Kia K5 Power Steering Effort Can Suddenly Increase
high How serious is it? About this label
A sudden increase in steering effort while turning can make the vehicle harder to control and raises the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V447000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jun 14, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Kia Motors America |
| Part affected | Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2021–2022 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
On certain Kia K5 vehicles with a specific engine, the power steering system may not be able to detect a loss of communication within itself. If this happens while driving around a curve with the lane-following feature turned on, the amount of help the steering gives may not adjust the way it should, causing the steering wheel to suddenly feel much harder to turn.
What you should do
2. Contact a Kia dealer to have the steering software updated; Kia customer service is available at 1-800-333-4542.
3. The repair is free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 21V447000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
Kia — official Kia recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-333-4542
Other Kia K5 recalls
- Jan 27, 2026Kia Instrument Panel Display May Failhigh
- Nov 17, 2025Kia K5 Fuel Tank Damage Risk of Firecritical
- Jul 28, 2025Kia K5 rear window trim may loosen and detachmedium
- May 27, 2025Kia K5 Parking Lights May Flicker From Software Errorlow
- Mar 7, 2023Kia K5 Side Curtain Airbags May Not Deploy Properlyhigh
- Oct 11, 2022Kia K5 and Sorento May Lose Powerhigh
Official notice
- Component
- LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST
- Summary
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L T-GDI engines. The Rack-Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (R-MDPS) system lacks the ability to diagnose communication faults. If a communication fault occurs while driving around a curve with Lane Following Assist (LFA) engaged, the steering assist level may not adjust properly, causing a sudden increase in the steering effort required.
- Safety risk
- 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.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.