NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
81 reports91,760 miles · Feb 5, 2024
Power TrainStructure
The contact owns a 2017 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 contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a r…
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The contact owns a 2017 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 contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 contact had experienced a strong electrical burning odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side wheel well had melted and collapsed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,760. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11570037
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2024
Engine
My 2017 Kia Niro (hybrid) discharges white smoke and overheats while being driven. I brought it to a reputable mechanic immediately. After an inspection, it was discovered that coolant is leaking into the engine because the heat exchange system is not functioning correctly. There are 6 similar complaints files about the same…
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My 2017 Kia Niro (hybrid) discharges white smoke and overheats while being driven. I brought it to a reputable mechanic immediately. After an inspection, it was discovered that coolant is leaking into the engine because the heat exchange system is not functioning correctly. There are 6 similar complaints files about the same model vehicle (NHTSA 11561701, 11550994, 11547940, 11442817, 11457565 & 11491873) and many that have not been filed on line but complaints are the same. A Kia dealership said that the part (#28601G5320) is on back order everywhere w/ no availability in sight. This is a $3000-$6000 repair and is ridiculous. No engine lights or indications of anything malfunctioning, this needs to be recalled ASAP!
NHTSA ODI #11567869
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
My car slowed, smelled hot, and then transmission overheat light came on approximately 130 miles from my home. I had it towed to nearest Kia service due to my warranty, Lehighton Kia dealer by AAA (Kia roadside wanted $293). Dealer claimed it was Clutch Actuator (said nothing about recall) and claim to be attempting to confirm…
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My car slowed, smelled hot, and then transmission overheat light came on approximately 130 miles from my home. I had it towed to nearest Kia service due to my warranty, Lehighton Kia dealer by AAA (Kia roadside wanted $293). Dealer claimed it was Clutch Actuator (said nothing about recall) and claim to be attempting to confirm warranty with Zurich for days with no success, I had no issue calling Zurich to confirm warranty would cover it. They said parts were unavailable in US, some in Korea, no guarantee where they would be distributed to and could not be ordered yet, so timeline of at least a month that I would be without a car. They could not offer me a loaner or rental. Last night I received Recall notice SC276 for the exact issue I am dealing with. In 4 calls to Lehighton Kia this recall was never mentioned. I bought my car in March with 31,000 with the best extended warranty I could buy to protect myself as a recent widow with a daughter in college. My car now has 52,000 and is not usable indefinitely, I cannot afford a rental and I work 35 miles away and feel that the Lehighton Kia has been less than helpful in dealing with this issue.
NHTSA ODI #11563216
120,787 miles · Dec 27, 2023
Power Train
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message displayed, and the HEV warning light illuminated. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that …
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The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the Check Hybrid System, Turn Off Engine message displayed, and the HEV warning light illuminated. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,787.
NHTSA ODI #11562090
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2023
Engine
EHRS fails, causing coolant leaks & cracked cylinders
NHTSA ODI #11561701
Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
I was driving and the car was stuttering. Then after I stopped for a bit it resumed normal operations. Then the warning light came on, then it went off again. This happened for a couple of weeks until finally, while on a road trip at the end of July 2023, the car seemed to just lose power in 4th gear and I would have to reall…
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I was driving and the car was stuttering. Then after I stopped for a bit it resumed normal operations. Then the warning light came on, then it went off again. This happened for a couple of weeks until finally, while on a road trip at the end of July 2023, the car seemed to just lose power in 4th gear and I would have to really rev the engine just to keep it moving, that happened while on a road trip. I called the dealership several times during the trip and they said I’d already had the computer recall reset so they didn’t think it made any sense. I took it to my neighborhood repair shop when I got back and they said two spark plugs are shot, they replaced them and it ran fine. But now it’s stuttering again, just a few months later. I called the dealership again and they said I could bring it it for a diagnostic (not free) and then I got a letter about a recall. Not sure if it’s related to my issue because the dealer said probably not and said they’d call me when they knew more and my car had the computer issue not this one. No one has called and the car is still stuttering. I took it to the mechanic again and he said spark plugs look fine, but again, it is losing power in 4th gear, just around 45 mph only when I’ve been driving for more than two hours. I would just like the dealership to take a look and fix it.
NHTSA ODI #11557137
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2023
Engine
Car stalled, overheated due to coolant leaking into car parts which is causing catyllac converter to not work correctly. The issue is not with the catillac converter but the faulty piece that causes coolant leaking. This is a known issue amongst Niro Users. KIA is illegally forcing customers to purchase the most expensive pa…
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Car stalled, overheated due to coolant leaking into car parts which is causing catyllac converter to not work correctly. The issue is not with the catillac converter but the faulty piece that causes coolant leaking. This is a known issue amongst Niro Users. KIA is illegally forcing customers to purchase the most expensive part instead of bypassing so that the heat exchange system doesn’t leak into converter. The same issue affects the EV model which KIA has recalled but they refuse to add the hybrid to the recall list. Please help. The repair is $3,000 and customers that have paid to fix only end up in the same position moths later with the same issue. I reported the issue to KIA and my claim was denied.
NHTSA ODI #11556603
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2023
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
Hybrid System Failure due to overheating Overheating due to coolant leak into resorvoir My car started having white smoke come from exhaust during driving Took to the repair shop, repaired the coolant reservoir next day, same issue took back to the service tech stated they couldn't find the leak, but the reservoir was empty. …
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Hybrid System Failure due to overheating Overheating due to coolant leak into resorvoir My car started having white smoke come from exhaust during driving Took to the repair shop, repaired the coolant reservoir next day, same issue took back to the service tech stated they couldn't find the leak, but the reservoir was empty. Took the car for a second opinion, the service people had my car all day, after picking up, was told by the repairman that it was the engine and KIA is aware of it. Stated he is unable to help and I should take the car to a KIA dealer For weeks the car was still blowing smoke Took the car to KIA of Stamford Had the car for a few hours, tech said coolant leak and I will need to replace the part which is 3000, advised there is a bypass method on the internet for NIRO owners with the same issue online, and I was told they will not do the bypass due to emission laws. Advised my car should be covered under Emissions warranty, and was told it does not cover the part. Advised the service man this should be covered under my 100,000 warranty with KIA, which is what I was sold, and was told this is not the case, and I wasn't covered. Advised KIA I have an extended warranty with WIZ autos where i purchased the car. Spoke to the warranty department and was told it wasn't covered under their warranty either. May 2023 While driving I saw white smoke, my car began to overheat and I tried to pull over, when I pulled over the car would not drive. HYBRID System Malfunction The car has been with Wiz autos and they are now telling me the repairs will cost $5,800 There are many people online suffering because of this defect. There are reports online that once fixed, the issue returns months later. Wiz autos is asking me to pay 6000 for a repair and 3 month warranty on the part. Issue: Coolant leak is causing issues that affect the safety of drivers, as well as destroys their vehicles and KIA Motors has been the worst to work with.
NHTSA ODI #11550994
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023
Engine
Car gives digital signal of overheating, white smoke pours out of exhaust but there is no code that allows dealership to diagnose and remedy. This has occurred twice in the last 6 weeks and the car has sat at the dealership for weeks. This problem and inability to repair without a $1,200 exhaust system replacement is well docu…
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Car gives digital signal of overheating, white smoke pours out of exhaust but there is no code that allows dealership to diagnose and remedy. This has occurred twice in the last 6 weeks and the car has sat at the dealership for weeks. This problem and inability to repair without a $1,200 exhaust system replacement is well documented on-line [XXX] ] and the dealership is unhelpful. It appears there's a design flaw that allows this to occur and should be remediated by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11547940
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteeringVehicle Speed Control
- my car started releasing white smoke - i took it to repair shop, stated it was fixed, white smoke continued -car started overheating -Took it to KIA dealership and was told i was responsible for fuel leaking into engine, was told my car was not covered under warranty, I also have an extended warranty at the dealership which th…
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- my car started releasing white smoke - i took it to repair shop, stated it was fixed, white smoke continued -car started overheating -Took it to KIA dealership and was told i was responsible for fuel leaking into engine, was told my car was not covered under warranty, I also have an extended warranty at the dealership which they wouldn't honor stating it was not covered -Recently while driving the car flashed Hybrid system Failure and shut off -I was unable to move the car -I had the car towed to the original dealer (wiz autos) and it has been there since May 2023, it is now 4 months and the car still does not work -Wiz autos informed me the car had a "lock on it" and will need to be released by KIA its been 4 months with no answers from KIA, I have been having an issue with the coolant leaking into the engine since 11/22 and although this is a common problem in these cars(manufacturers defect) KIA will not fix, or replace. I believe the coolant leaking into the engine, is causing the cars to malfunction**** Please take a look at these forums: [XXX] [XXX] Although my car is not listed in this lawsuit by KIA, i believe more cars are affected: A federal court has granted final approval of a class action lawsuit known as In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation , No. 8:17‑cv‑00838‑JLS‑JDE and Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al. , No. 18‑cv‑02223 (C.D. Cal.) allege that 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles suffer from a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire, that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if experienced, and that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle’s warranty. Neither KMC nor KUS have been found liable for any of the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11543219
Official recalls
4Jul 31, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Nov 11, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Sep 25, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Apr 20, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