Vehicle report

2026 KIA K5

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Service bulletins

16 bulletins

Technical service bulletins are instructions a manufacturer sent its dealers about a known fault. They are not recalls and the work is usually not free, but they are the clearest signal of a problem the manufacturer already knows about.

OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R2

Over The Air

RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 2) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, EV9, K5 and Sorento vehicles. This update is designed to improve the vehicle’s network communication performance.

TSB_ELE419

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: BATTERY WIRING HARNESS COVERING INSPECTION / REPLACEMENT (SA645) - This bulletin provides information for inspecting the 12V battery wiring harness on certain 2025-2026 MY K5 (DL3) vehicles equipped with the Theta III 2.5L GDI engine, produced from February 20, 2024, through March 13, 2026. The subject vehicles may exhibit an illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) along with a low engine oil warning light and/or battery warning light displayed on the instrument cluster, caused by abrasion of the wiring harness over time. One or more of the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) listed on page 2 may be stored.

TSB_ELE422

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).

SC363_OWNR_DL3

Service Campaign

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2025-2026 MY K5 vehicles to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and ATF filler bolt and ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications. If necessary, the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) may require replacement based on the inspection results.

SC363_TSB

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION, AND OLP GASKET AND/OR ATF FILLER BOLT REPLACEMENT OR A/T REPLACEMENT (SC363) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and/or ATF filler bolt, or the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) assembly on certain 2025-2026 Kia model vehicles listed in the table below. Also, dealers are to ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications upon the completion of the inspection and necessary repair. The oil level plug in the subject vehicles may not have been installed properly during assembly. The oil level plug may be loose or detached from the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) which may result in leaking automatic transmission fluid (ATF). A transaxle which is operated with excessively low ATF may become damaged over time.

SC363_DP

Service Campaign

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and ATF filler bolt and ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications. Depending on the results of the inspection, the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) may require replacement in 12 units of 2025-2026 MY K5 vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2025 through October 1, 2025, 5 units of 2026 MY Sportage vehicles manufactured from June 11, 2025 through August 19, 2025, and 184 units of 2025-2026 MY Carnival vehicles manufactured from February 20, 2025 through September 17, 2025.

SC363_DPSM

Service Campaign

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if necessary, replace the oil level plug gasket and ATF filler bolt and ensure the oil level plug is tightened to Kia’s factory specifications. Depending on the results of the inspection, the 8-speed Automatic Transaxle (A/T) may require replacement in 12 units of 2025-2026 MY K5 vehicles manufactured from April 7, 2025 through October 1, 2025, 5 units of 2026 MY Sportage vehicles manufactured from June 11, 2025 through August 19, 2025, and 184 units of 2025-2026 MY Carnival vehicles manufactured from February 20, 2025 through September 17, 2025.

SC363_QA

Service Campaign

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC363) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC363.

TSB_ELE417

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, in‑vehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.

TSB_ELE413

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) system software on some 2025–2026MY vehicles listed in the table below. Kia has identified that Connected Car Services (CCS) functionality may intermittently fail due to temporary DCU communication issues. This condition can impact convenience and connectivity features by causing the Remote Start and Remote Climate functions to become inoperative, prevent vehicle status updates in the Kia Access app, and interrupt connected navigation routing services.

TSB_ENG265

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: THETA III 2.5 GDI ECM SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA642) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Engine Control Module ‘ECM’ system software on certain 2026MY K5 (DL3) vehicles produced from December 03, 2025 through March 09, 2026 equipped with 2.5 GDI Theta III engines. The affected vehicles may exhibit an intermittent “low oil level” message illuminated on the instrument cluster. This issue may be present due to improper calibration logic of the oil level sensor value to detect a low oil level, even if the engine oil level is within the recommended factory specification.

TSB_ENG261_R1

Service Campaign

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use monitoring performance tracking” emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires the emissions data from vehicles with a minimum of 3,000 accumulated miles without reprogramming or resetting.

TSB_ENG261

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC26) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting “in use monitoring performance tracking” emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of certain vehicles sold in California. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) requires the emissions data from vehicles with a minimum of 3,000 accumulated miles without reprogramming or resetting.

PS797

Other

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or foreign substances while driving. Damage to the cover of the ultrasonic sensor can also lead to damage to the internal circuit. As a result of this external damage, the PDW system may not receive the proper signal from the ultrasonic sensor. In some cases, the system may cause a false alarm, no alert, or phantom warnings by a “Warning Lamp’ to be displayed on the cluster. The ultrasonic sensor membrane film should be always inspected for external damage and if any part replacement should be treated as a general repair, not as a warranty claim repair for this concern. (Please note that this Pitstop only applies to models/trims that are equipped with the ultrasonic sensors.)

TSB_BOD346

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: REAR SEAT CARPET FLOORMAT INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SA628) - This Dealer Stock Service Action Technical Service Bulletin provides information to inspect the rear carpet floormats on certain 2026MY K5 (DL3) vehicles produced from SOP through July 2025, equipped with hooks on the rear floor; and equipped with the incorrect Port Installed Option Carpeted Floormats (PIO Code: CF) where rear floormats are missing positioning grommets; and Dealer Stock vehicle.

TSB_ELE397

Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CCNC – DEALER MODE NETWORK RESET (SA625) - This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function on 2026MY models listed on page 6 equipped with a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit, and to perform a ‘Reset Network’ to address customer concerns related to activation of Kia Connect or Kia Connect features that may have stopped working.

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Complaint counts are reports filed with NHTSA, not failure rates. A common model collects more of them than a rare one that breaks more often.