2022 KIA K5 Fuel/propulsion System Problems

My vehicle is subject to an unrepaired safety recall involving the fuel system. According to the manufacturer’s recall notice, a damaged check valve may allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing the tank to expand and contact hot exhaust components. This can melt the fuel tank, cause fuel leakage, and increase the risk of a vehicle fire. This vehicle has experienced multiple fuel-system-related recalls, and this recall is currently listed as incomplete with no remedy available. The manufacturer has not provided a repair timeline, and owner notification and repair availability are delayed. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of my passengers because I am required to continue driving a vehicle that the manufacturer acknowledges poses a fire risk and cannot currently be repaired.

When engine is Idling the cabin immediately starts to smell completely like gasoline. This happens whether the A/C system is on or not. It’s so strong sometimes that I have to put my window down to release the fumes.

My 2022 Kia K5 EX has a serious fuel-system safety defect involving fuel tank expansion, which caused rear seat pan deformation and rear seat strap deformation. Kia America’s engineering review confirmed this in their findings. The fuel tank expansion caused the rear seat to lift/warp from underneath, creating a risk of fuel leakage, fire, and structural failure in a crash. This is a significant safety concern for occupants and the public. Kia America acknowledged this safety defect in a letter dated October 15, 2025 and stated it is “consistent with the fuel tank expansion condition.” They offered to repurchase the vehicle due to this safety issue. (Letter attached.) Because of this defect, my vehicle has been out of service for 78 days and is not safe to drive. I use this vehicle as my primary source of income for full-time rideshare work, which has caused severe loss of income. Due to the extended loss of use and financial hardship, I am now at risk of repossession, even though the vehicle is unsafe because of a manufacturer-confirmed defect. Despite Kia acknowledging the defect, no recall has been issued, which raises concern that other drivers may still be using potentially unsafe vehicles. I am requesting NHTSA to investigate this defect for potential recall action.

While driving my 2022 Kia K5 LXS, the vehicle began shaking violently and lost acceleration. The check-engine light came on, showing code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). The issue caused unsafe driving conditions, especially with my child in the car. Kia Roseville incorrectly documented the repair, while Kia Folsom later confirmed the issue was engine-related. The vehicle has also been subject to fuel tank expansion concerns under recalls SC288 and SC288A, which can create additional fire risk and pressure issues. Despite repairs, I still experience safety fears and severe loss of vehicle value due to these recurring defects and poor documentation. Kia America has not provided a resolution.

the fuel tank on my car expanded a few hours after inspection was taken place. The dealership stated my car was completely unsafe to drive and would not let me leave with it. My daughter was in the backseat when it happened, but she is safe and so am i

I was driving my car and heard a loud pop, I was on the interstate and thought maybe my tire was going flat but nothing alerted me on my dash. I heard loud wind noises but everything seemed fine until my car started basically hopping forward and it became hard to accelerate. I had to push the gas harder than normal to maintain average highway speeds. I was also feeling super lightheaded while driving and kept rolling my window down as if I couldn’t get a full breath of air. I would roll it back up after 5 minutes or so and would have to roll it right back down. I was driving a long distance and wasn’t able to immediately stop but I was informed of the gasoline fumes when I family member helped get my bags out of my car. It was the scariest thing

I took my car because of fuel recall, due to multiple vehicles having their gas tank expanding or exploding. Even after they completed the recall on my vehicle I still had my gas tank expand. I took my vehicle to the Kia Frisco dealership and they took my vehicle advising they had to buy it back from me. Once they had the vehicle after close to a month they stated that my vehicle was repairable even after stating that several of these models had gas tanks expanding and exploding. I do not feel safe getting into this vehicle after the repair and I want to report it.

Gas tank expanding causing gas to drip from than tank onto the floor potentially causing a fire hazard.

