2025 Kia NIRO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 16 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 18.8% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 7; Electrical System: 3; Suspension: 3; Engine: 2; Air Bags: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2025: 6; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11731798 · 2026-04-17 (April 17, 2026)
On now 4 occasions--intermittently my car will go into drive when shifted into the reverse shift I don't know what component is impacting this. My safety and others safety is at risk by my car literally going forward when it's supposed to be in reverse. I've taken my car to the dealership two times and they have not been able to recreate it or fix anything. I've reached out to KIA corporate for a resolution but have not gotten follow up: Case#XXX (case where I was supposed to get a response from a case manger) and XXX (original case). To my kn…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11731798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11744906 · 2026-06-17 (June 17, 2026)
Transmission was replaced but then completely shut down as I was making a right turn. Multiple indicators on dash went off and safety errors kept scrolling across dash. Vehicle then wouldn’t shift at all. TCM was replaced but vehicle has high RPMs at low speeds. Has been at the dealership now for over 90 days.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11744906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11690792 · 2025-10-01 (October 1, 2025)
I am reporting a serious safety concern regarding the 2025 Kia Niro Hybrid and its adaptive cruise control system. When the cruise control is activated and set to maintain a certain speed, the vehicle continues at that speed regardless of whether there are other vehicles in front of it. In multiple instances, the car approached slower-moving vehicles at 45 mph without reducing speed or giving any warnings. There was no automatic braking or even a prompt to alert the driver of the imminent danger. This is extremely dangerous and could easily re…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11690792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11725424 · 2026-03-18 (March 18, 2026)
I believe the issue is related to something connected to the AC system or a component underneath the hood. The exact part that malfunctioned has not been confirmed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because some kind of leak or fumes were being sent into the car through the AC vents, causing myself and others in the vehicle to feel sick. I have taken the car to 3 Kia Dealerships. All of which have been extremely dishonest (have tons of proof) and say they cannot verify pr…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11725424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11720308 · 2026-02-24 (February 24, 2026)
I visited Car Pros Kia Tacoma for a wheel alignment on my 2025 Kia Niro EV. After the service, I was told the alignment was completed correctly and I was given a printout showing all values in the green. However, the vehicle did not feel stable or safe to drive afterward. The steering felt off, and the car did not track straight. Because the vehicle felt unsafe, I took it to Firestone the next day for a second opinion. Firestone performed a full alignment check and their “before” measurements showed that the alignment was significantly out of …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11720308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11751226 · 2026-07-17 (July 17, 2026)
Re: Driver Safety Downgrade Stemming from Recent Software Update Complicating Tire Pressure Display Accessibility I am writing as the owner of a 2025 Kia Niro HEV to express my concerns regarding a recent software update that altered how tire pressure information is accessed on the instrument cluster. Prior to the update, tire pressures were available through the steering wheel page button, allowing drivers to view this safety-critical information with a single press and a quick glance. After the update, the tire pressure screen was removed f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11751226 at NHTSA ↗