The Kia Niro spans 2017–2026 with 15 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2023, 2022, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2017, 2018, 2019. It delivers up to 113 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Kia Niro is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2017 to 2026 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Kia Niro by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Kia Niro — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Kia Niro VIN — every digit explained
Every Kia Niro carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Niro.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Niro VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Kia Niro have?
The Kia Niro has 15 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2025 Kia Niro recalls 1
Seats
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.
2024 Kia Niro recalls 1
Seats
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.
2023 Kia Niro recalls 2
Seats
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk. A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
2022 Kia Niro recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
2021 Kia Niro recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
2020 Kia Niro recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
2019 Kia Niro recalls 1
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
2018 Kia Niro recalls 3
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
Hybrid Propulsion System
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.
Risk. Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Hybrid Propulsion System
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
Risk. The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.
2017 Kia Niro recalls 4
Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
Hybrid Propulsion System
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.
Risk. Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Hybrid Propulsion System
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Kia Niro vehicles. The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) inner oil seal may leak, allowing oil to accumulate in the cap area, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HCA caps for leaked oil and replace the HCA assembly if needed, or replace the HCA cap with additional sealant. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC163.
Hybrid Propulsion System
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
Risk. The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.
Best and worst years for the Kia Niro
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 10 tracked years, the worst years are 2023, 2022, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2017, 2018, 2019.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Niro | 0 | — | Best |
| 2018 Niro | 0 | — | Best |
| 2019 Niro | 0 | — | Best |
| 2020 Niro | 0 | — | Average |
| 2021 Niro | 9 | Power Train | Average |
| 2022 Niro | 27 | Service Brakes | Avoid |
| 2023 Niro | 38 | Electrical System | Avoid |
| 2024 Niro | 7 | Electrical System | Average |
| 2025 Niro | 11 | Forward Collision Avoidance | Avoid |
| 2026 Niro | 0 | — | Average |
What are the most common Kia Niro problems?
The most-reported Kia Niro problems are Base (1 reports), Shell (1 reports) and Tires (1 reports) — out of 92 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Electrical System 21 Read
What happened? While driving my 2025 KIA Niro on [XXX] , I stopped at a red light behind another vehicle. Suddenly, my car was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing a significant impact that pushed my car forward into the vehicle in front. The seat belts deployed but I sustained a broken nose from hitting the steering wheel. My daughter and I were taken to the hospital for treatment. Component or System that Failed or Malfunctioned: The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat, which may have prevented the front airbags and seat belts from deploying properly, and could have caused an unintended side curtain airbag deployment. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The malfunction posed a serious safety risk as the airbags and seat belts may not have functioned as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Reproduction of the Problem: The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center yet. Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected by the police and insurance representatives after the accident. Warning Lamps, Messages or Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Best Assessment of Incident and Cause: The recall notice issued by KIA indicates that the floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front airbags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain airbag deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving my 2023 Kia Niro PHEV into my garage after running an errand, going very slowly. Suddenly the vehicle--all on its own--surged forward, slammed into the rear wall (triggering air bags), ricocheted backward across the street, and struck a neighbor's fence. I was able to get out of the car but I was in shock; paramedics were called. Ultimately, my injuries were found to be limited to bruised ribs, but it has been very painful and limiting. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was pronounced a total loss. I received a settlement check from my insurance company, but I am out-of-pocket for the deductible, costs relating to getting a new vehicle, and of course the pain and suffering. I was told there was an event data recorder (EDR) on the vehicle, and my insurance adjuster will tell me what it reveals (I hope). There was no warning of any kind that this was about to happen. I was fortunate that it happened where it did; had I been driving the vehicle on the street, I could have killed someone (including myself).
Took car in and dealership kept it. Recall indicated that parts were available, however, dealership says that because there's additional fraying of wires, they don't have the parts. When I contacted Kia corporate, they confirmed that they have release of parts indicated as "TBD." According to NHTSA records, they should have the parts but they say they don't and can't indicate when parts will be available.
The 12-volt battery system in my 2024 Kia Niro (VIN: [XXX] ) has suffered two total failures in under one year of ownership (approx. 10,000 miles). In both instances, the vehicle was completely unresponsive, with no power to essential systems. Safety Risks and Incidents: 1. [XXX]: Vehicle experienced a total power loss. It would not start and all electrical systems were dead. 2. [XXX]: Identical failure. These failures create a significant safety risk by potentially stranding the driver in hazardous locations and disabling critical safety systems, including hazard lights, power steering assist, and emergency braking. If a total power loss occurs while the vehicle is in motion, it could result in a sudden loss of motive power and control, posing an unreasonable risk of accidents or injury. Dealer/Manufacturer Confirmation: The problem was confirmed by Ourisman Kia of [XXX] ). The dealer replaced the 12-volt battery after identifying diagnostic code D04 ("Insufficient Battery Charge Condition Identified"). Despite proof of regular use (1,000 miles/month), Kia America has denied warranty coverage, claiming "insufficient driving". Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or messages prior to either failure. The vehicle functioned normally until it became completely inoperable. I have since installed a third-party battery monitor to mitigate the risk of being stranded by a third failure. Evidence of Trend: A technician at the dealership noted a similar 12V failure in another new 2024 model (Carnival). Numerous other 2024 Niro owners report identical "parasitic drain" issues on NHTSA and consumer forums, suggesting a systemic manufacturing or software defect in the charging system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65-70 MPH on the highway, the radio panel went blank. The vehicle was blowing cold air on the driver's side while the passenger’s side was blowing hot air. The contact stated that there was slush on the driveway and the vehicle slid. There was a triangle symbol with an exclamation mark displayed. The message that the camera had disengaged was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and after several hours, the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that rodents had built a nest in the engine due to the soy-based insulated wires. The dealer noticed a mouse, nuts, and seeds after disassembling the vehicle. The dealer ordered an electrical wiring harness. The dealer called the tire manufacturer, who confirmed the tires were working as designed. The contact replaced the tires. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called and notified the insurance company of the issues. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 9,999. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the vehicle had been "Hacked" by a stalker. While driving, the vehicle was controlled by the hacker to randomly steer to the right. Additionally, the contact stated that the hacker caused several features on the instrument panel to become disabled. No additional information was available. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45.
