VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN & WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC307/WTY037) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to relocate and install an improved blower motor 40amp fuse, with an increased terminal width, within the front wiring harness fuse box assembly in certain 2021-2022 MY K5 vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 7 high-heat states (AZ, FL, HI, LA, MS, NV, and TX). In addition, Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage to all owners for repairs related to the HVAC blower motor in 2021-2022 MY K5 vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 yea
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Kia K5 electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Kia K5 have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 K5 (this page) | 40 |
| 2022 K5 | 19 |
| 2023 K5 | 3 |
| 2024 K5 | 5 |
| 2025 K5 | 10 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 40 electrical complaints filed for the 2021 Kia K5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Kia K5 we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 40.
Owners have filed 40 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAINGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (SC307 Flight#301) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the Voluntary Service Campaign program launch.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, in‑vehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FUEL TANK AND/OR PCSV CHECK VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT + ECU SW UPGRADE (SC288/SC288A) CLOSED & SUPERSEDED - This bulletin is now closed and superseded by SC356. This bulletin provided information to inspect the fuel evaporative system and, if necessary, replace the fuel tank and/or the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) check valve on certain 2021-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles equipped with a Gamma II 1.6L T-GDI engine, produced from March 27, 2020 through January 23, 2024. This bulletin also provides information to upgrade the ECU software logic. The subject vehicles may experience fuel tank swelling due to an issue with the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2021 Kia K5 report a serious cluster of electrical failures centered on the HVAC blower circuit and broader powertrain issues. The most prevalent complaint involves the blower motor fuse (commonly 40A) and wiring harness melting or burning inside the fuse box—a defect owners describe as a fire hazard. Kia issued a warranty extension to relocate the blower motor fuse to another circuit, but owners report that after this procedure, blower relays burned and the underlying wiring harness remained damaged. Replacing just the relay or blower motor does not resolve the issue; the fuse and harness continue to fail, and dealerships are quoting $5,000–$6,000 for a complete wiring harness and fuse box replacement—costs outside original warranty in many cases.
Owners also report stalling and power loss while driving, sometimes on highways, accompanied by illuminated check engine lights. One owner experienced a fuel tank expansion with fuel bubbling from the tank, causing engine shutdown at highway speed with a child passenger. Additional electrical failures include door lock/window mechanisms that malfunction intermittently, driver-assist features (lane-keep, adaptive cruise) that activate unexpectedly, media screens that black out mid-drive, climate-control modules that cycle on and off uncontrollably, and seat adjusters that move during operation without user input. Multiple owners report that dealerships acknowledge these as known issues but refuse repair or demand payment for parts they believe are manufacturing defects.
Same Kia K5 electrical reports on nearby years: 2022
Failure modes owners describe
HVAC blower fuse and wiring harness melting/burning at fuse box
Owners report the blower motor fuse (typically 40A) and wiring harness melting or burning inside the fuse box, creating an electrical fire hazard. This defect persists even after Kia's warranty extension procedure (relocating the fuse to another circuit). Replacing only the fuse, relay, or blower motor does not resolve the root cause; the wiring and fuse continue to fail intermittently.
When: Mileage varies; failures observed starting around 20k miles through 62k+ miles; some occurring within first year of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor stops working intermittently; Fuse melted or burned in fuse box; Wiring harness melted or fused together; AC stops blowing after brief operation; AC/heat cycles on and off with no pattern; Unable to defog or defrost windshield; Visible smoke or burning smell from fuse box
Repairs/costs cited: Kia warranty extension provided fuse relocation to different circuit, but owners report this does not fix the underlying harness issue. Dealerships quote $5,000–$6,000 for full wiring harness and fuse box replacement. Some owners report replacing fuse, relay, blower motor, and resistor multiple times without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued warranty extension for HVAC motor fuse relocation; however, owners report Kia refuses to cover full wiring harness replacement as a design defect and claims it is customer responsibility. Dealership service advisers acknowledge this is a known issue but state Kia will not authorize repair beyond the fuse-relocation procedure.
