# Kia K5 airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 25 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (11) - **Related recalls:** 4 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 25 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Kia K5 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (11). There are **4 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Kia K5 airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 11 | 1010 | 1% | | 2016 | 3 | 760 | 0% | | 2017 | 4 | 257 | 2% | | 2018 | 2 | 233 | 1% | | 2019 | 1 | 213 | 0% | | 2020 | 2 | 153 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 112 | 1% | | 2026 | 1 | 14 | 7% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Kia K5 recalls related to the airbag warning light **[23V149000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V149000)** (2021-2023 models, reported 2023-03-07): Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will inspect and reinstall the side curtain air bags, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2023. **[21V164000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V164000)** (2021 models, reported 2021-03-11): In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. **[17V007000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V007000)** (2016 models, reported 2017-01-06): In the event of a crash, an air bag that does not inflate fully increases the risk of injury. **Remedy:** The affected vehicle was remedied on January 10, 2017. **[16V231000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V231000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-04-21): If the second stage air bag does not deploy it increases the risk of injury or death. **Remedy:** Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Kia K5 owners report - "I did not observe any airbag/SRS warning light, warning message, or other indication of an airbag problem before the collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)" -- owner of a 2026 Kia K5, complaint filed 2026 - "I was involved in a head on collision, all of my safety warning notified me but my airbags NEVER deployed. This is a serious safety hazard especially with many problems being reported with airbag deployment. The adjuster and collision center both stated at the rate of speed from the accident, the airbags should have..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia K5, complaint filed 2025 - "Then on top of that my air bag light came on Jan 4, 2024. They said it was my responsibility it's not covered 1138.67 it would cost me. Then in Feb kia corporate sent me a letter about airbags. I did not go back because the light eventually went off by itself without a fix, then April 17, 2024 the original problem..." -- owner of a 2020 Kia K5, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia K5 airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 4 related recalls (23V149000, 21V164000, 17V007000, 16V231000) covering 2016-2023 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Kia K5 years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 K5 model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 11 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia K5 with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Kia K5 has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia K5 warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-k5): 29 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-k5): 26 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-k5): 23 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-k5): 518 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-k5): 36 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-k5): 159 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-k5): 52 complaints - [Tire pressure (TPMS) light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/tire-pressure/kia-k5): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-k5): 36 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Kia K5 - [Kia K5 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-k5) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-k5 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.