Kia Niro Complaints

531 consumer complaints on file.

#11708090December 31, 2025
ENGINE
Failed/leaking coolant heat exchanger which is integrated into the rear catalytic converter assembly. This seems to be a well-known issue with 2017-2020 Kia Niros. Leaks cause overheating of the engine or no heat in the vehicle and potential blown head gaskets. This issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. Car itself gave no messages or warnings regarding the leak.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706924December 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There were no symptoms prior to the warning message and warning symbol on the dash. Warning message was "Check EV System". I took my car to the dealer immediately. The dealer has had my car for 3 1/2 months, since Sept 12, 2025. Now the field tech from Kia, on 12/22/25, says that the Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) needs to be replaced. This could have cause the vehicle to stop in the middle of traffic and cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704438December 11, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Engine Overheated - Turn Engine Off" was displayed with white smoke coming from the exhaust system. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the coolant level was extremely low. The contact stated that coolant was added to the reservoir; however, hours later the coolant level was low again. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket was blown and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703967December 9, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703599December 7, 2025
AIR BAGS
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11703232December 5, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that occasionally driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to stop as intended while the brake pedal was depressed, and the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The message "Stop - Regenerative Braking Failure" was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle as a temporary repair; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and a 91400 fuse Kit was installed, and various repairs were performed. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket; however, approximately one month later, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, where it remained. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 23V534000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed; however, was the claim was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702976December 4, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702025November 29, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701883November 28, 2025
ENGINE
The heat exchanger (exhaust heat recovery system) on my 2017 Kia Niro has been diagnosed by an authorized Kia dealership as leaking coolant. The failed component can be available for inspection upon request. This failure poses a serious safety risk. The heat exchanger is part of the vehicle’s cooling system, and when it leaks, the engine can rapidly lose coolant while driving. This can lead to sudden overheating, reduced power, or potential engine shutdown in traffic. A driver may not receive immediate warning, and if the vehicle overheats unexpectedly at highway speeds, it can put both the occupants and surrounding drivers at risk of a collision. Coolant leaking into the exhaust system can also create steam and white smoke that may impair visibility for the driver or other vehicles. The problem has been confirmed by a Kia dealership, which inspected the vehicle and provided a repair estimate of over $3,500 for heat exchanger replacement. The vehicle has not been inspected by the police or insurance representatives. In my case, there were no warning lamps or messages prior to the diagnosis. The vehicle did not illuminate a check-engine light related to the failure or coolant warning, meaning the failure could easily occur without the driver’s knowledge until the engine overheats or loses power while on the road. This lack of warning significantly increases the safety risk. Given the number of owners reporting identical heat-exchanger failures, the high repair cost, and the potential for sudden overheating or power loss, this appears to be a widespread safety-related defect that warrants investigation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701647November 26, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Spontaneous combustion of the Sunroof. The Kia Niro is garage held in Colorado. While the temperature was in the teens the car has been driven and kept in much lower temps. No, Snow was on top of the car. When parking the car in the garage a loud noise was heard and the entire sunroof shattered
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700222November 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699174November 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car was purchased certified pre-owned from a Kia Dealership with 46,227 miles in October 2024. Within a month (Nov 2024), the electrical system would die overnight and we would require a jump start. This seemed to align with colder temperatures. After the first or second jump start, a headlight blew out. We replaced it. Then a tail light blew out and we replaced that one too. It seemed that there must be a connection between the electrical failure and the headlights / tail lights burning out. We took it in for a software update to see if that solved it, we also had them check the hybrid battery and the 12V battery. No other issues were detected. Eventually the problem just stopped happening. Now in Nov 2025, a year later, the problem has returned. The car's electrical system dies overnight and we have to jump start the car. And another tail light / turn signal has burned out. This time, we called a dealership to ask about any recalls or pending software updates and they said there was nothing showing in their system. We are now driving without a turn signal, which is a significant safety hazard. We will have to go back and replace the tail light / turn signal bulb. But what about the situation recurring? How do we get the car to stop 'dying' overnight in cold weather?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698695November 11, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Continuing and worsening motor rumbling noise and ticking/clicking at slow speeds. Spent a couple of months and without car for weeks just to have kia confirm and have gearbox changed. This has existed in some form for a couple years now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697775November 5, 2025