Stalling and loss of power while driving
Vehicle experiences severe stalling and complete power loss while driving at highway and city speeds, sometimes with child passengers on board. Failures occur unpredictably and place vehicle in unsafe traffic situations. Check engine light illuminates in most cases. Some owners report fuel contamination or fuel tank issues as contributing factors.
When: Occurs both immediately after parking and during active driving; some failures within first week of ownership; at various mileages including 20k, 32k, and 62k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Engine stalls completely while driving; Loss of all engine power while at highway speeds; Hesitation and violent shaking when accelerating; Vehicle will not accelerate beyond 10–20 mph before stalling; Engine shutdown during freeway traffic; Failure to start after parking
Codes mentioned: P0451 – EVAP System Pressure Sensor (noted in one complaint)
Repairs/costs cited: Southwest Kia and other dealers have inspected and worked on vehicles experiencing stalling, but defect continues. One owner reports dealership blamed contaminated gas and charged $2,000 for fuel-line cleaning and spark plug replacement; fuel tank was replaced free of charge at later service, but stalling recurred. Another owner reports no proper diagnostics or repair performed by dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships have acknowledged the issue but declined to perform full diagnostics or provide warranty repair in some cases. One owner reports dealership refused further service after initial diagnosis.
Fuel tank expansion and EVAP system failure
Owner reports fuel tank expanded, causing fuel to bubble and spit from the tank opening. This defect caused check engine light (P0451) and immediate engine shutdown at highway speed with child passenger. Owner towed vehicle to Kia dealership; as of August 2025, dealership confirmed tank expansion but stated no resolution exists from Kia. Potential for frame shift and vehicle being declared a total loss.
When: Occurred shortly after highway entry; vehicle had just been purchased; diagnosis confirmed June–August 2025
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping sound before incident; Check engine light illuminated (P0451 – EVAP System Pressure Sensor); Complete loss of engine power on highway at 65–70 mph; Fuel bubbling and spitting from gas tank; Hazard lights activated; vehicle cut across four lanes of traffic to shoulder
Codes mentioned: P0451 – EVAP System Pressure Sensor
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership (Kia Mall of Georgia) confirmed fuel tank expansion as of August 20, 2025, but stated no manufacturer resolution exists for this condition. Potential for frame damage and total loss declaration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No resolution from Kia as of August 2025 for fuel tank expansion defect. Dealership noted issue is not a recall but rather an emissions campaign issue.
Driver-assist features (lane-keep, adaptive cruise control) activating unexpectedly
Lane-keep and adaptive cruise control features illuminate and engage without other vehicles nearby or driver input. Vehicle independently switches lanes, forcing driver to take forceful corrective steering action to prevent crashes. Features remain disabled briefly after manual deactivation but independently reactivate within minutes. Defroster also failed to operate during testing, obstructing vision.
When: Occurred at various speeds and locations; failure mileage noted at 17,951 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Lane Assist feature illuminates without nearby vehicles; Vehicle independently switches lanes; Features reactivate after being manually disabled; Defroster failed to operate, causing windshield fogging; Check engine light illuminated; gas smell pouring through vents
Repairs/costs cited: Two mechanics at Kia of Irvine acknowledged failure during test drive and assured owner features were disabled, but features reactivated within minutes of leaving dealership. Vehicle has not been repaired; check engine light remains on and gas smell continues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and provided case number; however, vehicle remains unrepaired. Dealership offered no assistance at initial visit; subsequent dealer visit provided temporary assurance but no actual repair.
Door lock, window, and power seat electrical malfunctions
Door panel lights flash on and off intermittently; power window mechanisms fail to operate; door locks and unlocks malfunction, creating entrapment risk. Power seats move and adjust unexpectedly during driving, returning to saved settings without user command. Multimedia screen blacks out, cutting off navigation and audio mid-drive.
