Kia Niro Complaints
531 consumer complaints on file.
- #11422740June 29, 2021STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently made an abnormal clicking sound upon turning the steering wheel in either direction without warning. Over time, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V159000 (Steering) however, the Vin was not included. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11422579June 28, 2021HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, an abnormal sound was heard, and the vehicle lost forwards momentum. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. As the contact exited the vehicle, an abnormal odor appeared under the hood. There were no flames present. The contact stated that oil was seen leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was unable to drive. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V257000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11419182June 1, 2021ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11415003May 3, 2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF APRIL 2021, AND JUST AFTER THE ODOMETER TURNED OVER TO 10K MILES, MY E-NIRO HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A BIZARRE BEHAVIOR THAT POSES A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. THIS TAKES THE FORM OF TOTAL LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS, USUALLY AFTER DEACCELERATING TO A NEAR STOP (USUALLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS, WHEN USING THE PADDLE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL TO REGENERATIVELY BRAKE) THEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, OR WHEN MAKING A VERY TIGHT TURN (E.G., INTO A PARKING SPACE). POWER RETURNS A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE PAUSE, AND I CAN CONTINUE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS, AND THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING SIMILAR HAPPEN PRIOR TO THE START OF THIS BEHAVIOR AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED AND CHARGED NORMALLY AND NO EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS OR OTHER FACTORS HAD BEEN PRESENT BEFORE THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. INSTANCES NOW SEEM TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, HOWEVER. ON 2 OR 3 OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY BACKED UP A COUPLE OF FEET (ON LEVEL GROUND), WHICH WAS FRIGHTENING BOTH FOR ME AND THE AUTO BEHIND ME AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. ON THE OTHER OCCASIONS, BEING MOMENTARILY UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IS ALSO CONCERNING (FOR INSTANCE WHEN IT DIES HALFWAY INTO A TRAFFIC CIRCLE OR IN AN INTERSECTION WHEN STARTING TO MAKE A TURN). ALTHOUGH NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE INITIALLY SEEN, I NOW GET A "CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" WARNING WHEN THIS POWER LOSS HAPPENS, SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN THERE HAS BEEN NO LOSS OF POWER TO THE MOTOR. THE WARNING LIGHT DISAPPEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF AND ONLY REAPPEARS WHEN ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURS. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT THIS, WITH NO FIRM RESPONSE YET. I'M REPORTING TO DOCUMENT THIS IN THE EVENT OTHERS EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11413613April 23, 2021POWER TRAIN
SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2020, OUR NIRO HAS BEEN AT A KIA SERVICE CENTER 12 TIMES AT 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO GET OUR NIRO TO REPLICATE, WHAT I THINK IS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE, DURING THE MILE OR TWO THE TECH TEST-DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHEN I AM COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, ONCE IN A WHILE I HEAR A VERY LOUD BANG OR A MOMENTARY LOUD SCRAPING NOISE AS IF A METAL SPATULA IS BEING SWIFTLY DRAGGED ACROSS A SLAB OF CONCRETE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LUNGE FORWARD AS IF I AM SLIPPING ON ICE OR WET LEAVES. AT A FEW DEALERSHIPS, I HAVE DESCRIBED IT LIKE ALMOST COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN GETTING HIT FROM THE REAR. THIS, TO ME MEANS GEARS ARE GRABBING WHAT GEARS GRAB (I ASSUME OTHER GEARS) AND CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO TURN AND THUS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO ROTATE WITHOUT REASON TO DO SO. SINCE MY FOOT IS NOT COMPLETELY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I AM STILL SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT (OR A STOP SIGN, SPEED BUMP, DRIVEWAY, PEDESTRIAN, ETC), THE CAR MAKES THAT NOTORIOUS LOUD BANG OR SCRAPE SOUND AND THEN JOLTS FORWARD A BIT, ENOUGH TO SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. NOTHING ALERTS ME WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENED AND WHEN IT DOES, THE CAR GETS AWAY FROM ME UNTIL I CAN FULLY BRAKE OR UNTIL THE GEARS DISENGAGE (OR STOP DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE).