USB connectivity is intermittent. This involves using the USB A connection in the center console as a port for stored media (music files) on a USB drive and Android Auto. The connection will connect and disconnect randomly regardless of the car being stationary or moving. The intermittent connectivity occurs regardless for all USB cables or thumb drives that I have tried. The vehicle is available for inspection. This presents a safety hazard due to the loss of connectivity for Android Auto while driving and the resultant sudden increase in driver distraction that is generated. Multiple steps and layers of infotainment screen navigation can be required to get to a workaround for music or navigation. The problem has been explained to the dealer service center multiple times but they are unable to replicate it and are explained that they are unaware of the issue on other similar vehicles. Video recordings of the intermittent functioning have been shown to the dealer. Since they could not replicate it, they are unwilling to correct the issue. The issue was first noticed in October 2024 and initially explained to the dealer service in February 2025.
On multiple occasions, the car has flashed an error on the dash stating there was a problem with the hybrid system. It immediately slows down without time to merge over causing extreme danger on a busy highway several cars swerved to miss the Kia because there was nothing I can do. this has happened several times and Kia is well aware as I’ve had multiple communications with them.
I received a recall notice SC332 several weeks ago. In February I visited ALM Kia in Perry, GA. The sercice advisor ordered parts, I have checked with ALM Kia several times and they keep telling me the parts have not arrived. This is a serious safety issue and I need your help. Thank You, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This May of been a cause of a defective Harness Assembly that has taken a few tries to get repaired (Harness is fixed but problem still continues randomly). Since then, my car has stalling problems, randomly, sometimes multiple time in one drive. I have no way to replicate it on my own just that it "can happen" anytime and has subjected me to waiting on the side of the road for the engine computer to "reset" or needs for a tow. Ive been in the dealership at least twice for this with a 3rd this week. Me and the dealer thought it may go away with the new harness installed but it still remains
Power Train 13 Read
The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Niro Hybrid. The contact stated that while at a stop light the warning message "transmission overheating" had displayed and the vehicle did not drive forward. The contact attempted to push the vehicle offer the road when suddenly the vehicle accelerated forward and drove on the opposite side of the over a curb and drove into oncoming traffic and crashed head on into a second vehicle. The vehicle the drover over a curb and down an embankment and crashed. The failure mileage was 140,000.
My car has clunking noises coming from the front left suspension, they occur more often and getting louder. After doing some research online, I found that the symptoms are similar to the NHTSA recall number 24V-057. Unfortunately, the NHTSA recall didn't include Niro plug-in hybrid manufactured in year 2023, only Niro EV. I took it to the service center nearby. They said it's the strut, so what they will do is to dismantle it and put more lubrication when I return again to perform a strut "maintenance". If there are still noises, then they will order a new replacement strut. However, from what I read online, it's actually the driveshaft that causes the problem, hence the recall 24V-057. Please investigate into Kia Niro 2023 plug-in hybrid vehicles having the same problems and issue new recall if possible. Thank you.
I am experiencing the same issues as the individual who documented incident #11685147. When I turn the shifter to drive and let my foot off the brake, with auto-hold on, the will still roll backwards, even on flat ground, and not respond to me pushing the gas pedal. I have to put the vehicle back into park, and try again. Oftentimes I have to shut the vehicle completely off to be able to get the vehicle to respond to me shifting it to drive and accelerating forward. This occurs multiple times, but I have dated the incident to be the approximate time when this issue started.
Each time I don't drive for a few days and start driving again, the car jerks/jolts as it's shifting gears (both when I'm accelerating and decelerating). The sudden jolts is dangerous as I'm gauging cars ahead and behind me as I'm driving. But when I brought it up to the service department, they said they can't diagnose it if it isn't happening at the moment, but by the time I've driven to a dealership, my car is warmed up and not jolting anymore.
Car makes "clicking noises" when accelerating or braking that appears coming from engine bay or front wheels. Other users reported similar issue on consumer forum: [XXX] ) Car dealership does not have availability to diagnose the issue until next month. Car currently has 55,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine light indicating error code P040100. Dealership noted excessive buildup in emission tube, cooler plugged and needs replaced, EGR valve needs replaced. Car has less than 35k miles.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact recently received a recall notice that stated that parts were now available. The dealer was notified of the letter but stated that parts remained unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact's husband owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and Hybrid System warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the hydraulic clutch actuator. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train). The VIN was included but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, California to inspect the car to ascertain if it was still safe. The dealer refused to inspect or take any remedial action. To date there has been nothing from Kia to correct the problem. However, the 2023 and 2024 Kia Niro Hybrids do not have the fire hazard problem; these years were NOT in the recall warning. Kia should have offered a remedy by now since the problem was obviously corrected in the next two years.