When: Issues occur intermittently with no predictable pattern; raised early in ownership; persisted beyond warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Door panel lights flash intermittently; Windows will not roll down; Doors will not lock/unlock properly; Power seat adjusts unexpectedly while vehicle is in motion; Media/multimedia screen blacks out during driving; Navigation guidance cuts out mid-drive; Audio and music stops without user action
Repairs/costs cited: Initial door panel replacement did not resolve issue. Dealership requested video evidence of malfunction (which owner obtained). Owner expressed concern about issue persisting past warranty; dealership stated it would be fixable if reported during warranty period, but subsequently dismissed owner's concerns. Dealerships in owner's area have dismissed the issue; one dealership claimed to have no service records because of ownership change.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Door panel replacement offered as initial fix but did not address root cause. Dealerships subsequently refused to service the vehicle and dismissed safety concerns.
Climate control module failure and electrical relay/resistor burning
Climate control module malfunctions, causing AC/heating to cycle on and off uncontrollably without user input. The issue is linked to a burned or failing relay and resistor. Replacing individual components (blower motor, resistor, relay) provides only temporary relief; failures recur within days to weeks. One owner replaced blower motor and resistor; AC worked briefly, then failed again.
When: Failures reported from early ownership through 60k+ miles; one owner at 62k miles; recurrence within one week to one month of component replacement
Symptoms owners cite: AC blower stops blowing intermittently; Climate control cycles air temperature by itself; AC stops after brief operation; No heating or cooling function; Resistor and blower motor test good, but AC still fails; Fuse and relay appear fine, but AC continues to malfunction; Uncontrollable climate changes while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing blower motor, resistor, fuse, and relay multiple times without resolving the underlying issue. Root cause identified as melted fuse box wiring and main wiring harness grounding problem. One owner paid $5,000 for main wiring harness replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued warranty extension for blower motor fuse relocation, but owners report Kia does not cover resistor or climate module failure. One owner was denied warranty coverage for rear defrost system replacement because vehicle exceeded 60k miles (by only 1,000 miles).
Starter failure and vehicle stranding
Starter fails, leaving vehicle unable to start after parking. Owner stranded at stop lights, on streets, and in middle of traffic, requiring assistance from bystanders to push vehicle to safety.
When: Reported at beginning of year; vehicle age four years at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start after being stopped; Stranding at stop lights and on city streets; Vehicle left stranded in middle of traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced starter; however, after repair, new HVAC and related electrical issues emerged.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner reports Kia could not be reached and charges were expected for diagnosis.
Multiple computer chip failure
Vehicle warning light illuminated at very low mileage. Dealer diagnosis revealed two computer chips in vehicle required replacement.
When: Failure mileage: 600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unknown warning light illuminated on instrument panel
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership (Kia Fort Walton Beach) identified two computer chips needing replacement but did not perform repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure; vehicle was not repaired.
Safety systems initialization failure (ABS, Traction Control, FCW)
Vehicle occasionally fails to properly initialize critical safety systems on startup. ABS, Traction Control, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), auto stop, and auto hold lights illuminate, and systems fail to engage. This disables driver-assist features.
When: Occasional failures; no specific mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light comes on; Traction Control light comes on; Forward Collision Warning light comes on; Auto stop light comes on; Auto hold light comes on; Safety systems fail to engage; Driver assist features disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership does not attempt to resolve; suggests false trigger from parking near tree.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claims issue is not a recall and attributes failure to parking proximity to tree, declining proper investigation.
Loss of power without engine shutdown and unexplained seat/component movement
Vehicle experiences sudden loss of power while remaining running. Driver seat does not respond to controls (will not move forward or backward). Back seat pops up unexpectedly. Vehicle has not been repaired.
When: Specific timing not provided; vehicle unprivable for one year at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power; Engine remains running during power loss; Driver seat does not move forward or backward; Back seat pops up without user action
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership; repairs incomplete or refused.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership states issue is not a recall but acknowledges other same-year and model vehicles exhibit the same failures.
