Kia Niro Complaints (2020)

63 consumer complaints on file.

#11767751September 29, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This is a supplemental complaint to NHTSA Complaint #11744598 and #11749340. Multiple 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid and Plug‑In Hybrid vehicles are exhibiting identical Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) failures. I have personally encountered other Niro owners reporting the same intermittent EPB/ABS/ESC warnings. A Kia service coordinator confirmed another 2020 Niro currently in their shop with the same issue. In that case, Kia declined warranty coverage because the owner is the second owner, despite the failure involving safety‑critical brake system components. These repeated occurrences indicate a broader pattern of EPB system malfunction across 2020 Niro Hybrid and PHEV models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761948September 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle following a charging session, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle while the coolant system warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery voltage decreased from 12 volts to 2 volts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and TSB: ELE270 was associated with the issue. The contact was informed that the inverter coolant pipes had failed and needed to be replaced, and that the BSC-1 coolant needed to be replaced with BSC-2 coolant. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the coolant system warning light was illuminated after the vehicle was returned. The contact was concerned that the vehicle posed a fire risk because the vehicle was being charged in the garage at the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11760958August 31, 2026
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving 79 MPH, the thermostat displayed that the engine was running hot and there was white smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, with the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact became aware that a hose underneath the radiator was disconnected, and coolant was leaking from the hose, and the dipstick had dislodged into the engine. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop or while decelerating, the vehicle jolted forward. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758875August 23, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am submitting a complaint regarding a safety issue with the rearview camera on my 2020 Kia Niro EV. VIN # [XXX] The rearview camera display has stopped functioning properly. Based on technical research and driver community reports, this issue appears to stem from an electrical surge that causes the camera circuit to malfunction. Upon checking owner forums, I became aware of an active manufacturer campaign/recall (Kia Recall SC342) related to this fault. However, I have not received any official recall notification or letter from Kia regarding my vehicle. Because a non-functioning rearview camera significantly reduces rear visibility and poses a clear safety hazard, I request that the NHTSA review this defect and ensure affected owners are properly notified and provided with a repair solution. Thank you for your assistance in investigating this safety concern. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11755319August 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11749340July 9, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
This submission is supplemental information for my prior NHTSA complaint (Complaint #XXX). After filing the original report, I learned additional details from the Kia dealership that serviced my vehicle. The service department stated that they have seen the same electronic parking brake controller and actuator failure on multiple Kia Niro vehicles from model years 2018–2021. They reported that these failures were not covered under warranty for those years, even when the symptoms began during the warranty period. The dealer also explained that Kia made design improvements to the electronic parking brake system in later model years and expanded warranty coverage for the updated EPB assembly and control components. This suggests that Kia was aware of recurring issues with the earlier design, despite no formal recall or service campaign being issued for the affected 2018–2021 vehicles. I am submitting this supplemental information because it indicates a potential pattern of safety‑related failures involving the electronic parking brake system across multiple vehicles and model years. These failures affect the vehicle’s ability to hold position when parked and may interact with braking and stability control systems.”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746979June 28, 2026
POWER TRAIN
What's malfunctioning: coolant monitoring system shows low coolant warning when coolant level is observably fine. Problem has been ongoing for over a year. Available for inspection: yes. Safety problem: coolant monitoring is inaccurate, causing alarm when coolant levels are fine and possibly causing no alarm when coolant levels are too low. Problem reproduced: yes, by both dealer and independent service center. Vehicle inspected by manufacturer: yes. They attempted service but their repair only lasted a few months. Symptoms prior to failure: no. The problem is that the warning lights are turning on when they should not be. This matches the symptoms of Kia Technical Service Bulletin SA512, but the manufacturer's fix did not work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745741June 22, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently failed to display an image when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The contact stated that reverse engaged normally, and the audible alert was sounded; however, the display screen periodically remained blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred several times. The contact stated that the rearview camera operated properly for a while before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer prior to the expiration of the warranty. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken for additional diagnostic tests, and the dealer would consult with technical assistance from the manufacturer to determine how to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744598June 16, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The electronic parking brake controller failed after intermittent warnings that began while the vehicle was still under warranty. The parking brake actuator also failed and had to be replaced. The electronic parking brake system is part of the vehicle’s safety system, and the failure caused the parking brake to malfunction unpredictably. The issue did not store persistent diagnostic codes, making it difficult to diagnose earlier. This is a safety concern because it affects the vehicle’s ability to hold position when parked and can interfere with braking and stability control. Because I am not the original owner, Kia refused to perform this as a warranty repair even though the intermittent failures began while the vehicle was under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741696June 2, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC compressor failed due to an isolation resistance failure at the high voltage inverter. Freon leaked from the AC system into the battery chiller coolant loop, causing crystallization and blockages in the inverter coolant circuit. This is a battery thermal management system failure. The failure was confirmed and diagnosed by an authorized Kia dealer. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard including an inverter coolant warning. The vehicle was driven in ambient temperatures exceeding 108 degrees Fahrenheit in Arizona with no cabin cooling and a compromised battery thermal management system, creating a safety risk to the driver. The dealer quoted repair including AC compressor replacement, battery chiller replacement, and inverter coolant flush. Kia Consumer Affairs denied warranty coverage under the federal emissions warranty despite the vehicle being within the 8 year/80,000 mile coverage window at approximately 58,309 miles. No written explanation for the denial was provided. This failure appears to be a known pattern on this platform based on owner reports. The battery chiller and inverter coolant system are integral to battery thermal management and should be covered under the federal emissions warranty. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate in extreme Arizona heat without functioning thermal management.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734752April 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733521April 24, 2026
ENGINE
I had my oil changed in Dec. 2025. I drove 1000+ miles w/no issue. Engine suddenly seized w/no engine light warning. Oil dumped all at once. Kia refuses to cover under warranty. THIS HAPPENED TO MY CAR: NTSA announced it had launched an investigation into Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motor Company for problems with their oil pans and oil drain plugs... consumers have filed complaints their engine’s oil drain plug falls out, causing all the oil to drain out of their engine while driving. In multiple tests the oil drain plug was tightened according to factory torque specifications and the tightening was well documented. Yet, testing shows in multiple cases that while driving, the oil drain plug falls within a few thousand miles after the service. In those cases, the crankcase drained completely. The Hyundai and Kia drain plug falls out due to inferior oil pan material and the drain plug gasket. The testing and investigations appear to show that the oil drain plans are made with THIN METAL AND THE DRAIN PLUG MOUNTING IS POORLY REINFORCED. In addition, the oil pan is coated with a thick paint coating the bonds the gasket to the pan, so the gasket does not come off when the drain plug is removed. That gasket issue alone is not why the oil drain plug falls out, but it is a factor in the chain of events. The oil pan is the biggest problem Apparently, the thin metal, along with engine vibrations and expansion/contraction tend to loosen the drain plug without any other intervention. NHTSA is investigating this as a factory defect ... The problem is two-fold. First, even if the repair shop properly torques the drain plug, the oil drain plug falls out on its own. The customer then blames the shop for shoddy workmanship. Second, Hyundai and Kia dealers are telling customers that servicing their vehicle at an aftermarket shop automatically voids their factory warranty. This is totally false & actually illegal under the terms of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727309March 26, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726377March 23, 2026
ENGINE
Engine Seized at 79,000 miles on Kia Niro Hybrid on 3/8/2025. Oil was changed at 78,225 miles on 12/16/2025. No issues with vehicle until approx. 1,000 miles later and just a month and a half later when car suddenly lost power on a highway forcing me to try to safely and quickly navigate off the road. This could have caused risk to my life and other lives. The car could not be restarted. Kia said the drain plug was not screwed on and is refusing to honor warranty despite no issues with the oil change. Notably, in October 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it had launched an investigation into Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motor Company for problems with their oil pans and oil drain plugs. Specifically, consumers and aftermarket service facilities have filed complaints their engine’s oil drain plug falls out, causing all the oil to drain out of their engine while driving. In multiple tests the oil drain plug was tightened according to factory torque specifications and the tightening was well documented. Yet, testing shows in multiple cases that while driving, the oil drain plug falls within a few thousand miles after the service. In those cases, the crankcase drained completely. [XXX] This issue should be investigated for potential recall to keep drivers, passengers safe on our highways. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11720581February 26, 2026
VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11719210February 19, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
When I’m braking at slow speeds, 10mph or less the front left tire braking system locks and makes the car skid. This happens randomly. There’s also a clicking sound made from the regen braking to switching to regular braking. The mechanic replaced the hca assembly and wiring kit from a recall but the car is still having the same issues. This also brings up the codes EBS and AUTO HOLD on my dash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716865February 9, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall on two separate occasions; however, the part failed a third time after the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer declined to offer additional repairs under the recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V899000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and associated the failures with the recall. The vehicle was driven to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
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
#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

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