Forward Collision Avoidance 11 Read
My wife was in an accident on [XXX] around [XXX] at the intersection of [XXX] . She had exchanged safety information with the person whose vehicle had stalled. She went to shut off the car upon exchanging the information and after pressing the ignition button the vehicle began to roll. She was outside of the vehicle when she had pressed the ignition button. She tried physically to stop the vehicle, trippped and was dragged until the vehicle came to a stop after running over her leg and hitting a tree. The vehicle had recall items addressed on October 2 or 3rd. She was trying to stop the vehicle from rolling as she knew that school was letting out and a school bus would be coming on the road she was at. I contacted the dealer about it and they stated that they had never heard of this happening with there vehicles and to call customer service. The police officer verified verbally that the vehicle was in park when he checked on the condition of my wife who sustained serious injuries on her left leg and was hospitalized for surgery and wound treatment. This is the first time that we ever had an issue with the vehicle. It started when the vehicle in front of her had stalled and backed into her (although his story changed after the injury to my wife). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact leased a 2025 Kia Niro. The contact was stopped at a traffic light during the night. When the light changed, the contact was partially turning when the other vehicle slammed into the contact's vehicle. No injuries were reported. The contact stated that the front collision sensor failed. The contact was not warned of the impending collision. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was taken to the collision center. A police report was filed. The contact believed that the sensor failed in the evening and worked as intended during the daytime. The insurance company was notified of the accident. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
Forward collision system fully activated while driving eastbound in the fast lane on [XXX] . The sun was behind me. No glare. No cars or objects were in front of me or next to me. The dashboard started flashing and warning sounds activated and the car slammed on the brakes itself. The seatbelt locked up and left me bruised. Miraculously, the cars behind me avoided crashing into me while I accelerated out of it. I could have been killed. Dealership minimized my concerns. I don’t want to drive this car ever again unless someone can make sure it doesn’t happen again. This safety feature malfunctioning is a death trap. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a serious safety concern regarding the 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid and its adaptive cruise control system. When the cruise control is activated and set to maintain a certain speed, the vehicle continues at that speed regardless of whether there are other vehicles in front of it. In multiple instances, the car approached slower-moving vehicles at 45 mph without reducing speed or giving any warnings. There was no automatic braking or even a prompt to alert the driver of the imminent danger. This is extremely dangerous and could easily result in a rear-end collision if the driver is not fully alert. It is especially surprising because the same vehicle features intelligent climate control functions—such as adjusting fan speed during phone calls and preventing windshield washer fluid odors from entering the cabin while the A/C is running. Given the level of attention to such minor details, the lack of basic forward collision mitigation behavior is unacceptable. The issue was reported to a Kia service center, but no clear explanation or resolution was provided. I believe this may be a software bug or a design oversight that has not been properly acknowledged. Recommendation to other drivers: always keep your eyes on the road and be ready to intervene, even if the adaptive cruise system is engaged. The risk of collision is high if you rely on the system to slow down for vehicles ahead. This needs to be investigated immediately before it leads to serious accidents. I urge the NHTSA to review this issue and, if necessary, request a recall or software update from the manufacturer.
Driving VA Interstate 64. Traveling right side travel lane approximately 70 mph. Had ADAS engaged. Car entering highway, moved to center travel lane to pass. As I approached entering highway car, suddenly, my car stalled, engine off and I was stopped in center travel lane. Able to start car by putting transmission in park and pressing start button. Called KIA Car Care Center - They have no record of this type situation occurring throughout country. Took car to dealer. Their Technology Service Rep checked whole system and found no problems including memory bank listing the stall/stoppage incident. I will go to dealer and ask for their report. 2nd incident. Happened within first month or ownership 10/23. I dismissed incident as something I must have done due to my lack of familiarity with new technology.
Last year, I purchased a new 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid and had a 24-month lease contract on it. After 9 months (5,700 miles), my car started having problems (Forward Collision Warning, random loss of power steering). My car had to be towed twice to a KIA dealership, where I was told nothing was wrong with my car. They finally agreed to run a scan on the electric syste, where they found a few communication issues. After doing a system update, KIA told me the problems were fixed, however, the car kept having the same problems plus a new one (random Automatic Emergency Braking). At this point, the car was too unreliable to drive so I returned it to my KIA dealership. Although the car clearly had problems that Kia couldn’t fix, I had to pay to get out of my lease and ended up buying another car, not a KIA. I am reporting the issues with the 2023 KIA Niro Hybrid to make sure people are aware of the issues on this particular car in case it is put on the pre owned market. I believe we’ve been very lucky not to get into an accident, my [XXX] drove it in the city and on the highway and I can't imagine what would have happened if the Automatic Emergency Braking would have gone off then. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My dashboard screen has turned off completely 3 different times in the 14 months I have had the vehicle. It is normally off for several days at a time. When it is off, I have no access to my speed, gas, or any other controls shown on that display. When I run the KIa diagnostic tool, it tells me there is an issue with my airbags. Kia has a recall for this issue but refuses to apply the recall (software update) to my vehicle because it was manufactured 19 days before the recall period. I have photos and videos that I have shared with Kia Corporate every time it happens. Below is the reply from Kia Corporate "Dear [XXX] , Thank you for your inquire. We apologize the service campaign in reference is not related to customers vehicle. If we release a Service Campaign also known as a Safety recall, the customer with the affected vehicle will receive a letter in the mail. This campaign is for Niro thats production date is between September 14, 2022 to March 8, 2023, customers vehicle production date is [XXX]. If you are still having concerns customer is welcome to take the vehicle to an alternate Kia Dealer for a second opinion. Sincerely, [XXX] Phone | [XXX] Kia America" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I backed out of my drive and began to go forward. Five times in my 2023 Kia Niro HEV within one block the dashboard began to flash red, beeping sounds were emitted, and then the brakes slammed rapidly bringing the car to a stop. My attempts to accelerate were futile until the car let me accelerate about 5 -10 seconds later.. There was absolutely nothing in front of me or to the sides of me or anything coming towards me. This was entirely phantom braking. In four of these phantom forward collision avoidance ( FCA) instances there was nothing in back of me. However, the fifth episode involved a car that was in back of me and nearly rear ended me with the sudden illogical stop caused by the phantom braking. I had the car towed to the dealership. The car dealer did not find any log of this happening and could not make it happen on demand. After three weeks of looking at it, they finally called their national tech line and decided a sensor need to be realigned. They took the fender off the car, did the realignment and declared the vehicle repaired.
