2020 Kia NIRO EV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
31,441 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 19 complaints (42.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 21.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Lane Departure: Assist | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3; Lane Departure: Assist: 2; Back Over Prevention: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 4; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11383350 · 2020-12-14 (December 14, 2020)
VOLUME ON VESS AND BACKUP ALERT SYSTEM GREATLY EXCEEDS RECOMMENDED LEVELS, TO THE POINT WHERE BACKING UP OUT OF GARAGE CAN ANNOY NEIGHBORS IN THEIR HOMES. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL STRIP MALL, THE VOLUME OF THE BACKUP ALERT FROM THE VESS WAS SO SHOCKING THAT IT STARTLED A PEDESTRIAN, CAUSING THEM TO TRIP AND ALMOST FALL ON THEIR FACE. KIA DOES NOT PROVIDE A WAY TO REDUCE VESS VOLUME TO CLOSER TO NHTSA RECOMMENDED LEVELS. ALSO, VESS STAYS ENGAGED UP TO AROUND 23 MPH, MAKING IT AN ANNOYANCE TO PEOPLE WE SHARE THE ROAD WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 89 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383350 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439629 · 2021-11-07 (November 7, 2021)
The Adaptive Cruise Control System is not working. It is available for inspection upon request. The cruise control system does not reset, but rather retains the last set point. When I start the car and touch the accelerator, the car assumes the last set speed setting. In my case that is 60mph. It does not matter what I do, the car accelerates to 60mph. I can "cancel" the setting", tap on the brakes, or try to reset the system to a different speed. I am trying to get an appointment with the dealer for his evaluation. There have been no accident…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441346 · 2021-11-22 (November 22, 2021)
My husband and I have both experienced an abrupt jolt when the Lane Keeping Assist is activated. It's not the "normal" tug that alerts you when drifting. And sometimes this startling jolt is activated when not changing lanes. Also, for a split second when the Lane Keeping Assist has this unexpected abrupt jolting that tries to force you into the lane, the steering wheel locks for a split second which is more frightening because for a split second you lose control of the car. In my other Kia Niro EV, I reported this to Kia Van Nuys dealership an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11441412 · 2021-11-23 (November 23, 2021)
Driving in my 2020 Kia Niro EV EX in the right lane of a 2-lane northbound highway at 3PM on a weekday, clear-weather, I changed lanes into the left lane when all of the sudden the Lane Keeping Assist malfunctioned and startlingly and abruptly jerked me across the double yellow lines into oncoming southbound traffic. I tried to steer the car back into the northbound lanes but the steering wheel was frozen. The malfunctioning Lane Keeping Assist seemed to have completely taken control of the steering wheel. An oncoming southbound car hit me coll…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501010 · 2023-01-10 (January 10, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that after charging the battery to 80 percent, the vehicle immediately turned off while reversing out of the charging station. After restarting the vehicle and driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who cleared the failure codes and tested drove the vehicle, but no failure was identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,972.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,972 miles reported. Look up ODI 11501010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11557339 · 2023-11-28 (November 28, 2023)
-Abnormal Reduction Gear and/or EV motor Rumble noise as identified in KIA TSB-234. The car is available for inspection. -Car not working properly/increasing the risk of stall or breakdown while driving and therefore increasing the risk of collision/accident. There is a loss of power and increased revolution noise from the reduction gear/EV motor increasing the incidence of vehicle failure during operation and accident, therefore increasing the incidence of property and bodily injury/damage due to known issues by KIA currently being service…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11557339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11560828 · 2023-12-19 (December 19, 2023)
Drive unit defect in EV motor/reduction gear. These vehicles have a manufacturing defect that causes a percentage of them to experience a loud noise while under acceleration, loudest at around 30mph. It is described as a "card in spokes", "motor rumble", "wheel of fortune", "clicking/tapping" sound. There is a TSB that Kia has released for this issue, ELE234, but Kia continually denies and obstructs owners from getting their vehicles repaired under warranty. It typically begins quietly at around 20-30k miles, gradually getting louder. Currently…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11569415 · 2024-02-02 (February 2, 2024)
Faulty EPCU and circuit board damaged from coolant leak, as described by Kia technician. Other components have been affected. Estimated $3,000 in parts left to replace. Total repair cost is looking to exceed $13,000. On last failure of car, I was driving as the Electical Vehicle Systems error occurred and the car went into neutral and when it slowed down, went into Park. Car would start and drive 10-15 feet before becoming inoperable again. Dealership says they fixed by adding coolant and they couldn't replicate the error. It took me 200 ft of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11569415 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V899000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Thermal Management:Fluid/Coolant
Reported: 2022-12-06 (December 6, 2022)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Niro EV vehicles. The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may have been improperly sealed and may leak coolant internally.
Consequence: Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC258.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V426000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2025-06-20 (June 20, 2025)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.
NHTSA campaign record ↗