Car stalls out without warning. The electronics (radio, dash, lights, etc...) all are still functional, the engine light comes on while the car is still "on" with the engine stalled out. I pulled over, put the car in park, turned it off, and then restarted the car without issue. After restarting the car, the check engine light is not longer on. This first occurred once about a year or two after i bought the car while on the freeway (2023). The second time I was on a dirt road outside of town (March 2025). The third time I was accelerating through an intersection while taking a left turn, after being stopped at the green light waiting for a time to turn (August 2025). My car stalled out in the middle of the intersection, but I was lucky enough to have gained enough momentum to roll out of the way of oncoming vehicles. The most recent time this occurred, the car had trouble turning over, but was able to after a few tries. I took it into my kia dealership and they told me to replace the battery as it was testing "low". I bought a battery from autozone and replaced it as instructed. However I have never had any issues otherwise and the battery test autozone performed on my old battery said the old battery was still "good". This was recent and the problem is rare so i have not confirmed if this is a fix, however it is a dangerous fault that does not seem to be resolved.

Engine failed for literally no reason and started smoking and Lia won’t stand by warranty either

Fuel consumption jumped then car began jerking shortly after engine failure

Gas tank expanded and warped the back seat causing my child’s car seat to not be seated properly. Walking near the car you can smell gasoline very strongly. The check engine light came on briefly and then went away. My car is at the dealership currently as they decide what to do about the issue.

July 5th we were driving heard a loud boom and the car slowed down we pulled over. Then we seen that the seat was lifted up and smelled gas. We had an appointment for Monday July 7 for this recall and wasn’t able to drop off the next on Tuesday July 8. As called that Monday made the dealer aware. Now they been having the car and we are just waiting on the next process. There’s not sure what saying Kia will contact us. I am reaching out to get some type of results. We can’t get a rental car and next week it will be 30 days on the 8th of August. We are looking to resolve this matter with Kia.

My fuel tank has expanded. It has deformed the body beneath the rear seat.

While driving home recently with my young stepson securely seated in his car seat and my fiancé in the passenger seat, we suddenly heard a terrifying loud bang. Immediately following the explosion, my stepson cried out in pain. At the time, the windows were up and the air conditioning was off, yet we all felt an intense gust of wind inside the vehicle. When I turned around, I saw that my stepson’s seat had been lifted unusually high. We later discovered that either the fuel tank or the fuel pump had exploded.I was shocked and terrified. I had no prior knowledge of any fuel system issues or recalls on this vehicle. After contacting my local Kia dealership, a representative informed me, “Yep, your car has the recall, and it sounds like it swelled up.” Even more troubling is that I never received any recall notifications regarding these issues. The only recall notices I’ve ever received by mail were years ago for a completely different vehicle — my previous Kia Soul, which is no longer in use, as well as the recall for the side curtain airbag.I took it upon myself to do a VIN check and learned that this recall was issued on July 9, 2021, yet I purchased the car from Bev Smith Kia of Fort Pierce on December 30, 2022 — long after the recall had been published. I’m struggling to understand how this vehicle was sold without the required recall repairs being completed or disclosed.I am currently trying to work with Kia to resolve the issue, but I felt it was important to share this with your team so others can be made aware of the potential danger. Had this explosion happened at higher speed or on the highway, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

While accelerating in response to a green light I made a right hand turn and as I accelerated up to the speed limit of 55 mph I heard and felt a very loud “bang or pop”. I proceeded to pull the car over anticipating a tire blow out or something damaging the rear end of my car and upon a full visual inspection of all tires, undercarriage, under the hood and in the truck and main cabin of the car I was unable to locate and issues and there were zero codes or lights. After careful assessment I proceeded to get myself and child home but on the way the car started stumbling and there was a strong Oder of gas. A check engine Illuminated giving us an error code referencing our solenoid that works in pair with our fuel system. After checking the car and going inside for about two hours, my husband came to me and asked what happened to the backseat as the entire thing had been pulled up and underneath it was a very pressurized and round fuel system. I proceeded to call the car dealership service department and told them the codes and everything I was showing and what was happening and asked when I could get the car to them, and if it was safe to ride, they said if it’s still ran to go smoothly to the dealership which was a 10 minute drive. As directed by the dealership I brought the car for service and I also located a voluntary emissions report that Kia issued in April of 2024 along with a copy of letters said to be sent to each owner of my make and model. I never received these letters and update not completed. Kia failed to effectively notify all owners of this potential issue with an over pressurized fuel system, putting myself and my children in great risk. Kia America stated they needed to study my car. A recall still has not been issued, although there are several complaints of the same thing in their cars and now I’m forced into a very unfair buyback and I am being penalized due to Kia failing to alert All parties. There is still no recall.