Forward Collision System: When stopped or at low speeds, the vehicle’s forward collision warning will activate for short intervals (roughly 1-2 seconds) randomly. Hybrid Battery: The vehicle won’t go below 50% battery on the hybrid battery and the engine unnecessarily turns on to charge back to 90% when hitting 50% rather the exercising a wider range on the battery such as 20-80%
The components and systems failing are the brakes, adaptive cruise control, smart stop n go cruise control and electrical. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. The auto cruise control doesn’t give a safe distance to stop at (u r close enough to not see there tires) from the car in front of u in case someone hits u from behind. It also doesn’t stop at the same distance it’s set at for the speed distance option. The car also doesn’t emergency brake itself when getting super close to the car in front of u. It only gives u warning sounds n shows that on the dash. I’ve already learned that with my young daughter in the backseat. No not reproduced by dealership Yes looked at by dealership Yes warning sounds n an alert on the dash but no action from the car. My car is brand new!!! Auto cruise control works great when the car is moving, but when utilizing “stop and go”, the car stops way less than 1/2 a car length from the car in front. A dangerous distance anywhere in my opinion. Changing the following distance does not change this stopping distance behavior. The dealership/s have been no help with most of the techs describing the stop and go feature as not stopping (Its the older models that have had this type of ACC, where the driver has to stop the car) So if they can’t understand the issue, there is no way to get them to correct the issue. I have found other drivers with similar issues so I know I’m not the only one. But I am the only one taking to time to say and do something about this huge safety problem for a brand new car.
Air Bags 11 Read
What happened? While driving my 2025 KIA Niro on [XXX] , I stopped at a red light behind another vehicle. Suddenly, my car was rear-ended by another vehicle, causing a significant impact that pushed my car forward into the vehicle in front. The seat belts deployed but I sustained a broken nose from hitting the steering wheel. My daughter and I were taken to the hospital for treatment. Component or System that Failed or Malfunctioned: The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat, which may have prevented the front airbags and seat belts from deploying properly, and could have caused an unintended side curtain airbag deployment. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The malfunction posed a serious safety risk as the airbags and seat belts may not have functioned as intended, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash. Reproduction of the Problem: The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center yet. Inspections: The vehicle has been inspected by the police and insurance representatives after the accident. Warning Lamps, Messages or Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Best Assessment of Incident and Cause: The recall notice issued by KIA indicates that the floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front airbags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain airbag deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was in a very light two-car collision on 08-09-2023. Both cars had little to no damages, just very minute scratches that are very hard to see. But two of the airbags on my KIA Niro (front and knee) deployed suddenly, causing me to black out for a couple of minutes and later have a concussion, and the bottom airbag caused a bruise and consistent knee pain to this day. My car is at a Kia Service facility and has been for the past 3 weeks and we haven’t gotten any information from them as to what the problem was. I visited this facility to get some answers and I stated that I think this car has a problem with the airbags, a Kia employee responded with “do not tell that to your insurance”. I have called and called to get answers and they say they don’t know are are trying to figure out why the airbags deployed. Everyone I have spoken to (police officer and paramedics at time of collision, claim adjustor, third-party mechanic etc) all think it’s very strange that the airbags deployed. I have read that KIA currently has airbag recalls on some models and I’m suspecting that my car could also be affected by this. The car is at a Kia facility where it CAN be inspected.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the crash the front driver side air bag, the driver's side curtain airbag and driver's side lower leg air bags all deployed as intended but the she sustained severe flesh wounds to both lower legs due to the airbags deploying. The contact was transported to the local trauma center and required multiple surgeries and skin grafts due to the injuries sustained from the airbag deployment. A police report was taken at the scene. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but the manufacturer was not yet contacted. The contact was concern that the injuries were caused by metal fragments from the air bags deploying. The failure mileage was 200.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at 5 MPH, the vehicle was T-boned on the passenger's side by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driving at high speed. Due to the impact, the contact's head struck the dashboard. The other vehicle fled the scene of the crash. The airbag deployed on the passenger side but did not deploy on the driver's side. No warning light illuminated. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where the contact was informed that the vehicle would be destroyed. The contact sustained an eye and face injury, body aches, and a detached ear. Medical attention was received at the hospital, where the contact was stabilized and referred to the Primary Care Physician for future care. The contact called both an unknown local dealer and an independent mechanic, but there was no response. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact called the auto finance company and was referred to the insurance company. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving my 2023 Kia Niro PHEV into my garage after running an errand, going very slowly. Suddenly the vehicle--all on its own--surged forward, slammed into the rear wall (triggering air bags), ricocheted backward across the street, and struck a neighbor's fence. I was able to get out of the car but I was in shock; paramedics were called. Ultimately, my injuries were found to be limited to bruised ribs, but it has been very painful and limiting. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was pronounced a total loss. I received a settlement check from my insurance company, but I am out-of-pocket for the deductible, costs relating to getting a new vehicle, and of course the pain and suffering. I was told there was an event data recorder (EDR) on the vehicle, and my insurance adjuster will tell me what it reveals (I hope). There was no warning of any kind that this was about to happen. I was fortunate that it happened where it did; had I been driving the vehicle on the street, I could have killed someone (including myself).
I was driving on a 70mph hwy and traffic came to a full and sudden stop due to a car cutting across lanes a few cars ahead of me. There was no time for me to stop and I couldn’t see the traffic stopped. The car in front of me was able to stop without hitting anyone but I could not. Airbags did not deploy and this concerned me even though I was not injured.
Took car in and dealership kept it. Recall indicated that parts were available, however, dealership says that because there's additional fraying of wires, they don't have the parts. When I contacted Kia corporate, they confirmed that they have release of parts indicated as "TBD." According to NHTSA records, they should have the parts but they say they don't and can't indicate when parts will be available.
I am filing a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Niro and Safety Recall SC332. The recall involves a damaged floor wiring assembly that may prevent proper airbag and seat belt deployment, creating a serious safety risk. I scheduled and brought my vehicle to Cowboy Kia, Conroe on Feb 2,2026 specifically to have this recall repaired, but the dealership did not complete the recall service and returned the vehicle without fixing the issue or providing a clear explanation. This is a manufacturer-issued safety recall and should be addressed promptly at no cost. I am requesting immediate repair and an explanation for the failure to perform the recall work.
