ANNIE ALLEN
Kia America has announced yet another major safety recall—this time affecting 250,547 units of the 2021–2024 Kia K5, after U.S. regulators flagged a serious fuel tank defect that could cause the tank to melt, leak and ignite.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the vehicles—produced at Kia Georgia between March 27, 2020 and January 23, 2024—were built with a faulty check valve that can allow air into the fuel tank. The resulting pressure buildup can make the tank expand until it contacts hot exhaust components, potentially melting the tank and creating a fire hazard.
NHTSA’s notice is explicit: “A damaged check valve can allow air to enter the fuel tank, causing it to expand and contact hot exhaust components, melting the tank.”
Drivers may detect the fault through a popping sound near the tank, Check Engine Light (CEL) illumination, or the engine running rough. The recall is officially logged under campaign number SC356.
Kia dealers will inspect and replace the check valve at no cost, and replace the entire fuel tank if necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to go out in January, although concerned customers may contact Kia’s customer service at 800-333-4542.
Owners can also verify if their vehicle is affected using the NHTSA recall database.
For a brand seeking to restore global trust, this latest U.S. recall further exposes Kia’s lingering quality-control vulnerabilities—raising fresh questions about manufacturing reliability and safety oversight across the company’s product line.
©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL.
All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International
Contact: editor.motoringworldng@gmail.com