Complete vehicle fire under hood
Vehicle caught fire under hood while driving, resulting in total loss. Smoke poured from under hood and fire fully engulfed engine compartment within one minute.
When: After approximately 25 miles of highway driving from home toward work; vehicle stopped at red light on city street
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke pouring from under hood; Vehicle fully engulfed in fire under hood within one minute; Complete loss of vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was a total loss; no repair attempted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and radio initialization failure
Vehicle radio fails to initialize wireless Apple CarPlay. The process to get it working varies and is inconsistent. Issue has been ongoing; dealership will not update vehicle software to resolve.
When: Ongoing issue throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Apple CarPlay fails to initialize wirelessly; Radio inconsistently connects to CarPlay; Process to regain functionality varies
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; dealership refuses software update.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership will not update vehicle software to resolve known issue.
Front seat electrical adjustment malfunction
Front seat electrical adjustments do not work properly. Seats switch positions mid-drive without user input, creating distraction and safety concern during operation.
When: Occurring during active driving
Symptoms owners cite: Seat electrical adjustment switches mid-drive; Difficulty adjusting seats; Seats do not respond properly to adjustment commands
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Undisclosed damage and wiring issues in used vehicle purchase
Used 2021 K5 purchased at dealership with undisclosed prior accident history and water damage. Vehicle had missing airbag, multiple past accidents not disclosed despite clean title listing. Wiring issues and water damage from slow leak were present at purchase but not disclosed. Dealership refused service after 30-day window, despite website claiming 6-month warranty. Dealership quoted over $5,000 for repairs including new computer and electrical work.
When: Purchased April 2024; side-swiped November 2024; insurance repair refused January 2025; ongoing issues discovered throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Water damage from slow leak; Wiring issues throughout vehicle; Missing airbag; Multiple past accident damage
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance-approved repair shop refused to work on vehicle due to liability concerns (missing airbag, undisclosed accident history). Owner has been repairing vehicle independently and at independent shops (Kia and Midas). Dealership quoted $5,000+ for repairs including new computer and electrical work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership refused service, claiming 30-day warranty window had passed, despite website stating 6-month warranty. Dealership would not assist with undisclosed defect issues.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Blower motor stops working, have to take fuse box cover off and move fuse assembly to regain function of blower motor. Replacing fuse only helped for a couple of months.
Ever since I bought my car in July of 2025 cash I’ve been having issues. Shortly after purchasing my car began to stall , lose power repeatedly. I then took to southwest kia in Dallas they told me I had contaminated gas. They charged me $2,000 to clean my fuel lines , replace spark plugs & replace a fuel pressure sensor. Shortly after i got my car I had the same issues. I explained my concerns…
The vehicle experiences severe stalling and loss of power while driving. When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitates, shakes violently, and will not accelerate beyond approximately 10–20 mph. The vehicle then stalls completely and shuts off. These failures occur both after the vehicle has been parked and while actively driving. When placed in drive, the vehicle shakes aggressively and…
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.…
Within three days of purchase, the vehicle experienced a fuel system failure requiring the gas tank to be replaced. Shortly afterward, the check-engine light illuminated, indicating additional engine or emissions problems. The failures occurred without warning and made the vehicle unsafe to drive. The engine warning has continued to appear, suggesting a recurring or unresolved malfunction. The…
For breaks: at 20k miles the steering wheel shakes like crazy when braking, and also the pedals: the rotors are very cheap for being a 0-mile purchase vehicle and Kia does not replace this under warranty. I saw a forum that this is an issue for all owners of this Kia K5 and Kia doesn't care and does not replace them. For Electrical issue: the fuse box melted a couple fuse because I used my…
Keep lost wireless carplay scinal.
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Kia K5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Kia K5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 40 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 17,676 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/K5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.