80 of the
503 complaints filed about the KIA Niro
are about the electrical system —
16% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2017.
AC not working, recall SA512 is needed, Kia wont cover the cost of replacing electrical components. Thermal Runaway / Fire Risk: The broken compressor prevents the battery thermal management system from cooling the main high-voltage lithium-ion battery package, creating an overheating hazard during driving or DC fast-charging. Sudden Loss of Power (Motive Power): Battery overheating can trigger a sudden "safe mode" or turtle mode, dropping your speed to zero unexpectedly on the highway.Impaired Driver Visibility: The lack of functional cabin heating prevents windshield defrosting, severely impairing the driver's ability to see the road safely.
NHTSA complaint #11755319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2017 Kia Niro Hybrid subject to Safety Recall SC276 (NHTSA Campaign 23V534) for the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA). Fluid contamination of the HCA PCB can cause an electrical short and engine compartment fire risk. Official remedy is HCA inspection/replacement as necessary plus a new fuse. Three dealer visits: Shortly after purchase for SC276 recall and routine service. Dealer performed HCA Inspect/Replace, reported no problem codes, and replaced the fuse. After sudden complete loss of propulsion on the freeway at 60-65 mph with a passenger. Engine RPM rose sharply as if in neutral. No accelerator response. Brake system warning lights illuminated. Had to pull over to the shoulder, shut off and restart before it would move. Took to dealer same day. They kept it several days, found no codes, could not duplicate, and released as "good to go." Vehicle later would not move and entered limp mode. Towed to dealer. That morning I replaced spark plugs myself with new NGK Laser Iridium Premium and informed the dealer. HCA fluid reservoir was empty. Dealer diagnosed internal leak in the HCA causing clutch contamination. Photos showed green fluid on undercarriage. Repair estimate exceeds $6900. Same Multi-Point Inspection that diagnosed the internal leak marked fluid leaks and fluids as Passed. Report still recommended spark plug replacement despite being told they were just replaced. Sudden loss of propulsion on public freeway with a passenger present, followed by complete loss of driveability due to internal leak of the same recalled HCA component, created a clear safety risk. Vehicle became undriveable and required towing. Prior "good to go" release left the vehicle on the road with an unresolved issue involving the recalled component.
NHTSA complaint #11754127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Falsification and/or alteration of repair logs, service dates, and/or mileage records across dealership diagnostic networks and third parties. Evasion of warranty and/or other maintenance requirements. Poor dealership and corporate treatment/harassment of military veterans. Suspected unauthorized non-factory wiring harness splices and/or other devices tapped directly into primary Controller Area Network (CAN-Bus) control modules on current model-year (2026) passenger vehicles; resulting in inconvenient and unsafe intermittent faults including potential thermal runaway/fire hazard, other potential safety hazards, severe mental distress, and time/financial losses. Real time telematics updates when parked ultimately resulted in total loss of vehicle, likely due to logic induced parasitic 12v battery drain from previously mentioned unauthorized aftermarket devices. Second ("new") vehicle from the same lot shows similar symptoms and contradicting Carfax reports. Parked pending investigations.
NHTSA complaint #11753634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2017 Kia Niro exhibits a dangerous low-speed engine surging hazard matching Safety Recall SC276. An authorized Kia dealership technician inspected the vehicle under RO #6115244 and formally documented 'seeping fluid residue' inside the clutch actuator housing. However, the dealership and Kia Corporate are refusing to honor the recall remedy and have released the car at a $0.00 balance while explicitly stating in writing that the vehicle is 'not safe to drive.' I am requesting federal intervention for safety campaign non-compliance.
NHTSA complaint #11753205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid EX has experienced multiple warning messages and unresolved concerns after previous repairs. After the first recall repair, I began receiving intermittent warning messages while driving. The messages appeared briefly and disappeared before I could safely document them. After a second repair, the transmission was replaced. Shortly afterward, the vehicle displayed an overheating warning. I returned to the dealership, but they stated they could not find a problem. While traveling out of state, on July 6, 2026, the vehicle displayed warnings indicating that the 12V battery needed to be charged. On July 8, 2026, the vehicle would turn on, but the engine would not start or operate. Multiple attempts to jump-start the vehicle failed, including using a portable jump pack, another vehicle, and assistance from a tow truck driver. The vehicle displayed warnings stating that the 12V battery needed charging, the battery was draining, and that the hybrid system needed to be checked. Because the vehicle could not be operated and I was stranded away from home, I am concerned about the reliability and safety of the vehicle. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs, including a transmission replacement, but I continue to experience warning messages and a loss of confidence in the vehicle's ability to operate reliably. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for possible safety concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11752872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Finally got car back from previous repairs and it was making a loud groaning noise all the time. Took it back to dealership and they said they had to repair the rack and pinion system and the gears were shredded. Employee says they now have another niro with the same problem as my original symptoms when transmission was replaced twice. Car has consistently had problems with the RPMs being incredibly high at low speeds but the dealership can’t seem to replicate the problem. Car randomly switched over to manual mode after a long drive. Video of problems given to employee and just said he’s going to give them to his field technician. Car has now been at the dealer for over 4 months and was finally returned because they can’t reproduce the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11752437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission was replaced but then completely shut down as I was making a right turn. Multiple indicators on dash went off and safety errors kept scrolling across dash. Vehicle then wouldn’t shift at all. TCM was replaced but vehicle has high RPMs at low speeds. Has been at the dealership now for over 90 days.
