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U.S. public vehicle records

2018 Kia NIRO PHEV problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

13 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

11,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting215.4%
Braking behavior215.4%
Electrical and battery issues215.4%
Fuel system concerns17.7%

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.

Power Train
6
Engine
4
Electrical System
2
Structure:Body
2
Unknown Or Other
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Air Bags
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Power Train6
Engine4
Electrical System2
Structure:Body2
Unknown Or Other2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Air Bags1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Power Train: 6; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
5
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0005
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 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.

2018
1
2019
3
2020
2
2023
3
2024
3
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20181
20193
20202
20233
20243
20261

2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11144919 · 2018-11-02 (November 2, 2018)

THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY TO THE GEAR SHIFTED TO. WHEN STATIONARY AND WITH THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IF YOU PROCEED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE STARTS TO MOVE BACKWARDS, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO ROLL IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION EVEN AFTER SWITCHING THE GEAR SELECTOR TO DRIVE AND PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN SWITCHING FROM EITHER DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE.

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11299943 · 2020-01-16 (January 16, 2020)

2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID, 16,235MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 30 DAYS IN SHOP. TRANSMISSION WILL DO A VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPING. MAKES VEHICLE DIP HARD..NOTICEABLE ON DASH CAM VIDEO. ON HARDER ACCELERATION, POWER TRAIN HAS TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND OFTEN THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. FEELS SORT OF LIKE IT IS SLIPPING, BUT IS A DELAY IN POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FULLY AND STARTING THE GAS MOTOR.THIS HAS CAUSED A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRA…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299943 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11564643 · 2024-01-10 (January 10, 2024)

I was driving myself and two passengers on a highway at night in the rain. I was using the adaptive cruise control and was maintaining speed when i went through a puddle and I think the car hydroplaned a little. A warning sign flashed up on the dash that said something towards "deactivating cruise control" - i am not sure of the exact warning. I've had a warning similar, im not sure if its the exact same, when the adaptive cruise control turns off in traffic and it slows down and turns itself off. But when it turned off this time after the pudd…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11564643 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11563151 · 2024-01-02 (January 2, 2024)

In July 2023, Kia identified a defect that can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving; namely that the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator may become contaminated with fluid and lead to an electrical short circuit. To date, there is still no remedy available. I am filing this complaint for your assistance in ensuring the company provides a remedy within a reasonable time.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563151 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11572995 · 2024-02-20 (February 20, 2024)

I received KIA letter about the recall SC276 for HCA issue around 1/15/24. I brought my 2018 Kia Niro PHEV to Kia Dealer in San Jose. They inspected and concluded that the vehicle is safe with the recall SC276. However, they did not replace the fuse as stated in Kia's recall instructions. Ten days later, I was on the road, slowing down at the intersection and the car suddenly lost power, the Dashboard show the message for 'EV System failed'. My battery was fully charged at work, which is 2 miles away. My gas tank was full and I couldn't start m…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11572995 at NHTSA ↗