2025 Kia NIRO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11648654 · 2025-03-17 (March 17, 2025)
Took car in and dealership kept it. Recall indicated that parts were available, however, dealership says that because there's additional fraying of wires, they don't have the parts. When I contacted Kia corporate, they confirmed that they have release of parts indicated as "TBD." According to NHTSA records, they should have the parts but they say they don't and can't indicate when parts will be available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11648654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11660224 · 2025-05-11 (May 11, 2025)
The engine light went on. I took the car into the dealer, where they explained that the navigation system needs to be updated. But they couldn't update the navigation system, because the Kia website for that is down. Since this isn't actually an engine issue, I retrieved my car. The dealer suggested that I try to update the nav system myself, as the website for consumers is different from that for dealers. No dice: that website is down. 1. The fact that my car needs a map update causes the engine light to go on? That's misleading--bad de…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11660224 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 11692614 · 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)
I'm writing to express my disappointment and frustration with my recent car purchase. The salesperson's failure to clearly explain the contract has left me with unexpected expenses and a higher payment than anticipated. Furthermore, the car's persistent malfunctions have caused me significant stress and anxiety. The manager told me he was not inclined to help me because he did not like my survey answers so he wouldn't help me like any other customer and I made sure he clarified this . The first day I had it at 40 miles I tried to take it back b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11692614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11692615 · 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)
I'm writing to express my disappointment and frustration with my recent car purchase. The salesperson's failure to clearly explain the contract has left me with unexpected expenses and a higher payment than anticipated. Furthermore, the car's persistent malfunctions have caused me significant stress and anxiety. The manager told me he was not inclined to help me because he did not like my survey answers so he wouldn't help me like any other customer and I made sure he clarified this . The first day I had it at 40 miles I tried to take it back b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11692615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11697544 · 2025-11-05 (November 5, 2025)
On November 3, 2025 I had an accident/event in my KIA Niro. At 2:20 I had been sitting in my car with the engine running and the gear was in (P) park. I was on an incline. When I saw the child I was babysitting ‘s bus arrived, hopped out of the car (it was still running) and walked behind the car, and stood waiting for him. I told him to hold on and we would go inside after I grabbed my phone and turned the car off. I opened my drivers side door to grab my phone, when the car started moving very rapidly backwards. I made every effort get con…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11697544 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 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V024000 · Seats | Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2025-01-17 (January 17, 2025)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
Consequence: Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