Kia NIRO PHEV problems and owner complaints

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

While approaching an intersection light, that was turning red, I suddenly heard the car beeping rapidly and all the red warning lights on the dashboard behind the wheel went off and the vehicle stalled. Luckily the intersection light was red, so everyone was coming to a halt. I do remember the dash board becoming blank, like there was no power. I had to turn the car's power ON button several times before I could shift into Drive. In the meantime, the traffic light turned green and I was still trying to switch the car to Drive mode. Finally it …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527999 at NHTSA ↗