I received a recall notice SC332 several weeks ago. In February I visited ALM Kia in Perry, GA. The sercice advisor ordered parts, I have checked with ALM Kia several times and they keep telling me the parts have not arrived. This is a serious safety issue and I need your help. Thank You, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My dashboard screen has turned off completely 3 different times in the 14 months I have had the vehicle. It is normally off for several days at a time. When it is off, I have no access to my speed, gas, or any other controls shown on that display. When I run the KIa diagnostic tool, it tells me there is an issue with my airbags. Kia has a recall for this issue but refuses to apply the recall (software update) to my vehicle because it was manufactured 19 days before the recall period. I have photos and videos that I have shared with Kia Corporate every time it happens. Below is the reply from Kia Corporate "Dear [XXX] , Thank you for your inquire. We apologize the service campaign in reference is not related to customers vehicle. If we release a Service Campaign also known as a Safety recall, the customer with the affected vehicle will receive a letter in the mail. This campaign is for Niro thats production date is between September 14, 2022 to March 8, 2023, customers vehicle production date is [XXX]. If you are still having concerns customer is welcome to take the vehicle to an alternate Kia Dealer for a second opinion. Sincerely, [XXX] Phone | [XXX] Kia America" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine 11 Read
The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complaint has been investigated and dismissed! In order to publicize this event as much as possible to warn the public about this dangerous safety issue, I have posted the following on my X account ( [XXX] ) and have asked family and friends to spread the information as much as possible. Appreciate you contacting me at [XXX] and/or [XXX] about this. Post 1: Hybrid Car Warning! If you drive a hybrid and get a Hybrid Motor Failure warning, STOP IMMEDIATELY and seek help! My 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid flashed this warning—I drove straight to an auto shop nearby. What happened next was terrifying… ( 1/3) Post 2: As I tried braking to park, the brakes failed, and the car accelerated instead! I barely avoided the shop, parked cars & trees—but I jumped a curb, went in & out of a ditch, and stopped across a major road. A red light saved me from being hit! ( 2/3) Post 3: The airbag deployed, hitting my chest hard. My chest is in pain. I had a major lumbar surgery in 2021 and my back is a mess ChatGPT indicates several possible causes, but the most relevant is a hybrid motor failure may cause unintended acceleration & brake issues. Post 4: Drivers, take these warnings seriously! ️ Stay safe! #HybridCar #Safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65-70 MPH on the highway, the radio panel went blank. The vehicle was blowing cold air on the driver's side while the passenger’s side was blowing hot air. The contact stated that there was slush on the driveway and the vehicle slid. There was a triangle symbol with an exclamation mark displayed. The message that the camera had disengaged was displayed. The contact turned off the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to restart. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and after several hours, the vehicle started. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that rodents had built a nest in the engine due to the soy-based insulated wires. The dealer noticed a mouse, nuts, and seeds after disassembling the vehicle. The dealer ordered an electrical wiring harness. The dealer called the tire manufacturer, who confirmed the tires were working as designed. The contact replaced the tires. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called and notified the insurance company of the issues. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 9,999. The VIN was not available.
I am experiencing the same issues as the individual who documented incident #11685147. When I turn the shifter to drive and let my foot off the brake, with auto-hold on, the will still roll backwards, even on flat ground, and not respond to me pushing the gas pedal. I have to put the vehicle back into park, and try again. Oftentimes I have to shut the vehicle completely off to be able to get the vehicle to respond to me shifting it to drive and accelerating forward. This occurs multiple times, but I have dated the incident to be the approximate time when this issue started.
This May of been a cause of a defective Harness Assembly that has taken a few tries to get repaired (Harness is fixed but problem still continues randomly). Since then, my car has stalling problems, randomly, sometimes multiple time in one drive. I have no way to replicate it on my own just that it "can happen" anytime and has subjected me to waiting on the side of the road for the engine computer to "reset" or needs for a tow. Ive been in the dealership at least twice for this with a 3rd this week. Me and the dealer thought it may go away with the new harness installed but it still remains
I was 3 1/2 weeks into a four year lease driving this brand new car and it stopped completely in the middle of the road flashing a HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE warning. I nearly died. It would not move nor turn off. Had to be in the shop for 2 weeks. I don’t feel safe in this car and I want out of this lease asap. Kia is not willing to work with me on this
Problem 1, Check Engine Light: I purchased the used car on Jan 9 2025, around 23,400 miles from Kia Dealership, capitol Expy in San Jose. Today 05/27/2026, the odometer reads 26, 407 miles. My car is used only twice a week - 20 miles on Fridays, 12 miles on Wednesdays. My car has less than minimum wear and tear and is barely used. I completed my 25K service after Thanksgiving in Nov 2025. I have not even driven 1500 miles and the car is back in for service. Prior to this, within a month of purchasing my car Kia replaced the battery in my car. Around Mar 15, 2026, the Check Engine Light displayed. I called the Kia Dealership on Capitol Expy in San Jose 3-4 times, but they Kia dealership don't call back. On 05/15/2026, for the first time I drove about 50 miles return trip. While driving North on I-280 from [XXX] to [XXX] , over rolling hills that had some incline, the Check Engine Light came on.I scheduled service. I experienced that the vehicle struggle to climb the incline of rolling hills, after the battery charge was exhausted and the engine was running only on gas. The gas was 3/4 full. This is a safety hazard for me to be interrupted by Check Engine Light twice while driving and that too when my car has not even completed 30K miles. My car is sin Service on 05/26/2026 and in the shop for 3 days diagnosis. The Kia Dealership has yet to determine the problem. I have had to rent my own rental car even though I purchased Extended Warranty on the car. Problem 2, Blind Spot Warning Light on right side mirror: On 05/13/2026 and on 05/22/2026, the Blind Spot warning light on right side mirror does not display oncoming traffic when my car is parallel to the lane markings. On 05/13/2026, I was driving at 30mph and on 05/22/2026 I was stationary in the center divider. In both instances, the passing driver had to honk at me really loud -- to avert an accident. Both problems are severe safety hazards. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The vehicle has a recurring P0420 code (“Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold Bank 1”). A boroscope inspection at Ricardo Caballero Kia Santa Isabel (invoice #[XXX] dated December 5, 2025) confirmed internal disintegration of the catalytic converter, with physical pieces of the catalyst falling out when the exhaust pipe was removed. This failure appears related to Recall 23V534 (SC276) and TSB PS709 (overheating / coolant boiling issues in 2017-2022 Niro Hybrid models). Motorambar, Inc. (official Kia distributor in Puerto Rico) has ignored my warranty claim since December 2 and December 22, 2025 (more than four months). Motorambar is now refusing to authorize a courtesy loaner vehicle at the dealer Ricardo Caballero Kia Santa Isabel, claiming the tests will take less than 5 days. This leaves me without transportation. The catalytic converter is fully covered under the Federal Emissions Warranty (8 years / 80,000 miles). I request that NHTSA investigate this as a potential safety and emissions defect and require Kia / Motorambar to: 1. Immediately repair or replace the catalytic converter under warranty at no cost. 2. Provide a courtesy loaner vehicle during the repair. 3. Reimburse previous diagnostic costs of $449.17. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle with code p0420, Kia dealership technician say: the problem was the spark, proceeded to change it and clear code. Check engine turn on again, the same person say: it’s a ring piston, the car was leaked engine oil to exhaust and he see blue smoke, no evidence for part of dealership and dealership never mention the car was consuming excessive engine oil. I mentioned the law of emission to change the catalyst and the boss say: I can’t change it but the problem will be come but never do anything to change it. In other dealership Kia the technician dismantle the exhaust and see ceramic part coming from the catalyst, his recommendation is change it. Dealership make a formal petition to motorambar distributor official ok Kia in PR and motorambar refuse to change the part with the evidence provide by dealership: technician report and photos. I call motorambar in 2 times and the only thing motorambar do is creating ticket to escalated to technician, never received call from this ticket, this occurred on fort week of December 2025 and today is 19 January of 2026 and not received any call from motorambar.
Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, California to inspect the car to ascertain if it was still safe. The dealer refused to inspect or take any remedial action. To date there has been nothing from Kia to correct the problem. However, the 2023 and 2024 Kia Niro Hybrids do not have the fire hazard problem; these years were NOT in the recall warning. Kia should have offered a remedy by now since the problem was obviously corrected in the next two years.
EV motor and drive train have a clattering noise, much like a playing card attached to a bicycle clattering against the wheel spokes. it speeds up and slows down with the acceleration of the motor.
Service Brakes 10 Read
On Oct 4, 2024, a driver rolled into my car on an incline. While waiting for the police, I looked inside my car and thought the engine was still on. (Flashers). I turned the power button and the car began to roll backwards. I jumped in and tried the break. Pedal went all the way to the floor and car rolled faster. Moved gear shift around and kept rolling faster and faster (incline). I had my left foot out of the car and right on the break. At one point, I was thrown out of the car and my left leg was run over. Car stopped when it hit a tree. Three weeks in hospital and rehab. Still haven’t been able to return to work.
The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complaint has been investigated and dismissed! In order to publicize this event as much as possible to warn the public about this dangerous safety issue, I have posted the following on my X account ( [XXX] ) and have asked family and friends to spread the information as much as possible. Appreciate you contacting me at [XXX] and/or [XXX] about this. Post 1: Hybrid Car Warning! If you drive a hybrid and get a Hybrid Motor Failure warning, STOP IMMEDIATELY and seek help! My 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid flashed this warning—I drove straight to an auto shop nearby. What happened next was terrifying… ( 1/3) Post 2: As I tried braking to park, the brakes failed, and the car accelerated instead! I barely avoided the shop, parked cars & trees—but I jumped a curb, went in & out of a ditch, and stopped across a major road. A red light saved me from being hit! ( 2/3) Post 3: The airbag deployed, hitting my chest hard. My chest is in pain. I had a major lumbar surgery in 2021 and my back is a mess ChatGPT indicates several possible causes, but the most relevant is a hybrid motor failure may cause unintended acceleration & brake issues. Post 4: Drivers, take these warnings seriously! ️ Stay safe! #HybridCar #Safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the Hybrid Engine alarm activated and illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle for a few hours, and when restarting the vehicle, the alarm was no longer displayed. The contact continued to drive at approximately 5 mph. When pressing the brake pedal to park, the brake pedal floored with no resistance, and the vehicle began to accelerate. The contact immediately turned the vehicle towards the left to avoid crashing into a nearby building, jumped a curb into a ditch, causing the vehicle to bounce several times, and landed on the main street where it came to a stop. The air bags were deployed when the vehicle jumped the curb, landing in the ditch. The contact received bruises and cuts to their right leg and femur, chest, and back injuries. Medical attention was needed. The vehicle was damaged on the front end and was towed. It was not determined if the vehicle was totaled as of yet. A police report was filed. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I bought my Niro hybrid EX Touring new from the dealership in 2023. The first issue arose when the car shut off completely while driving and was towed to the dealership. Later, I started hearing a squeaking/rubber rubbing sound. The car would make squeaking and creaking noises when turning or going over minor bumps. The "rubber rubbing sound" happened when I was at a full stop, right after removing my foot from the brake, as the car began to move forward. These issues were both reported to the dealership, and they did an inspection. The dealership service center has been able to hear the sounds. Since then, the calliper boots have been replaced multiple times and the full calliper kit once. The strut bearing has also been replaced multiple times. Consistent issues with the car's braking system is a significant safety issue. I have no idea what damage the rest of my car could have sustained, and I have not been able to get an answer for why this is happening. I have also been in contact with the manufacturer.
When attempting to activate the parking brake there is no response from the vehicle. No matter how many times in attempting to activate the parking brake it would not activate. The only way to successfully activate the parking brake was if "auto hold" was on and i turned off the vehicle. i have a safety concern regarding this matter as the vehicle could potentially roll away if the car is unattended. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the service center as of yet but it will be inspected on 01/14/2026. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -I have received a "Check Brake Light" warning several times now, even after replacing the bulbs. I have replaced them twice now in the past 6 months and the issue persists. I believe it to be a faulty sensor or something similar. Yes, it is available to inspect upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I do not know if my brake light is functioning properly as this warning indicator comes on intermittently even though the light has been replaced and even when it seems there is nothing wrong with the light. It is very stressful. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I took my car to the dealership in November 2025 and they couldn't find any issue. The indicator light did not come on at the dealership but came on again later in the week. They even replaced both brake lights hoping that would help. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The dealership service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No other symptoms.
