Head-to-head reliability
KIA K5 vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA K5 and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The K5 averages 82.8 complaints per year with 20 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The K5's top issue is fuel tank expansion, and the Camry's is power train problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA K5 or Toyota Camry 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, and owner complaints average roughly 83 per year. The most common trouble spots are the fuel/propulsion system, electrical system, and engine, with reports of fuel tank expansion, gas spitting from the filler neck, and sudden loss of power. There are also 20 recalls covering areas like the roof pillars, fuel system, lighting software, and side curtain airbags. With 53 injuries and 3 deaths reported in crash-related complaints, a buyer should take these patterns seriously and have any used K5 inspected carefully.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a much larger complaint pool over ten years, averaging about 206 complaints per year. The most frequent issues owners report involve the power train, unknown or other systems, engine, service brakes, and electrical system, including stuck ignition keys, hesitation and shuddering, and brake pedal noises. There are 31 recalls, including seat and airbag occupant classification sensors, plus wheel lug nuts and bolts. Although the Camry has only 1 death reported in crash-related complaints, the higher annual complaint rate suggests that many owners experience problems that require dealer visits.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA K5 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 497 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 53 Better | 158 |
| 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 gasoline from the filler neck, sometimes with a pop sound and malfunctioning sensors. This is a serious fire risk and can leave you stranded or unable to fuel the car safely.
Complaints describe the audio system intermittently screaming at very high volume, making it impossible to hear the radio, phone, or turn it off. This distraction while driving is both annoying and potentially dangerous.
Some owners say the car suddenly feels as if the brakes were slammed and stops in the middle of the road, leaving them stuck in traffic. That kind of sudden loss of power can put you at risk of a rear-end collision.
Reports include the car stopping unexpectedly at low speeds and the audio system blasting uncontrollably. These vague but repeated symptoms point to electrical or software gremlins that can be hard to diagnose and fix.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the dashboard shows the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can mean costly transmission or engine work.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal, making the car feel unresponsive when you need to move. This can be frustrating and potentially unsafe when merging or pulling out.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. Brake problems are safety-critical and can lead to expensive repairs.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, often at night. That many simultaneous failures can overwhelm a driver and make the car unpredictable.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
KIA K5 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA K5 has far fewer complaints per year (about 83) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the K5's issues include severe fuel and electrical problems that can be dangerous. The Camry's higher complaint volume means you are more likely to encounter a range of annoying or costly repairs, though its problems are often less immediately hazardous. In practice, the K5 may have fewer overall trips to the shop, but the ones it has can be more serious.
Key differences
- The KIA K5 has about 83 complaints per year versus about 206 for the Toyota Camry, but the K5's top issue is fuel tank expansion and gas spitting, which is a fire hazard.
- The Camry's most common complaint area is the power train, with stuck ignition keys and hesitation, while the K5's most common is the fuel/propulsion system.
- The K5 has 3 deaths and 53 injuries in crash-related complaints, while the Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries, showing different patterns of harm.
- Both have recalls, but the K5's include roof pillars and fuel system, while the Camry's include seat and airbag occupant sensors.
- Check for any fuel smell or signs of fuel tank expansion, and look for gas residue around the filler neck.
- Test the audio system at various volumes and listen for sudden loud blasts or electrical interference.
- Try removing the ignition key multiple times to see if it ever sticks, and check for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the electronic parking brake and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Ask for a complete NHTSA recall history and confirm all recalls have been repaired.
- Have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and electrical components on the KIA K5, and the power train and brakes on the Toyota Camry.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, unusual noises, or warning lights.
- Check the age and condition of the battery, as electrical gremlins are common in both vehicles.
- Request service records to see if previous owners addressed the common complaints listed here.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 0 |
| 2025 | 51 | 163 |
| 2024 | 30 | 50 |
| 2023 | 107 | 64 |
| 2022 | 129 | 61 |
| 2021 | 167 | 157 |
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA K5 vs Toyota Camry
- KIA K5 total complaints
- 497
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA K5 total recalls
- 20
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA K5 avg complaints/year
- 82.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA K5
- KIA K5 top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN