2019 Kia NIRO PHEV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 26 complaints (34.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 19.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (7). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 6; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 5
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 11398541 · 2021-03-01 (March 1, 2021)
ONGOING ISSUE: RANDOMLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP, UPON ACCELERATION THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AS IF I AM BEING REAR-ENDED. POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER WHEN THE GAS ENGINE IS IN USE MORE.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11398541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11499188 · 2022-12-28 (December 28, 2022)
Within the first 6 months of owning our 2019 Kia Plugin Hybrid, we started experiencing a clunk with a lurch when accelerating from a stopped position. The issue became progressively worse over time - increasing in frequency and severity. The car has been to the Kia Lupient dealership in Brooklyn Park, MN multiple times for this issue. At our most recent visit on November 7th, 2022, the service advisor acknowledged that the issue may be due to shipping the vehicle with the wrong transmission fluid. The transmission fluid was replaced with th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11499188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351885 · 2020-08-28 (August 28, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION WHILE TAKING THE EXIT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT STATED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (POMONA KIA SUPERSTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11404338 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
1. STEERING WHEEL COUPLER MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 2. TOXIC NAUSEATING AMMONIA TYPE FUME IS EMITTED FROM THE HEATER CORE WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. DEEKER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. BOTH PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER NIRO OWNER AT KIA NIRO FORUMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477529 · 2022-08-04 (August 4, 2022)
The vehicle has an intermittent jerk/clunk sound when accelerating or coming to a stop. Occasionally it can feel as if the clutch is coming engaging/disengaging roughly and cause passenger's heads to shake forward. In a few instances there has been a delay when pressing on the brakes to initiate stopping before the vehicle, this momentary loss of control is alarming. It feels as if the clutch and brakes did not react to the pedal immediately. I have taken the vehicle to the Kearny Mesa Kia dealership to diagnose the issue on 3 separate occasio…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11571634 · 2024-02-13 (February 13, 2024)
12 volt battery will suddenly and without warning loose capacity to power the vehicle operating controls and displays including remote key access, start sequence using push button start, and traction battery charging through charging port. While parked and connected to a charging station vehicle ‘died’ in place. This occurred within 10 minutes of last use of remote key to unlock doors, open doors, place shopping bags, close doors, and use driver door push button feature to relock doors. Outside air temperature was mid 20’s Fahrenheit. Traction …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11571634 at NHTSA ↗