I got my oil changed and since I picked it up, I have an EPB light on and my “auto-hold” is orange, I also can’t set my cruise control. This disables safety features on my car- adaptive cruise control.
My right brake light keeps going out and it was “fix” before my the Kia dealership and they said it was just a lose harness but months later it has happened again, the warning light constantly comes on and the power to the light is intermittent. It is currently back into the shop to run another diagnostic
Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no history of accidents. It’s a safety issue now because it could be a wiring issue.
Just over 2 weeks after purchase of new Kia Niro the brakes failed completely. The regenerative brake light appeared in red along with the ABS light and several others. I was driving in a major highway and had no pressure in the brake pedal, leaving me completely unable to brake. I dropped the car to “manual” second gear” and rode (very fortunately on a straightaway) until I was able to apply the emergency brake. The Niro was towed to the dealership who has had the vehicle ever since. They are uncertain of the cause, have opened a tech case with Kia, and reportedly order parts. I have initiated a buyback with Kia as I am not willing to out my family’s life at risk.
Vehicle Speed Control 7 Read
The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complaint has been investigated and dismissed! In order to publicize this event as much as possible to warn the public about this dangerous safety issue, I have posted the following on my X account ( [XXX] ) and have asked family and friends to spread the information as much as possible. Appreciate you contacting me at [XXX] and/or [XXX] about this. Post 1: Hybrid Car Warning! If you drive a hybrid and get a Hybrid Motor Failure warning, STOP IMMEDIATELY and seek help! My 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid flashed this warning—I drove straight to an auto shop nearby. What happened next was terrifying… ( 1/3) Post 2: As I tried braking to park, the brakes failed, and the car accelerated instead! I barely avoided the shop, parked cars & trees—but I jumped a curb, went in & out of a ditch, and stopped across a major road. A red light saved me from being hit! ( 2/3) Post 3: The airbag deployed, hitting my chest hard. My chest is in pain. I had a major lumbar surgery in 2021 and my back is a mess ChatGPT indicates several possible causes, but the most relevant is a hybrid motor failure may cause unintended acceleration & brake issues. Post 4: Drivers, take these warnings seriously! ️ Stay safe! #HybridCar #Safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was backing out of a tandem parking spot in a private garage and got too close to a pillar, and tried to pull forward into the spot. It felt like the car got snagged on the pillar, but while pulling forward slowly, the gas pedal snapped off and the car accelerated quickly and uncontrollably. I was able to avoid hitting other cars but drove straight into a concrete wall despite immediately braking. I'm relatively uninjured, but if it had happened in a less controlled environment and/or I hadn't reacted as quickly, there could have been serious injuries to myself or others. There was no indication of an issue prior, and the car is currently in storage with my insurance company and will be appraised next week. I have photos of the broken pedal.
While entering into a parking spot at minimal speed, the vehicle experienced an unexpected spontaneous acceleration, causing it to lunge forward, climb onto the curb, and collide with the adjacent building. This resulted mainly in damage to the front end and front passenger door, and the shattering of a large tempered glass window that cushioned the impact. Thankfully, there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk, and the impacted office space was unoccupied at the time of the incident. It is important to note that I was not utilizing the cruise control at the time of the spontaneous acceleration incident and that the vehicle had only been driven 1760 miles since it was purchased, further highlighting the totally unexpected nature of the occurrence. This alarming event of the car accelerating on its own, when it had come to an almost full stop, leads me to believe that the car could pose a significant safety risk. I am deeply troubled by the potential consequences of this spontaneous acceleration; no warning light or collision safety feature turned on. I consider that it is imperative for Kia to conduct a thorough investigation and retrieve the vehicle data to determine the root cause of the incident.
Situation: Slowing on exit lane from freeway while in I-Pedal mode. Anomaly: As i gradually lifted the accelerator pedal, at about 61 mph the car strongly accelerated. My response: I lifted my foot entirely off the accelerator pedal and scanned the dash to confirm that cruise control was not active. Acceleration continued. I tapped the accelerator pedal and the acceleration stopped. We were now at 69 mph and close to the car in front of us.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact constantly depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the residence while depressing the brake pedal to prevent the unintended acceleration. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
My dashboard screen has turned off completely 3 different times in the 14 months I have had the vehicle. It is normally off for several days at a time. When it is off, I have no access to my speed, gas, or any other controls shown on that display. When I run the KIa diagnostic tool, it tells me there is an issue with my airbags. Kia has a recall for this issue but refuses to apply the recall (software update) to my vehicle because it was manufactured 19 days before the recall period. I have photos and videos that I have shared with Kia Corporate every time it happens. Below is the reply from Kia Corporate "Dear [XXX] , Thank you for your inquire. We apologize the service campaign in reference is not related to customers vehicle. If we release a Service Campaign also known as a Safety recall, the customer with the affected vehicle will receive a letter in the mail. This campaign is for Niro thats production date is between September 14, 2022 to March 8, 2023, customers vehicle production date is [XXX]. If you are still having concerns customer is welcome to take the vehicle to an alternate Kia Dealer for a second opinion. Sincerely, [XXX] Phone | [XXX] Kia America" INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I got my oil changed and since I picked it up, I have an EPB light on and my “auto-hold” is orange, I also can’t set my cruise control. This disables safety features on my car- adaptive cruise control.
