Kia K5 vs Tesla Model S
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Sep 22, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Kia K5
- Total complaints
- 478
- Avg per model year
- 82
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 9
- Most complained year
- 2021 (165)
Top problems: Fuel/propulsion System, Electrical System, Unknown / Other
Tesla Model S
- Total complaints
- 3,381
- Avg per model year
- 226
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 38
- Most complained year
- 2015 (667)
Top problems: Electrical System, Unknown / Other, Suspension
Complaints by model year
| Year | Kia K5 | Tesla Model S | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 3 | ||
| 2025 | 51 | 6 | ||
| 2024 | 30 | 38 | ||
| 2023 | 107 | 113 | ||
| 2022 | 125 | 138 | ||
| 2021 | 165 | 178 |
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.