Kia K5 Fuel Tank Damage Risk of Fire
critical How serious is it? About this label
Kia says a melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 25V794000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Nov 17, 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Part affected | Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Vehicles covered | 4 model/year combinations, model years 2021–2024 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Kia says a damaged check valve in some K5 vehicles can let air get into the fuel tank. That extra air can make the tank expand, and the expanded tank can touch hot parts of the exhaust system. Contact with the hot exhaust can melt the fuel tank, so Kia is having dealers check and fix the part before that happens.
What you should do
2. Contact a Kia dealer or call 800-333-4542 to schedule the inspection and repair.
3. The check valve replacement and any needed fuel tank replacement are free.
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 25V794000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (4)
Who to contact
Kia — official Kia recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-333-4542
The bigger picture
- Kia Fuel System Recalls Cover Leaks and Lost Drive Power · all 7 Kia recalls in this area
Other Kia K5 recalls
- Jan 27, 2026Kia Instrument Panel Display May Failhigh
- 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
- Jul 8, 2021Kia K5 And Sorento Fuel Line Leakcritical
Official notice
- Component
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary
- 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.
- Safety risk
- A melted fuel tank can leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- 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 customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC356. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 1, 2025.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.