The vehicle has experienced repeated transmission-related issues, including erratic shifting, delayed response, slippage, and sudden loss of power while driving. These symptoms significantly impact drivability and pose a safety risk, especially when accelerating or merging in traffic. The issue was previously addressed by the dealership under a recall repair. However, the same transmission behavior has returned approximately 3–4 months after the repair. The dealership performed repairs multiple times before, and the symptoms have now recurred. The problem has been confirmed by the authorized dealership and is scheduled for another inspection. There have been warning symptoms such as hesitation during gear shifts and intermittent power dips while in motion, which began reappearing recently. The component remains available for inspection. Given the repeat nature of the issue following an official recall, I believe this may be part of a broader unresolved defect in the vehicle’s transmission system. The issue initially reappeared briefly after the recall repair, then subsided. However, it returned more consistently and noticeably after a couple of months, and is now ongoing.

I was driving on [XXX] and I heard a really loud sound like a Gun Shot in my Car I couldn't just pull over I had to get off at the next exit when I did I checked myself and then I checked my Windows then I opened my back door on the passenger side and saw that behind the seat had swollen up. I drove to work and call KIA where I purchased the car and told them what happened my husband carried the car to them and to make a long story short. After Months of back & forth it was determined that the GAS TANK had EXPANDED!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I had 130 miles until I needed to fuel up. Out of nowhere, my gas light comes on with the miles now blanked out. I thought it was odd, but stopped at the next gas station to fuel up. It would not let me put more than .22 cents into the tank without gas exploding out the side. Again, cranked up the car & it states it still needs gas. Tried another gas station & got the same result. Ended up at the nearest Kia & they stated it was the fuel tank expansion recall. They told me they ordered the parts and it should be fixed a little after Christmas. A week later and they are stating they do not know how to fix the vehicle and have no options for rentals/loaners. They said Kia would have to contact them before they can work on the vehicle. I have not received a call but did call the 1-800 number I was given and they basically said that they don’t know what they are going to do and someone will reach out to me. This is so scary as a consumer that Kia is allowed to place vehicles on the road that are considered very dangerous. A process needs to be in place fairly quickly or I am afraid there will be a lot of people in my situation. Not only was this scary, I was alone & this could have put me in danger on the road. I will never buy a Kia again & hate the service I have received as I have been left in the dark from the beginning.

IN OCT 2023 I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY FUEL TANK. I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY FUEL GAGE WAS ON EMPTY BUT MY FUEL MILEAGE STATED THAT I HAD 100 MILES LEFT. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FUEL UP AND I WASN'T ABLE TO PUMP ANY FUEL. I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND A HISSING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO ASSESS MY VEHICLE AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/26/2023. IN MAY OF 2024 I WAS ON MY WAY TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON AND STARTED NOTICING MY FUEL GAGE WAS HAVING AN ISSUE AGAIN. ON MY WAY TO THE GAS STATION I HEARD A LOUD BOOM. I COULDN'T PUMP FUEL AGAIN. I PROCEEDED TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON. AS THEY GOT IN THE BACKSEAT SHE ASKED ME WHY WAS THE SEAT LIFTED. I INSPECTED MY REAR SEAT AND NOTICED A 3-4 INCH GAP FROM THE SEAT AND THE BASE OF THE SEAT, ALSO IT HAD A LARGE LUMP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY ON MAY 24, 2024.VEHICLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. IT'S CURRENTLY AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES. AS AN UBER DRIVER MY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF MY PASSENGERS AS WELL AS FAMILY MEMBERS HAS BEEN PUT IN DANGER. UNKNOWN. MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED FOR THIS ISSUE ON 10/26/2023, 05/24/2024, AND 09/24/2024. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE EARLY PART OF JULY I TOOK A TRIP TO SEE MY MOM IN ARIZONA APPROX. 280 MILES AWAY FROM MY RESIDENCE. AS I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME ON [XXX] I NOTICED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER AND GAS WAS HISSING AND SPILLING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE FUEL CAP SO I WENT TO PURCHASE A NEW FUEL CAP. I TRIED TO PUMP MORE GAS BUT I WASN'T ABLE TOO. I REPLACED THE FUEL CAP AND RETURNED TO MY MOTHERS HOME BECAUSE AFTER I REPLACED THE CAP THE FUEL WAS STILL COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. I HAD TO PAY $1,000.00 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED BACK TO CALIFORNIA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

