveway, that was luckily there, just to avoid being T-boned by oncoming traffic. This is not the first occurance as it happens often in parking lots locking my brakes due to any movement from behind. There is a manual feature in the dashboard to turn it off but it automatically resets every time the car is turned off, requiring you to have to manually disengage the feature everytime and you cannot disengage while the brakes are locked.i took it to the dealers but they said since it is a "feature" it is not considered a safety issue since there is an option to disengage even though it has to be reset during every use. They could not help or remedy the issue and instructed me to file a complaint with Kia manufactures since they are only the Kia dealer.

Filed Jul 29, 2025 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · VA

Check engine light came on and when filling up my gas tank, gas spit back out at me which has happened with the fuel tank i had in it last year and has since been replaced. Forward collision, EBS, traction control and forward safety sensor lights came on the next day and the car is running extremely rough. It was towed to a shop to see if it has to do with the fuel tank recall. Multiple people in Roanoke, Virginia are having the exact same problem as is a large portion of people online complaining about the exact same thing. Some going back 30 weeks ago.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Driver assistance, Steering · FL

The vehicle consistently pulls sharply to the right while driving, creating a serious safety hazard. As soon as I release the steering wheel, the car veers aggressively to the right, making it difficult to stay in the lane. The steering wheel does not center and requires constant correction. The issue feels mechanical and significantly impacts my ability to drive safely.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · GA

Vehicle will occasionally fail to properly initialize its safety systems, causing ABS, Traction Control, FCW, warning, auto stop, auto hold lights to come on and the aforementioned systems to fail. This disables driver assist features and important safety systems. Kia Dealer does not attempt to resolve. Claims that “we parked too close to a tree and the vehicle thinks it was in an accident” would like further investigation from Kia to be performed regarding this issue.

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 17,951 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Lane Assist feature would illuminate without other vehicles nearby. The contact also stated that the vehicle would independently switch lanes independently; causing the contact to forcefully adjust the steering wheel into the desired lane to prevent a potential crash. The contact manually disabled the features; however, the features independently reactivated. In addition, the defroster failed to operate as needed which obstructed her vision due to fog on the windshield. The vehicle was initially taken to a dealer, but the contact was offered no assistance. The contact then took the vehicle to Kia of Irvine (45 Oldfield Building B, Irvine, CA 92618) where two mechanics acknowledged the failure while test driving the vehicle. The contact was assured by the dealer that both safety features where disabled; however, within minutes of leaving the dealer; the features independently reactivated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 17,951. The consumer called to make an appt due to the check engine light illuminating and informed vehicle will not be repaired for a few weeks. In the meantime the gas smell is pouring through the vents.

Filed Dec 14, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 32,077 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2021 Kia K5. The contact stated that the driver assist feature would activate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and shifted from park to drive to deactivate the driver assist feature and continued driving to his destination. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,077.

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

In this car, when braking or using the adaptive cruise control, the car shakes a lot, making yo lose control of the vehicle.

Questions about the 2021 Kia K5 driver assistance

Does the 2021 Kia K5 have driver assistance problems?

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2021 Kia K5, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2021 Kia K5 driver assistance problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Kia K5 driver assistance?

Yes, 1 recall: 21V447000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Kia K5 have the most driver assistance problems?

The Kia K5 model years with the most driver assistance complaints are 2022 (17 complaints) and 2021 (14 complaints).

Other 2021 Kia K5 problems

Fuel system 59Electrical 46Engine 32Transmission 19Airbags 10Body 10Brakes 10Seats 8Steering 7Visibility 5Lights 3Acceleration 2Tires 1

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