2026 Kia K5 Ice recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
What could happen: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2026 K5 ICE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V046000 (manufacturer code SC361).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Summary: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Notes:
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Portable jump starter
- 2026 Kia K5 Ice owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (5), Engine (5), Electrical system (3), Lane Departure (2), Airbags (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/04/2026 · Unknown Or Other
I was traveling approximately 60 MPH while entering turnpike. Ambient temperature approximately 62-65 degrees F. I heard sudden loud explosive bang, looked around. And no vehicles were immediately nearby and I did not observe or hear any object strike the vehicle prior to glass failure. I heard air coming from somewhere. I checked my windows and all of the…
09/29/2026 · Airbags · crash
I was driving my 2026 Kia K5 southbound on [XXX] at approximately 40–42 mph and proceeding straight through an intersection. I was already in the intersection when another vehicle turned directly in front of me. I did not have sufficient time to avoid the collision and struck the other vehicle with the front of my vehicle. The other driver was cited for fai…
09/21/2026 · Wheels / tires
This is the 2nd time my tire has blown out. 1st time was in Feb 2026 and now again in Sept 2026 both have been factory tires Pirrelli 235/45 R18. The 1st time was on a interstate at speeds 70 mph the 2nd time on a rural road 45 to 55 mph. Both incidents have almost caused a major accident. The dealership has made every excuse under the sun and pirreli wont…
08/11/2026 · Latches / locks
The contact owns a 2026 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the front driver's side door independently unlatched and swung open. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the door latches were being replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mi…
07/03/2026 · Lane Departure
Submitted by [XXX], Authorized Representative for the owner. The vehicle has a physical defect in the ADAS forward-facing camera bracket caused by a dealer-concealed repair using industrial silicone adhesive. The bracket is now visibly sagging, causing misalignment that leads to intermittent Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) failure. Critically, the vehicle…
05/24/2026 · Unknown Or Other
Driver awareness warning goes off frequently. There is no way to desensitize it. As a result warnings are ignored. Dealer and manufacturer says there is not way to prevent this issue.
04/13/2026 · Electrical system
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 compla…
03/12/2026 · Engine
The contact owns a 2026 Kia K5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an engine harness failure. The contact was informed that the engine harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed t…