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severe Owners of the 2021 Kia K5 have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the fuel system, typically surfacing around 116,000 miles at roughly $1,200 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See fuel system across all vehicles →
| Model year | fuel system complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 K5 (this page) | 11 |
| 2022 K5 | 7 |
| 2023 K5 | 12 |
Of the 11 fuel system complaints filed for the 2021 Kia K5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
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.
All 2 active fuel system recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system 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 EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC288) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines to improve the logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. Also, the subject vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, the fuel tank and/or the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) check valve will be replaced with a new one.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: FUEL TANK AND/OR PCSV CHECK VALVE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT + ECU SW UPGRADE (SC288) - This bulletin provides 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 October 17, 2023. This bulletin also provides information to upgrade the ECU software logic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC288) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines manufactured from March 27, 2020 through October 17, 2023 to improve the logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. Also, the subject vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, the fuel tank and/or the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) check valve will be replaced with a new one.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC288) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2021-2024 MY K5 vehicles equipped with 1.6L Turbo Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engines manufactured from March 27, 2020 through October 17, 2023 to improve the logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. Also, the subject vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, the fuel tank and/or the Purge Control Solenoid Valve (PCSV) check valve will be replaced with a new one.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SC288_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia K5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V794000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact stated that days before the vehicle was scheduled for an unknown recall repair, while refueling, the contact observed gasoline pouring out of the tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the fuel tank had expanded…
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 90,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 116,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 90,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.