NHTSA complaint #11744906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On or around March 20, 2026, my 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid experienced a complete failure of the high-voltage hybrid battery system, rendering the vehicle undriveable. The vehicle was towed to Kia of South Austin. As of the date of this complaint (74 days later), no diagnosis has been provided, no parts have been ordered with trackable confirmation, and no repair timeline has been given. Kia Techline corporate engineers are reportedly involved but have provided no resolution. A sudden high-voltage battery failure in a hybrid vehicle raises potential safety concerns I believe warrant NHTSA's attention, particularly given the extended inability to diagnose or repair the system.
NHTSA complaint #11741447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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)
NHTSA complaint #11740374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle just shut down as I exited. The power and gas pressure decreased. Pulled over to see if my hybrid battery was defective or drained. It wasn’t. A notification popped up and said “Hybrid Control System or Low Voltage DC/DC Converter, Contact dealer for service. Finally got it towed to Kia of Valencia the next day and they said it was “Hydraulic Clutch Actuator” and they want charge me $2200 to fix it. But looking up the part, it says there’s a recall for that exact problem.
NHTSA complaint #11739377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On April 21, 2026, Go Kia Renton performed an oil change on my 2018 Kia Niro Touring (VIN). The car was in perfect condition just two weeks earlier — North Seattle Transmission did a full service on April 6, 2026 at 283,649 miles with no issues noted. Later that night while driving, the red oil light flashed. I pulled over immediately and called AAA. AAA towed the vehicle from Belltown [XXX] ) at 12:11 AM on April 23 to my house then at 9:14 AM towed it straight to Go Kia Renton. The AAA driver found oil leaking all over his tow truck. The car now has a dead battery and is showing Hybrid Control System / Low Voltage DC/DC Converter and Engine Control System codes. This appears to be a sudden engine seizure caused by oil loss shortly after dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11735577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
10.25" audio head unit. UVO no longer connects so that 911 and roadside assistance can not be reached. This is a known problem with 2019 and early 2020 Kia Niro's part# 96160-Q4210. I spoke to the Kia UVO Call Center and they confirmed that my unit is not communicating and has not since Dec. 2021. As I usually drive just around town I have not used UVO, but now that I'm on the road I need to be able to use this feature. I'm attaching a quote for a replacement unit
NHTSA complaint #11734752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) and the Under Hood Wiring Harness have failed due to internal fluid contamination and corrosion. Yes available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving. Per Safety Recall SC276, this component failure creates an electrical short and internal corrosion that poses a significant fire risk and potential for a sudden stall at high speeds, endangering the driver and other motorists. YES. Rusty Wallace Kia of alcoa confirmed the failure on 04/27/2026. They diagnosed the vehicle with DTCs P17EE and U1010. They provided a repair quote (RO XXX) for $9,431.48 to replace the corroded HCA and harness. YES. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Kia dealer (Rusty Wallace Kia of alcoa ). They are refusing to perform the Recall SC276 mandated repair, claiming it was "already completed" with a fuse swap in Jan 2024, even though the safety defect has now manifested as a full component failure. Yes. The HEV warning light and Check Engine light appeared. Symptoms include "Check Hybrid System" messages and the vehicle failing to engage the engine clutch. These symptoms appeared recently at approximately 107,000 miles. Then when i checked the car it vanished, no error on dashboard ,so i took the car back and was driving error showed up at 109k miles again They asked to repair the vehicle and the repair is not in my budget and i told them that its the recall related issue and they are denying and saying recall was done and they dont open recall again and I found in the document they provided they just did the fuse replacement not HCA unit and The fuse swap did help with the hca corrosion and its not in drivable state and it becae a fire hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11734200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle jolted and shook abnormally. The electrical system warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost partial power. The engine and hybrid warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was coasted off the roadway to a gas station. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown high-voltage fuse. The vehicle was repaired with a higher voltage fuse. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11729706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2020 Kia Niro PHEV. In October 2024, my dealership performed Technical Service Bulletin SA512 on my vehicle addressing the inverter coolant system. I was not informed at that time that the issue was likely to recur or that periodic maintenance would be required. In March 2026, the inverter coolant warning light returned. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership, where I was told the coolant had crystallized. The dealer confirmed this is a known recurring issue with this vehicle and stated it would need to be flushed approximately every two years since we drive relatively low miles per year (despite driving every day). I was not warned of this at any point. Furthermore, many owners likely drive it short distances every day since it is a plug-in electric vehicle. Kia denied goodwill coverage and I paid out of pocket for the repair. When I contacted Kia Customer Care, representatives gave conflicting information. One confirmed SA512 was performed as a service campaign, another stated it was only a TSB and declined coverage since my car is out of warranty (even though the warranty should still cover the battery and this is an electrical issue). A total case specialist I was assigned to said she would talk to the dealer and call me back but never did. The inverter cooling system is safety-relevant as it prevents the battery from overheating. The problem was confirmed and repaired by the dealership. The component is no longer available for inspection as the repair has been completed. Kia's issuance of SA512 suggests this is a known design issue affecting multiple owners of this model, and they informed the dealership that they could not cover the cost because if they did so, they would have to cover everyone with the same problem (again implying that the issue is quite widespread.)