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697544November 5, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On November 3, 2025 I had an accident/event in my KIA Niro. At 2:20 I had been sitting in my car with the engine running and the gear was in (P) park. I was on an incline. When I saw the child I was babysitting ‘s bus arrived, hopped out of the car (it was still running) and walked behind the car, and stood waiting for him. I told him to hold on and we would go inside after I grabbed my phone and turned the car off. I opened my drivers side door to grab my phone, when the car started moving very rapidly backwards. I made every effort get control of the car but I was unable to, as I was hanging half in half out of the car. I collided with a Toyota truck, and damaged the passenger side rear bumper and lights and the side panel on the passenger side. It all happened immediately after I opened the driver side door. By the grace of God my charge and myself were not hurt, as we were standing directly behind the car moments before I went to turn off my engine and get my phone.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697442November 4, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AS AT 11/07/2023 KIA AMERICA KNEW OF HCV/HYDRAULIC CLUTCH ACTUATOR -HEV/HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE CAUSED TRANMSISSION PROBLEM IN KIA NIRO HYBRID 2020 AND KIA AMERICA REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. RECALL COMPLETED 5/27/2025 AFTER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EXPIRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695034October 22, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V426000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R) or the image was frozen. The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was not provided.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695144October 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
The push buttons that lock/unlock the car in the outer front door handles fell out within two weeks of each other (passenger door and driver door). There was no sign of them being loose before falling out. There was no event that would cause them to fall out. Without the buttons, the lock circuitry is exposed. Kia dealership has seen the broken handles but unable to reinsert the buttons.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692615October 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'm writing to express my disappointment and frustration with my recent car purchase. The salesperson's failure to clearly explain the contract has left me with unexpected expenses and a higher payment than anticipated. Furthermore, the car's persistent malfunctions have caused me significant stress and anxiety. The manager told me he was not inclined to help me because he did not like my survey answers so he wouldn't help me like any other customer and I made sure he clarified this . The first day I had it at 40 miles I tried to take it back because I could not get the car to get out of traffic it would not go in any gear it just wouldn't Now, thr R flashes red, the backup camera stays on while driving forward for a while, zero rpms when your going 75, then so fast you can't see #s, window fluid comes right back in your face, something new all the time. Went hunting and had to back down a small hill and get a running start to make it. It's a brand new car. Should not be having problems. Despite my efforts to address these issues, the dealer's lack of cooperation, and Kia Customer Care, have only added to my distress. I just get passed from one person to the next. I ask to speak to a certain person and they won't let me or look into my notes. They told me they were kia property and i could not. This car is going to get me killed or badly hurt. I hope that you will take my complaints seriously and take immediate action to rectify this situation. Car will not go into gear after backing up go to put it in drive. Nothing. Stuck in traffic for 10 minutes. I took the car back to them within 36 hours the car had 40 miles on it I told them it was a brand new car and this should not be happening already and I asked if I could just get my truck back which I knew was dependable. They refused I took it back two more times they never asked to get it looked at they had a kid the first time get in my car with me and drive from one side of the building to the next so
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692614October 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'm writing to express my disappointment and frustration with my recent car purchase. The salesperson's failure to clearly explain the contract has left me with unexpected expenses and a higher payment than anticipated. Furthermore, the car's persistent malfunctions have caused me significant stress and anxiety. The manager told me he was not inclined to help me because he did not like my survey answers so he wouldn't help me like any other customer and I made sure he clarified this . The first day I had it at 40 miles I tried to take it back because I could not get the car to get out of traffic it would not go in any gear it just wouldn't Now, thr R flashes red, the backup camera stays on while driving forward for a while, zero rpms when your going 75, then so fast you can't see #s, window fluid comes right back in your face, something new all the time. Went hunting and had to back down a small hill and get a running start to make it. It's a brand new car. Should not be having problems. Despite my efforts to address these issues, the dealer's lack of cooperation, and Kia Customer Care, have only added to my distress. I just get passed from one person to the next. I ask to speak to a certain person and they won't let me or look into my notes. They told me they were kia property and i could not. This car is going to get me killed or badly hurt. I hope that you will take my complaints seriously and take immediate action to rectify this situation. Car will not go into gear after backing up go to put it in drive. Nothing. Stuck in traffic for 10 minutes. I took the car back to them within 36 hours the car had 40 miles on it I told them it was a brand new car and this should not be happening already and I asked if I could just get my truck back which I knew was dependable. They refused I took it back two more times they never asked to get it looked at they had a kid the first time get in my car with me and drive from one side of the building to the next so
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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