2019 Kia NIRO PHEV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Kia NIRO PHEV has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: 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.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

9 complaints

27%

• 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
• 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.
• I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints

18%

• 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.
• 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 I
• For no apparent reason (other than a stress crack or other manufacturer or design defect), a long crack appeared in my windshield (start from the bottom left and going up and over about 20 inches). It is an interior window crack that cannot be felt from the inside or outside. Vehicle was simply pa

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

4 complaints

12%

• I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been
• I have a used 2019 Niro PHEV. I started getting a loud jerk when starting from a full stop. At first it started happened in EV mode only but I've had it happen in Hybrid mode a couple of times ( not sure if the engine is actually working or just on for Heating). The sound and jerk can best be descri
• Recall letter from KIA states "WARNING: You may experience illumination of the HEV warning light. If this occurs, pull over to a safe location and contact Kia Roadside Assistance ... to request to have your vehicle towed to the nearest authorized Kia dealership as soon as possible." This implies tha

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

3 complaints

• Received automated message that my engine may be compromised and to schedule maintenance, I took my car to the dealership service that same day. I was advised that the fuel injectors needed replaced, the car still was not working the was advised a cylinder needed to be replaced that did not correct
• I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been
• I have a used 2019 Niro PHEV. I started getting a loud jerk when starting from a full stop. At first it started happened in EV mode only but I've had it happen in Hybrid mode a couple of times ( not sure if the engine is actually working or just on for Heating). The sound and jerk can best be descri

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Received automated message that my engine may be compromised and to schedule maintenance, I took my car to the dealership service that same day. I was advised that the fuel injectors needed replaced, the car still was not working the was advised a cylinder needed to be replaced that did not correct”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• On 7-31-2022 while traveling on the freeway the gas engine shut down, HEV triangle came on and the information center on the car displayed "turn off car restart" on this trip it happened three times. I took the car to the dealer and they had it for a month and could not get it to act up. On 5-5-2023
• 12 volt battery will suddenly and without warning loose capacity to power the vehicle operating controls and displays including remote key access, start sequence using push button start, and traction battery charging through charging port. While parked and connected to a charging station vehicle ‘di
• My 2019 Kia Niro LX PHEV is or has recently been the subject of multiple including NHTSA Recall Number [XXX] and Service Action [XXX]. Despite coordinating repair of these defects with the University Kia dealership located at 5105 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707 (hereafter 'University Kia"

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“On 7-31-2022 while traveling on the freeway the gas engine shut down, HEV triangle came on and the information center on the car displayed "turn off car restart" on this trip it happened three times. I took the car to the dealer and they had it for a month and could not get it to act up. On 5-5-2023”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 33 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: Received automated message that my engine may be compromised and to schedule maintenance, I took my car to the dealership service that same day. I was advised that the fuel injectors needed replaced, the car still was not working the was advised a cylinder needed to be replaced that did not correct
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)