Head-to-head reliability
KIA K5 vs FORD F 150
How the KIA K5 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA K5 vs FORD F 150: The K5 averages 82.8 complaints per year over 6 years, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 over 10 years. The K5 has 20 recalls and 3 deaths; the F-150 has 151 recalls and 1 death. Both show serious fuel, electrical, and powertrain issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA K5 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA K5
The KIA K5 is a midsize sedan that has been on the road for about six years, averaging roughly 83 owner complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the fuel/propulsion system, electrical system, and engine, with reports of fuel tank expansion, sudden stalling, and audio system malfunctions. There are also 20 recalls and 35 crash-related complaints, so a buyer should budget for potential repairs and verify that recall work has been completed.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much longer 10-year history and an average of about 1,162 complaints per year. Power train and electrical issues dominate, including transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and rear window defroster shorts that can shatter glass. With 151 recalls and 330 crash-related complaints, this truck demands careful inspection and a check for open recalls before purchase.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA K5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 497 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.8 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA K5
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM119
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM97
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER92
- 04ENGINE85
- 05POWER TRAIN59
Owners report the fuel tank expanding and spitting gas from the filler neck, sometimes with a pop and sensor malfunctions. This can lead to fuel leaks and potential fire risk, so a buyer should have the fuel system and tank inspected.
Complaints describe the audio system intermittently blasting at extreme volume, making it impossible to hear the radio or phone. This points to electrical gremlins that can be distracting and costly to trace.
Some owners report the car suddenly feeling as if the brakes were slammed, stopping in the middle of the road. This kind of unexpected stall or braking event is a serious safety concern and should be checked by a mechanic.
Reports include the same sudden stop and audio screaming issues, suggesting problems that don't fit neatly into one system. These can be hard to diagnose and may recur, so a thorough test drive and electrical check are wise.
“On 10/20/25 as a rideshare driver one of my riders told me that the right side back seat was lifting. I could not believe what the rider was telling me until one of my family members told me the same thing. I immediately for safety reasons parked the car and…”
“The fuel tank expanded, the car was spitting out gas from where you are supposed to insert gas nozzle. my fuel tank expanded so bad from pressure my vehicle sensors malfunctioned my car did not tell me something was wrong, I heard a pop and my car was telling…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners describe recurring transmission problems, including limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause near-collisions. These issues can leave you stranded or worse, so a pre-purchase transmission inspection is critical.
Complaints include lead frame issues and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults like these can be dangerous and expensive, so check for related recalls and test all electrical functions.
The rear window shattering incident is a standout, with no external cause. This suggests a defect that could happen without warning, so inspect the rear window and defroster operation carefully.
With 1,224 complaints, lighting problems are common, though specific symptoms aren't detailed in the sample. Faulty lights reduce visibility and can fail inspections, so test all exterior lights and check for recalls.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA K5 — 20 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
The risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2024 K5 vehicles. A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.
The risk: A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the check valve. The fuel tank will be inspected for damage and replaced as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 16, 2026. Owners may contact Kia custo…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K5 vehicles. A software error in the Power-net Domain Controller (PDC) may cause the parking lights to flicker. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 108, "Lamps, Reflective Dev…
The risk: Parking lights that fail to illuminate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The PDC software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this re…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 K5 vehicles. The left and right rear window trim pieces may loosen and detach.
The risk: Detached trim pieces can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the C-pillar trim assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
KIA K5 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The KIA K5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 83) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), meaning you're likely to see fewer reported problems overall. However, the K5 still has serious fuel and electrical complaints, while the F-150's higher volume includes many power train and electrical issues. In practice, the K5 may be easier to live with day-to-day, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The KIA K5 averages about 83 complaints per year, while the Ford F-150 averages about 1,162 per year, a huge difference in reported problem frequency.
- KIA K5 owners frequently report fuel tank expansion and gas spitting, a specific fire risk; Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures that can cause loss of power.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls over 10 years versus 20 for the KIA K5 over 6 years, meaning the truck has a much longer and more active recall history.
- Both have electrical complaints, but the K5's audio system screaming is unusual, while the F-150's rear window shattering due to a defroster short is a distinct safety concern.
- Check for fuel smell or evidence of fuel tank expansion around the filler neck, and ask if the fuel system recall was performed.
- Test the audio system at various volumes and over bumps to see if it intermittently blasts or malfunctions, which could indicate electrical issues.
- During a test drive, watch for transmission shudder, delayed engagement, or limp mode, especially when accelerating or shifting; ask about lead frame replacement.
- Inspect the rear window and defroster for cracks or signs of shattering, and test the defroster to ensure it doesn't short or overheat.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to confirm all open recalls are addressed, especially fuel system and transmission software for the K5 and powertrain recalls for the F-150.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission issues in the F-150 and sudden braking or stalling in the K5.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel tank and lines on the K5 for expansion or leaks, and check the F-150's transmission for stored codes and lead frame condition.
- Test all electrical features: audio system, lights, defroster, and windows, looking for intermittent faults or unusual noises.
- Ask for maintenance records and a pre-purchase inspection report, paying special attention to any prior repairs related to the reported complaint areas.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA K5 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 35 |
| 2025 | 51 | 345 |
| 2024 | 30 | 638 |
| 2023 | 107 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 129 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 167 | 5349 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA K5 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA K5 vs FORD F 150
- KIA K5 total complaints
- 497
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- KIA K5 total recalls
- 20
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- KIA K5 avg complaints/year
- 82.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- KIA K5
- KIA K5 top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN