2019 Kia NIRO EV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
8,050 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 17 complaints (47.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 35.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 29.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 11.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Vehicle Controls:Braking | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Power Train: 8; Electrical System: 5; Service Brakes: 3; Engine: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery: 1; Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Vehicle Controls:Braking: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 13 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 8; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11300024 · 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
MY BRAKES FAILED AS I TRIED TO STOP FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. THERE WAS A CAR ALREADY STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, WHICH I BUMPED INTO. AS I WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT 'GAVE', AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD; I WAS UNABLE TO STOP. LUCKILY, I HAD ALREADY SLOWED CONSIDERABLY PRIOR TO THE BRAKES FAILING, SO NO ONE WAS HURT AND THERE WAS MINIMAL DAMAGE. THE OTHER DRIVER LEFT THE SCENE WITHOUT EXCHANGING INFORMATION, AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE KIA SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE: NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415003 · 2021-05-03 (May 3, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588671 · 2024-05-14 (May 14, 2024)
- While driving, we received a notice on the dashboard to "stop driving and check regenerative brakes". Simultaneously we lose 95% of our braking power and all of the acceleration. Slamming on the brakes all the way to the floor provided some minor braking ability, but it was significantly diminished and frankly terrifying. We turn the car off, turn it back on again, and everything seems totally normal. - We cannot recreate the error, but we call the dealership. They say they can get us in in a week to service us. As this is our only car we ke…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588671 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518843 · 2023-04-25 (April 25, 2023)
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Niro. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The check regenerative braking system message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transition motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11518843 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558343 · 2023-12-04 (December 4, 2023)
This is a published TSB but it doesn't appear when searching for this vehicle. I have to search in google for specific phrases to find this on your website. "DRIVE UNIT INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT FOR EV MOTOR RUMBLE NOISE " Kia Niro EV: [XXX] Hyundai Kona EV: [XXX] Known issue with many customers reporting Kia and Hyundai Motor failures. But since it is not an official recall campaign, it doesn't pop up when researching Kia Niro, Soul, Hyundai Kona, Ioniq EVs. Many consumers report that service centers will gaslight, dismiss, downplay, or …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558343 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326198 · 2020-05-27 (May 27, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326198 at NHTSA ↗