Pre-purchase inspection
It depends on the individual car, not the model — and the only way to know is to put eyes on that specific vehicle before you pay. Here is what the record says to look for, and what an independent inspector checks on a Kia K5.
NHTSA has issued 7 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Kia K5 vehicles, concentrated in air bags and fuel system. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so any individual car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — which is exactly what an on-site inspection establishes before you pay.
Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.
Newest first, from NHTSA campaign records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
Consequence: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
Consequence: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The side curtain air bags may have been installed incorrectly, causing them not to deploy properly in the event of a crash.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.
Consequence: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
Consequence: A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Kia K5 vehicles. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so a particular car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — and an open recall does not mean the car is unsafe, only that a free remedy is available from a franchised dealer. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: air bags, fuel system, lane departure, power train, structure. An inspector confirms current condition and whether recall remedies were performed.
Bronze $249, Silver $349, Gold $449. Your card is saved securely at booking and only charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.
Recall data from NHTSA, retrieved 2026-08-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with Kia. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.
A vetted independent inspector goes to the seller’s location and documents the actual condition. Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449.
Book an inspection