Kia NIRO PHEV transmission problems
13 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
13 of 68 complaints match this topic (19.1%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
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 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 11536669 · 2023-08-05 (August 5, 2023)
From a stop, I step on the gas quickly and it feels like the transmission has just broken. It causes my pulse to increase and scares and distracts me so much I've almost had an accident a several times. I have scheduled an appointment with Kia to assess the problem. I will provide an update once they have concluded their assessment.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11536669 at NHTSA ↗