Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Kia has a known wiring harness defect that causes the low engine oil sensor to trigger incorrectly. Despite this, there has been no recall, and new vehicles are still being sold with the issue. The wiring harness is now on back order, leaving me without a car for weeks or longer. The vehicle has plenty of oil, and the dealership confirmed there are no engine problems, yet the warning light keeps coming back because of the faulty harness. This happened 1 day after buying this car new from the dealership lot.
The display is shows a "Check Oil Level" error. It comes on then goes off regularly. I have verified that the oil level is OK. Took it into the dealer and he said that this is a common issue and a software fix is coming. The car only has less than 2K miles. I depend on the engine displaying error messages, but they need to be real ones. Online complaints indicate that this is a common error and there seems to be no fix.
The contact owns a 2025 Kia K5. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the front headlights, rear brake lights, and interior cabin lights illuminated very bright. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced prior to the recurring failure by the same local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
Shortly after a routine oil change performed at a Kia dealership, I discovered a significant oil leak underneath the vehicle the following day. Within a short period of time, the vehicle began experiencing engine-related issues including a cylinder misfire, noticeable shaking while driving, and loss of power, particularly when accelerating or driving on inclines. The vehicle also displayed a check engine light and a warning related to 12-volt battery drain. In addition, I noticed a strong burning odor coming from the engine area, which raised concerns about a possible fluid leak or internal engine issue. These conditions created a safety concern because the vehicle would hesitate and lose power during normal driving, which could increase the risk of an accident, especially in traffic or when merging or climbing inclines. The vehicle was returned to a Kia dealership for inspection. …
The contact owns a 2024 Kia K5. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who then diagnosed a failure with the throttle body. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed an additional failure with the main wiring harness array. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 3,000.
My brand new 2024 Kia K5 has been at Kia of temple hills since February 23, 2026. The dealership has stated they do not know how to diagnose or repair the issue and indicated they needed a special diagnostic tool from the manufacturer. The vehicle has now been out of service for an extended period with no repair timeline provided and no communication from them at all. I also have not been provided a loaner or rental vehicle during this timeframe. While driving with my toddler child the steering wheel gets tight the speedometer isn't reading correctly. Dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree with almost all warning lights on and messages to check every system: from tire pressure to forward collision to RearCross-TrafficSafety and the list goes on
The contact owns a 2023 Kia K5. The contact stated while making a turn from a complete stop, the check engine warning light and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The message "A possible condition with your engine control system has been detected" was displayed on the infotainment screen display. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to drive back to her nearby residence at a significantly slow speed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recurred while making a left turn in a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. …
My 2023 Kia K5 GT has an intermittent and unpredictable audio defect which the vehicle suddenly and spontaneously produces an extremely loud static-like noise through all speakers in the car, immediately upon starting the vehicle. This is not related to the radio, car play, phone connection, weather, etc. Adjusting the volume dial does not effect the issue either, for example. Shutting the car off, stops it momentarily, but will return upon starting it. The only way to stop the issue is to either disconnect the battery or pull the main fuse to the dash, resetting the car. The issue has been occurring for 3 years. With multiple videos of the issue happening. The noise is loud enough to cause medical damage, especially to a child or infant. This will put my newborn infant at risk of medical damage to her ears due to the decibel of the issue which is a safety issue. …
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia K5 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (46), 2022 (25), 2025 (11), 2023 (6) and 2024 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 27% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Kia K5 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 26V-046 (instrument cluster/panel, Jan 26, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia K5 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles; 90% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the horn (1 mentions), followed by the wiring › fuses and circuit breakers (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.