[TonyF]

I recently heard a gurgling noise coming from behind my dashboard,smelled coolant in the engine compartment and noticed a low coolant level the other day. After four days at the dealership and overnight pressure testing the cooling system, dye tracing, camera scoping the cylinders and checking the plugs,the dealer could not find any leaks. They pulled two brand new K5’s off the lot and tested them as well and found the same issues. They sent all the information on all three cars to Kia corporate who came to the conclusion that for the time being this coolant smell and intermittent noise is inherent to this model. They topped off my coolant and told me to keep an eye on and see if it persists. Someone on another forum that works at a Kia dealership also said that all of their new K5’s are smelling of coolant in the engine compartment for some reason. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case you experience this in the future.

 

[Truels2]

I recently heard a gurgling noise coming from behind my dashboard,smelled coolant in the engine compartment and noticed a low coolant level the other day. After four days at the dealership and overnight pressure testing the cooling system, dye tracing, camera scoping the cylinders and checking the plugs,the dealer could not find any leaks. They pulled two brand new K5’s off the lot and tested them as well and found the same issues. They sent all the information on all three cars to Kia corporate who came to the conclusion that for the time being this coolant smell and intermittent noise is inherent to this model. They topped off my coolant and told me to keep an eye on and see if it persists. Someone on another forum that works at a Kia dealership also said that all of their new K5’s are smelling of coolant in the engine compartment for some reason. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case you experience this in the future.

Brand new Kia owner here! I am having this exact same issue. My car has 250 miles on it and im getting a strong coolant smell from the engine bay. I was alerted to this a few days ago when i walked past my car after a drive and got a smell of it. Are they going to contact you for further diagnoses ? I think after the holidays i will call my dealer and make an appointment for them to check it out. Did you get a low coolant light or did you check the level yourself?

 

[TonyF]

Brand new Kia owner here! I am having this exact same issue. My car has 250 miles on it and im getting a strong coolant smell from the engine bay. I was alerted to this a few days ago when i walked past my car after a drive and got a smell of it. Are they going to contact you for further diagnoses ? I think after the holidays i will call my dealer and make an appointment for them to check it out. Did you get a low coolant light or did you check the level yourself?

They did not diagnose any further than to keep an eye on it. I did notice that as soon as I got it back that even though they topped it off it still looked to be on the low side so I bought some coolant anf added just a little to the low line just in case.
I never got any low coolant light I just checked myself. I have not noticed any additional smells or gurgling noises since then. I also posted in two 2021 Kia K5 facebook groups and they had similar stories.

 

[Truels2]

I will be checking my level when im off work and i will report back with what i find. i thought i was going nuts smelling coolant in a brand new car.

 

[meubin10]

I've heard the gurgling noise a few times on my EX, but haven't noticed a coolant smell or low coolant level. I'll keep an eye on it though.

 

[k5_GT]

I've had the same problem for about a month. Dealership said the same thing. I had to top off the coolant 3 days ago and have not smelled anything and the levels have not dropped as of today.

 

[Capsaintkiss]

I've had the same problem for about a month. Dealership said the same thing. I had to top off the coolant 3 days ago and have not smelled anything and the levels have not dropped as of today.

230 miles and Im still getting the coolant smell... level is fine when i check... starting to **** me off haha

 

[Jagzee]

I've had the same problem for about a month. Dealership said the same thing. I had to top off the coolant 3 days ago and have not smelled anything and the levels have not dropped as of today.

Same issue with coolant smell ±2000Km. this is not normal! Hope KIA will found the problem and fix it!

 

[Roccodif]

i have smelled coolant after drive a few times and can’t find source no leaks and not low on coolant have about 3000 miles on car now I thought I was going crazy but I’m glad I’m not the only one also ****** off with car play dealer has fix but I have read that fix has only lasted about a week on some cars UGH

 

[DBKC]

Greetings All,
I have the same issue with my vehicle. The technician at my dealer discovered that the radiator cap on the high pressure overflow tank on the upper right side of the engine has a vent built into it which allows pressure and antifreeze vapors to escape. I have filed a complaint with KIA but have heard nothing. The service manager advised me to file a complaint with the NHTSA. Hoping that you guys will do the same so that KIA will have to look a fix.
Thanks,
Dwight

 

[K5GTLineAZ]

Greetings All,
I have the same issue with my vehicle. The technician at my dealer discovered that the radiator cap on the high pressure overflow tank on the upper right side of the engine has a vent built into it which allows pressure and antifreeze vapors to escape. I have filed a complaint with KIA but have heard nothing. The service manager advised me to file a complaint with the NHTSA. Hoping that you guys will do the same so that KIA will have to look a fix.
Thanks,
Dwight

Thanks you for the update that at least eases the fear that something is leaking. I have gone over my sons with small comb trying to find the leak. marked the level in coolant bottle and it remains the same yet i still smell coolant after hot drives and in AZ that is now till October.

 

[Tobiscus25]

Folks I have a question while we are on this topic.. Am I the only one that has pink/red coolant in their reservoir? It also is quite close to the minimum line. I live in Florida. Perhaps they use different coolants in different regions? Can anyone confirm their colors?

 

[K5GTLineAZ]

Folks I have a question while we are on this topic.. Am I the only one that has pink/red coolant in their reservoir? It also is quite close to the minimum line. I live in Florida. Perhaps they use different coolants in different regions? Can anyone confirm their colors?

I am in AZ and mine is Green? But dealership just sent me a notice they want to flush my system and only going to charge 20$ Car is almost year old now.

 

[TonyF]

Folks I have a question while we are on this topic.. Am I the only one that has pink/red coolant in their reservoir? It also is quite close to the minimum line. I live in Florida. Perhaps they use different coolants in different regions? Can anyone confirm their colors?

I live in Lakeland and my coolant is green. My coolant level was low when I first got it and I took it back when I started having these gurgling issues and they topped it off. It was still on the low side so I bought some Korean coolant from the auto parts store just in case of an emergency.

 

[Tobiscus25]

I am in AZ and mine is Green? But dealership just sent me a notice they want to flush my system and only going to charge 20$ Car is almost year old now.

Why would they want to flush your system?….

 

[Tobiscus25]

Guys you’re right, no matter where I look it is not pink on any website… This car has had suspicious issues from the beginning and as time goes by I notice more and more

 

[TonyF]

Guys you’re right, no matter where I look it is not pink on any website… This car has had suspicious issues from the beginning and as time goes by I notice more and more

Is it a GT or a GT-Line? I was just watching MotorWeek do a review of the 290 hp K5 GT. It appears in the engine shot that it has pink antifreeze unlike
the GT-Line that has green antifreeze.

 

[JerseyPines]

My GT-Line has the pink anti-freeze. I’m in NJ. Haven’t had any problems w my car at all. 9k miles so far.

 

[Tobiscus25]

Interesting, I guess models built after January 2021 have a different coolant? I purchased my GT line in March 2021

 

[DrodSr]

Guys you’re right, no matter where I look it is not pink on any website… This car has had suspicious issues from the beginning and as time goes by I notice more and more

2022 Gt-Line and it’s definitely pink and have no smell or issues.