NHTSA complaint #11727309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While traveling from upstate New York, the vehicle displayed an engine overheating warning shortly after startup while the engine was still cold. Because I was away from home, I stayed overnight and the next morning took the vehicle to a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealership inspected the vehicle and diagnosed a problem with the exhaust heat recovery system pipe. According to the service department, coolant is leaking internally through this component and is being burned in the exhaust system. The cooling system was pressure tested and held pressure externally, indicating the coolant loss is occurring internally through the exhaust heat recovery system rather than from an external leak. This condition can cause coolant loss and overheating while driving. If the engine overheats while the vehicle is in operation, it could create a safety risk due to sudden loss of power or engine damage. The dealership confirmed the diagnosis after inspection and testing and provided a repair estimate to replace the affected exhaust heat recovery system component. The overheating warning message was the first symptom observed prior to diagnosis. The problem was confirmed by the dealership after inspection and testing. This issue may indicate a defect in the exhaust heat recovery or thermal management system used in this hybrid vehicle, as coolant is entering the exhaust stream internally rather than leaking externally. If this type of failure occurs in other vehicles, it could lead to overheating while driving and potential engine damage.
NHTSA complaint #11724340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
One night the tailgate latch began clicking, locking and unlocking itself and then not latching closed, causing the inside light to remain on and the tailgate open indicator to display on the display panel. Then it just went dead and would not open at all, even if using the specific tailgate open key on the key fob. Then a few weeks later while driving on an empty street very slowly as I was turning a corner, with no warning the back windshield suddenly made a loud noise and then spontaneously shattered. I got out and looked around and there was no one else around or any other cars driving by. I did not hear any impact and also had my driver window down and did not hear any shots, and was not able to recover anything from the inside the back of the vehicle or on the ground that could have hit it. Kia will not cover the cost of the back windshield even though I still have 5 years left on the manufacturer warranty, and purchased the dealership warranty. There is a class-action lawsuit against Kia that is for the Telluride model windshields but according to Google my affect some Niros (Sanchez Vs Kia).
NHTSA complaint #11720581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hydraulic fluid is leaking onto the hydraulic clutch actuator’s circuit board, creating a potential fire hazard. The vehicle requires replacement of the dual clutch and slave cylinder. This failure occurred just over one year after Kia replaced the dual clutch and performed a full engine replacement at a Kia dealership. This condition is identical to a known safety recall affecting 2019–2022 Kia Niro vehicles involving hydraulic clutch fluid leaking onto the actuator circuit board and creating a fire risk. Although my VIN is not listed under the recall, the vehicle is the same year, make, model, and drivetrain and is exhibiting the same defect described in the recall. This appears to be a recurring safety defect involving the hydraulic clutch system.
NHTSA complaint #11715377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ever since the purchase of the car I been bringing this attention to the dealership but they always turn down and avoiding the situation at first electrical issues like turning signals goes in and out window stop rolling up sometimes had to try for hours just rolls up fog light check light headlight and turn signal all together went out in the beginning started to work in and out and now window turn signal front both and one fog light now won't come back and front Air Flap won't operate that's from the few months into the car check light and also in the beginning car transmission always felt rough not gears smoothly change I brought this attention but they always ask change the transmission fluid but it's was a new car felt that but never bothered looking into but over time got worst now it hit you when picking up like gear just stuck and your whole body gets that shock like someone hit you from the back every time and when comes to slow stopping making crying sound. It's like I made the biggest mistake why I decided to buy the new car because I know old cars have problems but this is Brand New I bought shouldn't have problems, and from it's was new always heard the click sound when move from complete stop like go from on red light or from any stop position click hear it from front never worried but was not feeling good why but now all of sudden it's unbearable sound when turning or making u turn loud like anything when acceleration but not in straight drive asked dealership about all the problems I been getting since was a brand new car the answered I got it's now not in the warrenty will cost to check wow what a rip off and when I use to say those problems when was in the warrenty they would say it's not the major issue and yes one time one of the tech specialists I mentioned he you know what he said made me sick we would try something but warrenty is BS it's a piece of *** we never get money easily so this is why they always refuse to take this seriously wow
NHTSA complaint #11712850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. Additionally, there was a delay with the image appearing on the screen when the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was unknown if the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start up, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the battery terminals were loose. The vehicle was repaired; however, when the contact arrived to retrieve the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer inspected the vehicle; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle had an open recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V426000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #11712922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.