A couple of days before taking my vehicle to get serviced, I started noticing some concerning factors about an issue going on with the vehicles fuel system. When putting fuel in my car, the gas odometer wouldn't match with what the car was marking the gas miles to be. It would fluctuate throughout the day, in the morning it would mark 174 miles of fuel and in the afternoon it would somehow say I had 215 miles of fuel when I never added more fuel to my call. Also when I opened the gas tank I saw white smoke come out from the tank. My back seat also popped out of the clips that kept it in place. It was very apparent while doing research online of the issues I was going through, that other have similar issues, all leading to the fuel tank expanding. The service center at my local Kia claimed their not 1 but 2 recalls on the vehicles and unfortunately the sensor in the fuel tank needed an update, but because my gas tank expanded while they checked it out, they said they couldn't simply update the sensor as my whole fuel system had to be redone. I have tried to reach out to Kia since I do not have a vehicle to commute to work and it is essential I get the issue resolved with my car. I don't know how long this process will take either since no one provides clear time frames or how the process will go. I am pretty much out of a car for over 6 days and still don't know if it can be repaired or what can be done with my vehicle in the condition it is in.

On June 12, 2024, the driver heard a loud pop/thump coming from the rear of the vehicle. The driver looked back to inspect the vehicle and noticed that the back seats had lifted his child and car seat up from the proper seating position. Upon further inspection, the driver had noticed a large bulge under the rear seats that was releasing a lot of heat and the smell of gas was throughout the cabin of the vehicle. On the way home at the time of the event the driver stopped to get the gas and when opening the gas cap noticed a violent pressure release, similar to opening a shaken-up soda. The driver quickly got to a safe location as the heat in the passenger cabin started to rise. The driver immediately notified the Kia Service Dept. and the vehicle was towed to the Kia service department on June 13, 2024. On June 18, 2024, the driver was told that the current issue was due to a gas tank expansion issue and that the gas tank expanded causing the metal frame to bend, and that the vehicle may not be repairable since the metal frame had been bent. The service department stating the vehicle is no longer safe to drive and that the issue would be escalated to their consumer affairs team. It is July 29, 2024, and there has been no word of Kia or any representative thereof that has reached out to remedy this issue. The dealer has denied a temporary replacement vehicle and/or rental car replacement for the time being. Where the driver and child were at extreme risk of a potential fatality or extreme injury, It would be expected that the matter be handled a little more expeditiously. Hoping to get this matter resolved!

Backseat made loud noise and the backseat popped up car started to cut off and stumble as there was no gas in the gas tank leaving me stranded on the side of the road out of state were i donr stay in the way back home to ga

I was driving home yesterday and experienced a loud pop in the back of the car and found the backseat had lifted because the gas tank had expanded I am at the dealership right now Hoping that they will give me a loaner And I would like to trade the car in because I don’t trust the car anymore There are other reports of this similar issue I found online The reports say that there is a PVC pressure release valve that is getting stuck and causing the gas tanks to explode I am currently at the dealership and it is going to be inspected It is the first time this dealership has had this issue reported But there are six other incidents reported in other states like Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina

Instrumental Cluster has went completely out. The only light that’s on is the seatbelt light on my 2022 Kia K5. That’s is strange for a brand new car unless there could be a recall which is for the late 2022 / 2023 model cars. I contacted every Kia dealership near me and would not tell me what the issue could be that I needed to bring it in. The amount just to do a diagnostic was not in my budget but finding out later that there are recalls for this exact reason, does not sit well with me. I contacted a service manager in Sherwood AR where I lurched my vehicle to see if its cover under warranty and he has not called back. It’s not customer service satisfying that neither techs were even willing to tell me why it just magically stopped working on a brand new car. I put my life at risk driving my kids and myself to work, I couldn’t see how fast I was going, don’t know how much gas I have in my car, signal light comes on but no sound… NOTHING. Something has to be done and seeing that other Kia’s has had this same issue does not sit well with me and a Kia owner.

On December 28th 2022 between the 6:30 am to 8:00 my car was parked and caught on fire. I have filed a complaint with Kia and since then I have gotten the run around about them looking into the vehicle and seeing what cause the issue. My car was still under the manufacture warranty