[Xpec]

I’m interested in getting a K5, but I’m worried since it’s a new model for the US market that there’s going to problems from either reliability or the fit and finish. So I was wondering if there were major issues plaguing a lot of K5’s or just a minority of them?

 

[StarMerc698]

Mine is at the dealer this morning for her first oil change, looking at the excess wind noise at the driver door, and finding out why in Smart mode, my turbo builds up too much pressure that it doesn't dump out. Not sure if this is a vacuum issue (as this occurs at low RPM driving/leaving the car run while I run in to get my daughter) or a wastegate issue (not dumping pressure, creating overboost), but I will report if they notice anything. After this condition exists, you can't touch the accelerator pedal without the car coming out from under you. Not great in a neighborhood with kids playing in the street.

I still love the car despite my two issues. A fun driver, even with just the 1.6L. I know the GT's are rolling out, but with the wheel spin on mine, I could only imagine driving one of those (especially in FWD).

 

[Xpec]

Mine is at the dealer this morning for her first oil change, looking at the excess wind noise at the driver door, and finding out why in Smart mode, my turbo builds up too much pressure that it doesn't dump out. Not sure if this is a vacuum issue (as this occurs at low RPM driving/leaving the car run while I run in to get my daughter) or a wastegate issue (not dumping pressure, creating overboost), but I will report if they notice anything. After this condition exists, you can't touch the accelerator pedal without the car coming out from under you. Not great in a neighborhood with kids playing in the street.

I still love the car despite my two issues. A fun driver, even with just the 1.6L. I know the GT's are rolling out, but with the wheel spin on mine, I could only imagine driving one of those (especially in FWD).

Is the problem with the turbo only present when it’s in smart mode, or in other modes as well like sport or normal. And I’ve definitely seen a lot of complaints about wind noise inside the cabin.

 

[StarMerc698]

Is the problem with the turbo only present when it’s in smart mode, or in other modes as well like sport or normal. And I’ve definitely seen a lot of complaints about wind noise inside the cabin.

It does seem that Smart Mode is the key with this issue. Normal Mode, which I've resided to using daily now, it doesn't seem as prevalent, but with the gear shifting changes and higher RPM drops to the next gear, it has a chance to dump the boost pressure. In Sport, obviously it runs the RPM's before shifting, so I have not noticed an issue in Sport mode.

 

[StarMerc698]

First Oil Change & Review This Coming Monday

So, after taking a beach trip over the weekend, it pushed my oil change timeline forward, so she's going in this coming Monday for her first 5k. Obviously the oil change is due, and I'm going to have them look at my overboost issue with the turbo, and hopefully coming up with something for the...

www.k5owners.com

See my other post for how my dealer experience went. Let's just say, 2 issues are still 2 issues.

 

[Xpec]

First Oil Change & Review This Coming Monday

So, after taking a beach trip over the weekend, it pushed my oil change timeline forward, so she's going in this coming Monday for her first 5k. Obviously the oil change is due, and I'm going to have them look at my overboost issue with the turbo, and hopefully coming up with something for the...

www.k5owners.com

See my other post for how my dealer experience went. Let's just say, 2 issues are still 2 issues.

Since it’s a first year model, I hope these issues will be solved for the 2022 year model and not something that gets ignored by Kia until they refresh the K5

 

[sracer]

I’m interested in getting a K5, but I’m worried since it’s a new model for the US market that there’s going to problems from either reliability or the fit and finish. So I was wondering if there were major issues plaguing a lot of K5’s or just a minority of them?

I've own my K5 EX since January and so far no problems. Fit-n-finish is great. There was a little quirkiness with the wireless Android Auto at first, but things quickly settled down. Maybe it was resolved with an Android Auto update on my phone.

Another quirk is an esoteric one. I use a Sandisk USB Nano thumbdrive loaded with .mp3 files as a "jukebox" of sorts in my K5. When I add files to it, the K5 doesn't recognize the added files (it must cache the directory listing). Changing the volume label doesn't fix it... only a format (quick format works) and reload of the files on the drive works.

I tried Sport Mode for the first time yesterday... whoa! I wasn't prepared for how differently the car responds. I thought it was just going to be some placebo gimmick.

Since the K5 is essentially the next gen Optima, I'm not sure how much of it is new and untested and how much is tweaking and adjustments to what came before it.

 

[Paul]

I've got the EX with the premium package. It's been in the shop for 3 weeks now with head unit issues. The talk button on the steering wheel stopped working. The UVO button stopped working. The nav quit giving verbal turn instructions. The USB port quit playing MP3s. They replaced the radio which fixed the problem but now they're saying the rear view camera isn't working on the screen. Kia told them to replace the radio again. Same result. Now Kia is telling them to replace the entire head unit. They don't stock it and I don't know where it comes from so no telling how long I'll be without my car. I'm quickly losing faith that the car will be right with them disassembling and reassembling it multiple times. If I had it to do all over again, I would not have purchased this car. I fell in love with its looks and ride but service issues are keeping me from loving it anymore. There were other issues with it when I purchased it, like sloppy assembly. The shroud that goes around the underside rear end from wheel well to wheel well was missing every single fastener from the factory but at least that was an easy fix.

 

[Sandc0103]

Ours has been in the shop for six weeks. Kia can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong with it . Every warning system and dash light come on , no speedo, no temp gauge , steering tightens up, blinkers don’t work. We are starting the buy back process because Florida’s lemon laws are pretty strict . We will not be buying another one if they buy this one back.

 

[minjreula]

I've got the EX with the premium package. It's been in the shop for 3 weeks now with head unit issues. The talk button on the steering wheel stopped working. The UVO button stopped working. The nav quit giving verbal turn instructions. The USB port quit playing MP3s. They replaced the radio which fixed the problem but now they're saying the rear view camera isn't working on the screen. Kia told them to replace the radio again. Same result. Now Kia is telling them to replace the entire head unit. They don't stock it and I don't know where it comes from so no telling how long I'll be without my car. I'm quickly losing faith that the car will be right with them disassembling and reassembling it multiple times. If I had it to do all over again, I would not have purchased this car. I fell in love with its looks and ride but service issues are keeping me from loving it anymore. There were other issues with it when I purchased it, like sloppy assembly. The shroud that goes around the underside rear end from wheel well to wheel well was missing every single fastener from the factory but at least that was an easy fix.

Sorry to hear that, I also have the EX with premium package experiencing the same issue since April. I bought mine in Oct of last year. Back and forth with UVO and the dealership and they won't open a tech line to find out what to do. Here it is in August and still no resolution. I expected some issue because of the new design, purchased the Optima back in 2011 when they changed the body style and it had minor issue but over time Kia took care of them. I just joined the forum and I do see that this is going to be a common problem for many owners of the K5.