# Kia K5 power steering warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 52 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (20) - **Related recalls:** 1 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 52 owner complaints about the power steering warning light on the Kia K5 (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (20). There is **1 recall** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. ## Kia K5 power steering warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the power steering light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 20 | 1010 | 2% | | 2016 | 11 | 760 | 1% | | 2017 | 7 | 257 | 3% | | 2018 | 7 | 233 | 3% | | 2019 | 2 | 213 | 1% | | 2020 | 1 | 153 | 1% | | 2021 | 1 | 170 | 1% | | 2022 | 2 | 130 | 2% | | 2023 | 1 | 112 | 1% | 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 power steering warning light **[21V447000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=21V447000)** (2021-2022 models, reported 2021-06-14): A sudden increase in steering effort can increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Dealers will update the R-MDPS software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are were mailed June 24, 2021. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC213. 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 - "It says no power steering. No cruise control. No lane departure and a few other lights are popping on every time I turn my car on and they all stay on. So far it isn't preventing me from driving it but none of my safety features work" -- owner of a 2023 Kia K5, complaint filed 2025 - "Well that was the 7th now last night I'm driving around Tallmadge ave and BOOM everything lit up I lost power steering my lights shut off completely and it was close to midnight! It was insane I am luckily a very good driver because I almost went right off the road!" -- owner of a 2022 Kia K5, complaint filed 2025 - "The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel failed to turn in either direction. Additionally, during the failure several unknown warning lights were displayed. After turning off and restarting the vehicle, the failure self-corrected on several..." -- owner of a 2021 Kia K5, complaint filed 2022 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the power steering warning light means The power steering light means the car has detected a fault in the steering assist system, and steering may feel much heavier, especially at low speed and when parking. On most newer cars with electric power steering, a low battery or charging voltage is a common cause. On older cars with hydraulic steering, low fluid or a slipping belt is more likely. You can still steer without assist, but it takes much more effort. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Low battery or charging voltage** (common) 2. **Electric power steering motor or module fault** (common) 3. **Low power steering fluid (hydraulic systems)** (common) 4. **Steering torque or angle sensor fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Power steering warning light](/warning-lights/power-steering). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia K5 power steering light? Yes. NHTSA lists 1 related recall (21V447000) covering 2021-2022 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 power steering light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 K5 model years have the most complaints mentioning the power steering warning light, with 20 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 power steering light on? Drive to a shop this week. If steering still feels normal, you can drive carefully to a shop. If steering becomes heavy, jerky or locks up, or the light is red, pull over and stop driving; have the car towed, because sudden loss of assist at speed or in a tight turn can cause a crash. ### 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 - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-k5): 25 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 - [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 ## Power steering warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ram-1500): 1061 complaints - [Chevrolet Colorado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-colorado): 810 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/ford-explorer): 498 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chevrolet-silverado): 389 complaints - [Honda Civic](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-civic): 387 complaints - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-cr-v): 362 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/chrysler-pacifica): 252 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-wrangler): 248 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/jeep-grand-cherokee): 231 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/honda-accord): 220 complaints ## Kia K5 - [Kia K5 specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-k5) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-k5 Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.