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2026 Kia K5 Problems, Recalls & Complaints

NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints for the 2026 Kia K5, and what to keep if your vehicle keeps going back to the shop.

Written by Amir Guerami, Attorney· Last reviewed

Recall campaigns

1

NHTSA owner complaints as of November 6, 2026, from NHTSA's complaint data files.

14

Data last refreshed (Eastern time)

November 6, 2026

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 K5 and 14 owner complaints; the most-reported component in owner complaints is unknown or other, with 5 reports.

Counts come from NHTSA records for this model year and refresh daily. Complaints are unverified owner reports; one complaint can name more than one component.

Top Reported Problems

Owner complaints grouped by NHTSA component (top 8). Linked components open a page comparing models for that problem.

  1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
  2. LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST2
  3. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
  4. LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING1
  5. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
  6. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1

2026 K5 Recall Records

Campaigns can apply only to specific configurations and production dates. Confirm whether your VIN is affected with NHTSA or the manufacturer.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · 26V046000

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

Check Your VIN at NHTSA

2026 K5 Service Bulletins

A service bulletin is a manufacturer's repair instruction to dealers. It is not a recall and does not by itself establish a defect or a claim.

Manufacturer communications filed with NHTSA for this model year, newest first. A bulletin may apply only to certain configurations. Source data refreshes daily.

NumberDateComponentSummaryNHTSA record
OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R2Jun 18, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMRELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 2) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit…11033980
TSB_ELE419Jun 2, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: BATTERY WIRING HARNESS COVERING INSPECTION / REPLACEMENT (SA645) - This bulletin provides information for inspecting the 12V battery…11033992
TSB_ELE422May 28, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment sy…11033217
OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R1Apr 24, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMRELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 1) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit…11031940
SC363_TSBApr 17, 2026POWER TRAINTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION, AND OLP GASKET AND/OR ATF FILLER BOLT REPLACEMENT OR A/T REPLACEMENT (SC363) - This bull…11031890
SC363_OWNR_DL3Apr 17, 2026POWER TRAINVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2025-202…11031876
SC363_DPSMApr 15, 2026POWER TRAINVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is condu…11031856
SC363_DPApr 15, 2026POWER TRAINVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campai…11031855
TSB_ELE417Apr 14, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparin…11031906
SC363_QAApr 14, 2026POWER TRAINVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC363) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary S…11031889
TSB_ELE413Mar 20, 2026ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) system software on some 2025 11030344
TSB_ENG265Mar 13, 2026ENGINETECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: THETA III 2.5 GDI ECM SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA642) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Module ‘ECM 11030380
TSB_ENG261_R1Feb 10, 2026ENGINETECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised se…11028738
TSB_ENG261Jan 28, 2026ENGINETECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use monitoring pe…11027858
PS797Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ult…11026698
TSB_BOD346Nov 5, 2025UNKNOWN OR OTHERTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: REAR SEAT CARPET FLOORMAT INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SA628) - This Dealer Stock Service Action Technical Service Bulletin provides i…11025767
TSB_ELE397Sep 10, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CCNC – DEALER MODE NETWORK RESET (SA625) - This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function on 2026MY models listed on p…11023099
All 2026 K5 records at NHTSA

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Build Your K5 Repair File

  • Dated repair orders with mileage and diagnosis
  • Whether the same symptom returned after the repair
  • Days unavailable, rental bills and dealer correspondence
  • Purchase or lease contract and warranty documents

Does My Kia K5 Qualify?

A model's recall history cannot answer that question. Your repair attempts, when the problem was first reported and the vehicle-coverage rules in Maryland or D.C. matter. A lawyer can review those facts rather than relying on a model-wide rating.

If Lemon Law does not cover your circumstances, federal warranty or other consumer claims may be worth discussing. No remedy is guaranteed.

Other K5 Model Years

All Kia K5 model years

Still Going Back to the Shop?

Get an individual review of your 2026 Kia K5's repair history. Recall totals do not determine eligibility or guarantee an outcome.

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