2019 Kia NIRO PHEV: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 26 complaints (34.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 19.2% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 11.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.8% |
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 | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 6; Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2
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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 6; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 5
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 11254464 · 2019-09-10 (September 10, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK KIA (241 MELTON RD, BURNS HARBOR, IN 46304, [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 13342866. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11254464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11300065 · 2020-01-17 (January 17, 2020)
THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES GO FORWARD EVENTHOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE R POSITION FOR REVERSE. AND THE OPPOSITE HAPPENS. I MAY GO IN REVERSE EVENTHOUGH THE GEAR IS IN THE D POSITION FOR DRIVE. -- I BELIEVE THE ABOVE HAPPENS IF I SHIFT GEARS TOO QUICKLY BEFORE THE CAR FINISHES ITS SYSTEM CHECK. -- THAT IS MY OWN TROUBLESHOOTING EFFORT/OPINION. THE WRONG MOTION HAPPENS WHEN STARTING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION. FOR EXAMPLE STARTING THE CAR AND WANTING TO DRIVE FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR WANTING TO GO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A GARAGE.…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11300065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351885 · 2020-08-28 (August 28, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION WHILE TAKING THE EXIT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT STATED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (POMONA KIA SUPERSTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11355331 · 2020-09-16 (September 16, 2020)
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS IF I HAD PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN PARK GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT CAN HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 6400 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 6600 MILES. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS FLAT.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11355331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11355333 · 2020-09-16 (September 16, 2020)
THE REVERSE LIGHTING IS INADEQUATE FOR REVERSE CAMERA IN DARK, WHICH PRODUCES GRAINY BACKUP CAMERA IMAGE. THE CAMERA WORKS FINE IN DAYLIGHT. THIS MAY REQUIRE PROPER LIGHTING OR CAMERA THAT WORKS WELL IN DIM LIGHT CONDITION. ALSO, THE CAMERA IS EXPOSED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RAIN AND SNOW.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11355333 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 11404338 · 2021-03-22 (March 22, 2021)
1. STEERING WHEEL COUPLER MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 2. TOXIC NAUSEATING AMMONIA TYPE FUME IS EMITTED FROM THE HEATER CORE WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. DEEKER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. BOTH PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER NIRO OWNER AT KIA NIRO FORUMS.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11404338 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413022 · 2021-04-20 (April 20, 2021)
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS- IN REVERSE AND MOVING FORWARD.
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413022 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 ↗