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11413022April 20, 2021STEERING
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS- IN REVERSE AND MOVING FORWARD.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11407600April 12, 2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
WHEN WE ARE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM BEEPS/CHIRPS A WARNING. OUR VEHICLE IS STOPPED, NOT MOVING AT ALL. THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, OR NEXT TO US IS ALSO STOPPED, NOT MOVING. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE LIGHT BEEPS CAUSING US TO BE CONCERNED THAT WE MIGHT GET INTO A COLLISION. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IS A TESLA, MERCEDES OR OTHER HIGH END CAR, BUT ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IS NOT A TYPICAL HIGH END BRAND. THIS SAFETY CONCERN HAPPENS RANDOMLY, NOT EVERYTIME WE ARE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS WITH A VIDEO AND PROVIDED THIS TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS FROM KIA ENGINEERS ON WHAT THEY SHOULD DO. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN, THEY CLEANED THE CAMERA LENS ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, ONLY ONE WAY TO ELIMINATE AN EASY FIX. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND THE SERVICE WRITERS TOLD US THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND KIA SHOULD HAVE A FIX, BUT IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 1 YEAR SINCE OUR INITIAL COMPLAINT. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS CONCERN TO HIGHER LEVELS WITHIN KIA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR TRY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11406006April 1, 2021POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT MY 2019 CAR ON DECEMBER 2020. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, AND I START FORWARD, THE CAR JERKS AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME RANDOMLY, BUT ONCE VERY 15 STOPS IN AVERAGE, ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 DAYS. I WENT TO AN ONLINE FORUM OF KIA OWNERS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM COMES FROM THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING PUT INTO THE CAR DURING PRODUCTION. THERE IS A KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT DEALS WITH CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2020/MC-10174520-0001.PDF BUT WHEN I CALLED KIA USA, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT ASSOCIATED TO MY VIN. I HAVE BEEN 5 TIMES TO 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED BECAUSE THEY HAD DIFFICULTY REPRODUCING AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. BUT THE SECOND DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE ONCE. I TOOK 2 VIDEOS (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR) OF THE PROBLEM, WHERE ONE CAN HEAR THE LOUD NOISE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11404338March 22, 2021STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1. STEERING WHEEL COUPLER MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 2. TOXIC NAUSEATING AMMONIA TYPE FUME IS EMITTED FROM THE HEATER CORE WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. DEEKER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. BOTH PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER NIRO OWNER AT KIA NIRO FORUMS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11398541March 1, 2021POWER TRAIN
ONGOING ISSUE: RANDOMLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP, UPON ACCELERATION THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AS IF I AM BEING REAR-ENDED. POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER WHEN THE GAS ENGINE IS IN USE MORE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11383538December 15, 2020ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER RK KIA OF VINELAND LOCATED AT 612 N. DELSEA DR BUILDING 1, VINELAND, NJ 08360 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11383350December 14, 2020UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VOLUME ON VESS AND BACKUP ALERT SYSTEM GREATLY EXCEEDS RECOMMENDED LEVELS, TO THE POINT WHERE BACKING UP OUT OF GARAGE CAN ANNOY NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOMES. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL STRIP MALL, THE VOLUME OF THE BACKUP ALERT FROM THE VESS WAS SO SHOCKING THAT IT STARTLED A PEDESTRIAN, CAUSING THEM TO TRIP AND ALMOST FALL ON THEIR FACE. KIA DOES NOT PROVIDE A WAY TO REDUCE VESS VOLUME TO CLOSER TO NHTSA RECOMMENDED LEVELS. ALSO, VESS STAYS ENGAGED UP TO AROUND 23 MPH, MAKING IT AN ANNOYANCE TO PEOPLE WE SHARE THE ROAD WITH UNDER LOWER SPEED CONDITIONS SUCH AS NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11375412November 19, 2020STRUCTURE:BODY
2 DOOR HANDLE COVER BROKE UNDER NORMAL USE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11365017October 18, 2020POWER TRAIN
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2020 KIA NIRO EX PREMIUM PHEV ON 10/10/2020 AND REGRET IT. LESS THAN A WEEK AND 50 MILES IN WE HAD THE "CHECK ACTIVE AIR FLAP SYSTEM" WARNING. APPARENTLY THIS A KNOWN PROBLEM, HTTPS://WWW.KIANIROFORUM.COM/THREADS/2020-PHEV-CHECK-ACTIVE-AIR-FLAP-SYSTEM.9142/ HOW RIDICULOUS THAT A WELL KNOW AND VERY WIDESPREAD FAULT LIKE THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE THE SALE. THE 1-800 PEOPLE WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT ANSWER EVEN THE MOST SIMPLE QUESTION. Q - IS THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE? A - IF YOU FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE THEN DON'T DRIVE IT. VERY CAVALIER BUT I SUSPECT THE REP WAS NOT PROVED DETAIL AND SCRIPT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT KIA DIRECTLY AND ALSO VIA THE BBB. FROM WHAT I SEE THE DEALER IS ALSO A VICTIM. I AM BUILDING MY CASE FOR A LEMON LAW RETURN. HOW SAD A LARGE AND EXCITING PURCHASE GOES WRONG SO QUICKLY AND THAT BASIC SAFETY QUESTIONS CAN'T BE ADDRESSED. *LN CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY STOP AUTOMATICALLY AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE ON IT'S OWN. SCAN SHOWED FAULTY BODY CONTROL MODULE WHEN CONSUMER FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.*JB *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11355331September 16, 2020UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS IF I HAD PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN PARK GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT CAN HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 6400 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 6600 MILES. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS FLAT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11355333September 16, 2020EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE REVERSE LIGHTING IS INADEQUATE FOR REVERSE CAMERA IN DARK, WHICH PRODUCES GRAINY BACKUP CAMERA IMAGE. THE CAMERA WORKS FINE IN DAYLIGHT. THIS MAY REQUIRE PROPER LIGHTING OR CAMERA THAT WORKS WELL IN DIM LIGHT CONDITION. ALSO, THE CAMERA IS EXPOSED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RAIN AND SNOW.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11351885August 28, 2020SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION WHILE TAKING THE EXIT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT STATED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (POMONA KIA SUPERSTORE LOCATED AT 8 RIO RANCHO RD, POMONA, CA 91766) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.*DT*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11343331August 4, 2020POWER TRAIN
WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS STILL SHOWING IT IN PARK AND OFF.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11343051August 3, 2020ENGINE
THE SERVICE ENGINE VALVE WITH "CHECK ACTIVE AIR FLAP SYSTEM" ERROR MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. THE DIAGNOSTIC ERROR THAT COMES UP IS AAF - P059F. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AIR COMPRESSION TEST WERE COMPLETED AND PROPERLY FUNCTIONING. I HAVE SUBMITTED 3 PICTURES WITH THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE CODE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATE NOT ALL SAVED IN THE CAR'S ECM. THE LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN STARTING AS WELL AS WHILE DRIVING. NOTICED THAT THE CAR TAKES LONGER TO CHANGE GEARS OR GO INTO EV MODE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11326198May 27, 2020ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KAEARNY MESA FORD KIA DEALER (7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BOULEVARD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858)560-6965, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0