2018 Kia NIRO PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Power Train: 6; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 5 |
| 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: 5; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11173342 · 2019-01-31 (January 31, 2019)
I WENT TO A KIA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS THEN INFORMED THERE WERE 3 OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION BY MAIL, EMAIL OR PHONE. THE REPAIRS WERE TO TAKE 5 HOURS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO THE REPAIRS AND LEFT THE CAR THERE THE ENTIRE DAY AND HAD TO BE SHUTTLED 20 MILES BACK AND FORTH TWICE THAT DAY. THEY WERE NOT COMPETENT ENOUGH TO ORDER THE PARTS BUT WERE CONTENT TO HAVE ME WASTE MY ENTIRE DAY AND TELL ME TO COME BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK. THE INCOMPETENT DEALER IS KIA ON BATTLEGROUND IN GREENSBORO.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11190496 · 2019-03-21 (March 21, 2019)
VEHICLE RANDOMLY FLASHES MESSAGE TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEAR AFTER VEHICLE RESET BUT THE MESSAGE HAS REPEATEDLY COME UP VERY OFTEN NOW. MESSAGE POPS UP DURING MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS: AFTER CHARGING, BEFORE CHARGING, WHILE CHARGING, AND DURING OPERATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11190496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11206542 · 2019-05-09 (May 9, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THEIR RED LIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FAILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297818 · 2020-01-07 (January 7, 2020)
DOOR HANDLE CANE OFF AND VEHICLE SOMETIMES CAN NOT BE LICKED
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297818 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 11548070 · 2023-10-03 (October 3, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11548070 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11552926 · 2023-10-31 (October 31, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11552926 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V534000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Internal:Clutches/Bands:Actuators/Solenoids
Reported: 2023-07-31 (July 31, 2023)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
NHTSA campaign record ↗