Fuel/propulsion System 6 Read
While entering into a parking spot at minimal speed, the vehicle experienced an unexpected spontaneous acceleration, causing it to lunge forward, climb onto the curb, and collide with the adjacent building. This resulted mainly in damage to the front end and front passenger door, and the shattering of a large tempered glass window that cushioned the impact. Thankfully, there were no pedestrians on the sidewalk, and the impacted office space was unoccupied at the time of the incident. It is important to note that I was not utilizing the cruise control at the time of the spontaneous acceleration incident and that the vehicle had only been driven 1760 miles since it was purchased, further highlighting the totally unexpected nature of the occurrence. This alarming event of the car accelerating on its own, when it had come to an almost full stop, leads me to believe that the car could pose a significant safety risk. I am deeply troubled by the potential consequences of this spontaneous acceleration; no warning light or collision safety feature turned on. I consider that it is imperative for Kia to conduct a thorough investigation and retrieve the vehicle data to determine the root cause of the incident.
I was 3 1/2 weeks into a four year lease driving this brand new car and it stopped completely in the middle of the road flashing a HYBRID SYSTEM FAILURE warning. I nearly died. It would not move nor turn off. Had to be in the shop for 2 weeks. I don’t feel safe in this car and I want out of this lease asap. Kia is not willing to work with me on this
Forward Collision System: When stopped or at low speeds, the vehicle’s forward collision warning will activate for short intervals (roughly 1-2 seconds) randomly. Hybrid Battery: The vehicle won’t go below 50% battery on the hybrid battery and the engine unnecessarily turns on to charge back to 90% when hitting 50% rather the exercising a wider range on the battery such as 20-80%
While slowing down (without bringing it to a full stop) to make a left turn, car dies, losses all propulsion power just coasts. First it happened intermittently than more often. First it happened in low speed later even with highway speed. After bringing it to a park position and restarting car it will run fine until another incident.
Intermittent warning to "Refill Inverter Coolant" displays on the dash screen. This is a known issue pursuant to SA512 (ELE 270 Rev 3) due to faulty coolant that crystallizes and interferes with the sensor. However, per Kia, it is only covered under standard warranty (5 years/60k miles) and while my vehicle is within the year warranty, it is over the mileage. Quote was to replace "Chiller, water pump and flush coolant system" at a cost of $2369.02 including parts and labor. Dealership will not perform recommended maintenance of coolant flush (every 37k miles) without replacing these parts. If this was a known defect why is there a limitation to the SA? It should be covered as a recall, not a voluntary service alert. I am unable to properly monitor the in-dash warnings regarding coolant levels until this problem is fixed
Vehicle has been submitted for repair under recall RCRIT-23V534-0846. DTC P17ED - Engine clutch system EOL fault, is set and has never gone away. Initially the dealership did the recall in the spring of 2024. It was taken to the dealership after an accident and returned with the same DTC. I believe the DTC was never repaired; it is a non-MIL light so it is easy to miss. It was taken back, and they claimed to bleed a clutch. DTC is still present. Taken back again, wiring harness was ordered and replaced, DTC is still present. The dealership (Serra Kia, 12300 30 Mile Rd, Washington Twp., MI 48095, 586-281-2800) has failed to fix this issue. The attached invoice is a 3rd attempt to fix the recall and they refused to do it at no cost.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Kia Niro specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Kia Niro. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
How the Niro's size changed by generation:
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 174″ | 72″ | 62″ | 107″ | 3,717 lb |
| 2017–2020 | 172″ | 71″ | 61″ | 106″ | 3,166 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Kia Niro cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Niro holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 105 cu ft of passenger volume and 23 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Kia Niro tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Kia Niro get?
The Kia Niro returns up to 113 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine. Pick an engine to see its city / highway / combined rating by year:
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Niro | 52 | 49 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2018 Niro | 52 | 49 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2019 Niro | 52 | 49 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2020 Niro | 52 | 49 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2021 Niro | 53 | 48 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2022 Niro | 53 | 48 | 50 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2023 Niro | 53 | 54 | 53 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2024 Niro | 53 | 54 | 53 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2025 Niro | 53 | 54 | 53 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| 2026 Niro | 53 | 54 | 53 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
| Year | City | Highway | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Niro | 123 | 102 | 112 | Electric |
| 2020 Niro | 123 | 102 | 112 | Electric |
| 2021 Niro | 123 | 102 | 112 | Electric |
| 2022 Niro | 123 | 102 | 112 | Electric |
| 2023 Niro | 126 | 101 | 113 | Electric |
| 2024 Niro | 126 | 101 | 113 | Electric |
| 2025 Niro | 126 | 101 | 113 | Electric |
| 2026 Niro | 126 | 101 | 113 | Electric |
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov — best combined rating per engine & year. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
What engines does the Kia Niro have? Power & range
The Kia Niro is offered with 2 powertrains — 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | FWD | Regular |
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | FWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Kia Niro cost to own?
A Kia Niro depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Niro loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — ≈ $3,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Niro ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Kia Niro safe?
The Kia Niro earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Niro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 Niro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Niro | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Niro | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Niro | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| 2021 Niro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Niro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 Niro | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Niro | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2017 Niro | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
How many miles does a Kia Niro last?
A well-maintained Kia Niro typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Decode your Kia Niro’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Kia Niro model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Kia Niro — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Niro | 0 | 113 mpg | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 Niro | 1 recall | 113 mpg | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Niro | 1 recall | 113 mpg | ★★★★★ |
| 2023 Niro | 2 recalls | 113 mpg | ★★★★★ |
| 2022 Niro | 1 recall | 112 mpg | ★★★★★ |
| 2021 Niro | 1 recall | 112 mpg | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Niro | 1 recall | 112 mpg | ★★★★☆ |
| 2019 Niro | 1 recall | 112 mpg | ★★★★☆ |
| 2018 Niro | 3 recalls | 50 mpg | — |
| 2017 Niro | 4 recalls | 50 mpg | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Niro?
By owner-complaint volume, 2023, 2022, 2025 drew the most reports. 2017, 2018, 2019 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Niro have?
15 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Niro get?
Up to 113 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Niro safe?
The Niro earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Niro last?
A well-maintained Niro typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Niro reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Niro is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Kia Niro warranty?
New Kia models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Kia dealer.
Where is the Kia Niro made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Niro's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Kia may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Niro have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.