2017 Kia NIRO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
79 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
50,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 79 complaints (35.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 16 | 20.3% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 10.1% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 8.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 28 |
| Electrical System | 18 |
| Power Train | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Engine: 28; Electrical System: 18; Power Train: 18; Unknown Or Other: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Steering: 7; Structure:Body: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 58 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2022: 11; 2023: 13; 2024: 16; 2025: 7; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 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 10957721 · 2017-02-28 (February 28, 2017)
LEASED THE 2017 KIA NIRO EX HYBRID CAR, LATE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 AND DROVE HOME 10+ MILES. ODOMETER HAD 15 MILES AT START. LEFT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE FOR TWO DAYS AND ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT EARLY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2017 AT 4AM. BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE AND WAS STEERING ONTO THE STREET WHEN THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT AND NOISY (GROWLING) - VIBRATING WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL ITSELF. PULLED BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RETRIED SEVERAL TIMES. …
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102835 · 2018-06-20 (June 20, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 KIA NIRO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUTSIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TURN SIGNAL LIGHT AND THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE BATTERY CAUSED THE FIRE AND DECLARED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172990 · 2019-01-29 (January 29, 2019)
I HAVE TRIED ON THREE OCCASIONS TO HAVE THIS RECALL FIXED. EACH TIME, I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER, WAITED ALL DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WORK WASN'T DONE BECAUSE THAT THEY HAS TO ORDER THE PART. THE FIRST TIME, COVINA KIA, SENT ME AN E-MAIL TELLING ME THAT I HAD CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT, WHEN THEY CANCELLED IT BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE PART. THE SECOND TIME, THE PART WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN STOCK BUT WAS AGAIN NOT AVAILABLE. THE LAST TIME WAS WITH CITRUS KIA. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER CARE, REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND WAS PROMISED THAT IT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11172990 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419182 · 2021-06-01 (June 1, 2021)
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11419182 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11422740 · 2021-06-29 (June 29, 2021)
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently made an abnormal clicking sound upon turning the steering wheel in either direction without warning. Over time, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Nu…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11422740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11114382 · 2018-07-29 (July 29, 2018)
THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY 2017. THE AIRBAG SENSORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND REPAIRED. THE CAR MALFUNCTIONS OVER A BRIDGE CONSTANTLY ON MY WAY TO WORK. KIA DOESN'T KNOW WHY IT DOES THIS. THE LATEST ISSUE IS THE TRANSMISSION FAILING IN TRAFFIC AND THERE BEING NO ACCELERATION. I'VE BEEN IN A LOT OF UNSAFE SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES. KIA CORPORATION HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND A TECH HAS BEEN FLOWN OUT TO INVESTIGATE MY CAR. I'M CURRENTLY SUING THEM TO REPURCHASE IT AS A LEMON. THIS COULD BE THE BEGINN…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343331 · 2020-08-04 (August 4, 2020)
WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE OFF, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND ROLLED BACK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS STILL SHOWING IT IN PARK AND OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11741038 · 2026-05-30 (May 30, 2026)
The vehicle experienced a dangerous driving failure due to a hydraulic clutch actuator system issue and was towed to Kia Delray. The authorized dealership has officially diagnosed the issue as a "brake/clutch fluid leak" (attached diagnostic estimate), which is exactly the hazardous condition outlined under Safety Recall 23V534 (SC276). However, the dealer refuses to perform the free recall repair remedy, claiming that the recall campaign was technically marked as completed after a previous interim fuse replacement. They are demanding $5,642.21…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11741038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11754127 · 2026-08-01 (August 1, 2026)
2017 Kia Niro Hybrid subject to Safety Recall SC276 (NHTSA Campaign 23V534) for the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA). Fluid contamination of the HCA PCB can cause an electrical short and engine compartment fire risk. Official remedy is HCA inspection/replacement as necessary plus a new fuse. Three dealer visits: Shortly after purchase for SC276 recall and routine service. Dealer performed HCA Inspect/Replace, reported no problem codes, and replaced the fuse. After sudden complete loss of propulsion on the freeway at 60-65 mph with a passenger. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11754127 at NHTSA ↗