The 2025 Kia K5 is positioned as a stylish midsize sedan featuring a 4 cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine for the GT trim. Our national lemon law firm compiles vehicle problem analyses like this one to help owners understand the most common defects and determine whether their car may qualifies as a lemon. This article investigates the most frequently reported problems, safety concerns, and what owners can do if their Kia K5 qualifies as a lemon under consumer protection laws.
Safety System Malfunctions: Recurring error codes and unresolved driver assistance system problems.
Electrical and Warning Light Issues: Intermittent dashboard warnings including TPMS, low oil, and engine alerts.
2025 Kia K5 Complaint Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Electrical System
4
4
Power Train
4
4
Air Bags
3
3
Tires
3
3
Unknown Or Other
3
3
Wheels
3
3
Engine
2
2
Tires:sidewall
2
2
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
1
Engine And Engine Cooling
1
1
Top Problem #1: Transmission Hard Shifting and Delayed Gear Changes
Transmission complaints are notably frequent among 2025 K5 owners. The issue mainly affects the initial shifts after the vehicle has been parked for over 24 hours.
Key user-reported symptoms include:
Harsh, jerky gear shifts during the first drive of the day causing strong vehicle jolts
Shift hesitations or failure to upshift smoothly at speeds under 25 mph
Symptoms that dissipate after the transmission warms up and do not recur during the same trip
Dealer test drives often fail to replicate the problem, causing frustration
Attempts to reset the transmission control module (ECM) by dealerships with limited success
Take a look at what one owner said about the transmission issues:
“I had plenty of time to pull onto a perpendicular street. While accelerating the car would not shift to next gear. It hit about 4.2 rpm and still did not shift. I was almost hit! After pulling over to safety, I ensured it was not in manual mode. Started driving again and it wouldn’t go more than like 20 mph. I pulled over a second time and shut it off. Started it up again and it worked fine. 603 miles on this car.”
Top Problem #2: Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
Numerous owners of the 2025 Kia K5, particularly turbocharged GT models, have reported significant oil consumption at low mileage. This issue presents without visible leaks or the typical signs of engine smoking, raising concerns of turbocharger seal failures or internal engine wear.
Reported symptoms include:
Rapid oil level drop requiring frequent top-offs (sometimes 1.5 quarts lost over less than 100 miles)
Low oil warning lights activating during normal driving
Subtle surging or fluttering sensation at constant light throttle between 1,700 and 2,000 RPM
Oil consumption tests requested by dealerships with frequent oil level monitoring
One owner described, “At 13,000 miles my low oil light came on. Brought it to my local dealer and performed an oil consumption test. In 1000 miles it consumed 1.5q. In order to satisfy corporate I was told a combustion cleaning was needed to be performed in order to have the engine replaced. Did that and had to go through another oil consumption test. This time the local dealer said it was a 1/3 low and within the 1.5q per 1000 mile spec.”
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Top Problem #3: Tire Failures
Coming in third, tire problems are common among 2025 K5 owners, with multiple reports of early tire bubbles, bulges, and blowouts even at very low mileage.
Details from complaints and consumer experiences include:
Sidewall bulges or bubbles appearing on tires rated for 30,000 miles after less than 7,500 miles driven
Sudden tire blowouts occurring while driving, sometimes at highway speeds
Dealerships acknowledging the problem, but manufacturers and tire brands being slow or reluctant to provide warranty coverage
Damages to vehicle paint and components caused during blowouts
Read this complaint from an owner experiencing tire problems:
“Both front tires at 7,300 miles suddenly have bulging out of the side wall. One tire bulge [is] the size of a golf ball, the other tire slightly larger in size. No warnings or inflation issues prior to failure. Severe safety risk. [The] risk of blowout is high. [The] car is not drivable due to the risk of blowout. Contacted Pirelli the manufacturer, was told both tires are to be sent to them for inspection by the dealership. Pirelli customer service indicated the issue will likely not be covered under warranty.”
Other Reported Defects
Additional issues documented from verified sources include:
Electrical Malfunctions: Complaints of intermittent windshield wiper failure, frequent battery die-offs even after battery replacement, and screen reboots affecting infotainment system stability.
Sunroof Failures: Cases of sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly without warning, endangering occupants and requiring immediate dealer attention.
What Should You Do If Your 2025 Kia K5 Is a Lemon?
A vehicle qualifies as a lemon if it has a substantial defect affecting its use, value, or safety that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. Under state lemon laws, owners of defective vehicles like the Kia K5 may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or compensation.
Steps to protect yourself include:
Document all issues: Keep detailed records of repairs, service visits, complaints, and communications with dealerships and the manufacturer.
Report defects: File complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your state’s consumer protection office.
Understand your legal options: Lemon laws vary by state but often allow consumers to seek a vehicle replacement, refund, or cash settlement when defects are unresolved.
Think your 2025 Kia K5 might be a lemon? Contact Lemberg Law today for a free consultation and explore your legal options.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
