Kia K5 vs Tesla Model S
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Kia K5
- Total complaints
- 459
- Avg per model year
- 78
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 9
- Most complained year
- 2021 (159)
Top problems: Fuel/propulsion System, Electrical System, Unknown OR Other
Tesla Model S
- Total complaints
- 3,362
- Avg per model year
- 225
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 38
- Most complained year
- 2015 (666)
Top problems: Electrical System, Unknown OR Other, Suspension
Complaints by model year
| Year | Kia K5 | Tesla Model S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 3 | ||
| 2025 | 47 | 6 | ||
| 2024 | 27 | 38 | ||
| 2023 | 103 | 109 | ||
| 2022 | 123 | 136 | ||
| 2021 | 159 | 175 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.