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severe Owners of the 2023 Kia K5 have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 K5 | 9 |
| 2022 K5 | 6 |
| 2023 K5 (this page) | 12 |
| 2024 K5 | 6 |
| 2025 K5 | 3 |
Of the 5 model years of Kia K5 we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER ACTION: CHROME TRUNK LID MOLDING REPLACEMENT (CA2514) - This bulletin provides information regarding replacement of the chrome trunk lid molding on certain 2023-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from October 3, 2022 through January 23, 2024. The chrome faceplate may be partly loose while remaining secured to the molding and vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID AND C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - CLOSED AND SUPERSEDED BY SC346 - This bulletin is now closed and superseded. This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome garnish trim and the C-Pillar(s) chrome garnish trim on certain 2023-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from May 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023, which may be loose due to an insufficient lamination layer. Follow the procedure outlined in this publication to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome trim, and both left and right-side C-pillar chrome trims and replace the affected rear trunk lid chrome trim and/or the (left and/or right side)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID AND C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome garnish trim and the C-Pillar(s) chrome garnish trim on certain 2023- 2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from May 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023, which may be loose due to an insufficient lamination layer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID & C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome garnish trim and the C-Pillar(s) chrome garnish trim on certain 2023-2024MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from May 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023, which may be loose due to an insufficient lamination layer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TRUNK LID AND C-PILLAR GARNISH INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT (SA552) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the rear trunk lid chrome garnish trim and the C-Pillar(s) chrome garnish trim on certain 2023MY K5 (DL3a) vehicles produced from May 1, 2023 through September 29, 2023, which may be loose due to an insufficient lamination layer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners report two major categories of body failures on 2023 K5s. First, trim pieces come loose and fly off while driving: rear windshield chrome trim (three separate pieces per vehicle), trunk lid trim, and a front driver-side bumper clip. Multiple owners cite seeing hundreds of identical complaints from 2023–2024 K5 owners online. One owner's chrome trim piece nearly hit a following vehicle on the highway. A TSB (SA552) exists for the rear trim issue, but no recall has been issued.
Second, two owners report spontaneous sunroof glass failure—the front panoramic glass panel exploded outward while parked, with no external impact or weather trigger. Both instances were confirmed by authorized service centers as glass failure, not pressure-related. No warning signs preceded either failure.
One owner reported a swelled fuel tank under Recall SC288 that damaged the vehicle body so severely Kia deemed it unrepairable and retained the vehicle.
Service centers have diagnosed most trim failures and quoted replacements, but owners report vehicles were not actually repaired. Kia has not physically inspected the sunroof failure despite photographic evidence.
Front panoramic sunroof glass panel has exploded outward without external impact, weather event, or identifiable cause. Two separate service centers confirmed the glass blew out rather than inward from pressure. No warning signs precede the failure.
When: While parked; no mileage stated
Symptoms owners cite: Glass panel suddenly explodes outward; No warning lights or cracks before failure; No external impact or weather trigger
Repairs/costs cited: Service center quoted glass replacement only (not full sunroof system); vehicle remains unsafe with gaping roof opening
Chrome trim pieces (3 pieces total) around the rear windshield loosen and detach from the vehicle. Owners report all pieces failing in the same manner. One piece flew off during highway driving and nearly struck a following vehicle. Related to TSB SA552 per one owner report. Multiple owners report seeing hundreds of identical complaints from 2023–2024 K5 owners online.
When: Around 1 year of ownership; one report at approximately 13,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Chrome trim pieces become progressively loose; Pieces detach spontaneously during and without driving; Physical touch causes loose pieces to move noticeably
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicates trim replacement needed; vehicles not repaired as of complaint filing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB SA552 cited by one owner; no recall issued despite widespread reports
Front driver-side bottom bumper clip randomly unclips and detaches from the vehicle. Complaint alleges at least 30 other 2023 K5 GT-Line owners report the identical failure of this specific clip.
When: No specific timing or mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Bottom bumper clip unclips randomly; Detachment occurs without apparent cause
Trim below the rear windshield and trunk lid trim partially detach or fully separate from the vehicle. One owner reports the trim flew off while driving on the interstate. Another report notes partial detachment while parked.
When: One detachment during highway driving; timing unclear for others
Symptoms owners cite: Trim becomes loose and detaches; Can occur while vehicle is parked or during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis indicates trim replacement needed; repairs not completed
Vehicle fuel tank swelled and damaged the vehicle body. Check engine light displayed; vehicle could not accept fuel during refueling. Occurred under Recall SC288 (Fuel Tank Inspection & ECM Update). Kia determined the vehicle is not repairable and retained possession.
When: Recall inspection on May 21, 2025; vehicle approximately 2 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Unable to accept fuel during refueling; Visible fuel tank swelling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific code not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Kia determined vehicle not repairable; in manufacturer possession since May 2025
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC288; Kia opened Techline case and acknowledged vehicle is not repairable
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
Based on the 12 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 33,885 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.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 — 1 active recall(s) cover body 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.