2019 Kia NIRO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Kia NIRO has 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the consumer rented a 2019 kia niro. the consumer stated that when the vehicle was started and placed in reverse, the vehicle moved forward without warning. the gear shift indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse at the time of the failure. the vehicle was returned to the rental compa. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

21 complaints

26%

• TL* THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE RENTAL COMPA
• WHEN I WAS GOING TO LA USING 110 EXPRESS LANE. CAR STOP UNPREDICTABLY TOTALLY AND I PARKED THE CAR LEFT SIDE 110 EXPRESS LANE. I WAS STAYED 3 HOURS UNTIL TOW COMING.
• I BOUGHT MY 2019 CAR ON DECEMBER 2020. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, AND I START FORWARD, THE CAR JERKS AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME RANDOMLY, BUT ONCE VERY 15 STOPS IN AVERAGE, ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 DAYS. I WENT TO AN ONLINE FORUM OF KIA OWNERS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM COMES FROM THE WRON

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

“TL* THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE RENTAL COMPA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

14 complaints

17%

• FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING FOR 2 DAYS. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY, 8/13/19, THE HEV LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, CA. INITIALLY THEY SAID IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEN ON 8/17 THEY TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITION
• THE PROBLEM THAT I'M I'M HAVING IS A CODE P0456 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED, WHICH IS A SMALL LEAK. THE REASON WHY I'M WORRIED IS BECAUSE THE GAUGE FOR THE RPMS GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS AS FAR AS IT CAN GO, IN OTHER WORDS IT'S LIKE AS IF I'M PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AS FAR AS IT C
• The contact owned a 2019 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a ticking and a popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's friend who was following behind noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was driven to the destin

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING FOR 2 DAYS. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY, 8/13/19, THE HEV LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, CA. INITIALLY THEY SAID IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEN ON 8/17 THEY TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITION”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

12 complaints

15%

• Starting battery (which operates the safety systems) was getting progressively worse until vehicle could not be started. Upon inspection it was determined that the 1.5 year old starting battery was swollen and defective. NOTE: Vehicle did sit for 12 months in estate litigation.
• Multiple problems with transmission and electrical. Electrical: 1) While traveling 80mph in the far left lane of the highway, I had to make a hard break when someone changed lanes and moved into my path. When I did that, the car turned off completely. (The key fob was still secured in my cup holder
• 12 volt starting battery (Lithium Ion Polymer) pn 37507-G2120. battery swollen and will not take charge (2.5 years old) 15,000 miles on vehicle. This battery powers dash and all related safety systems. Dealer refuses to look into problem as batteries are on national back order status and cannot fi

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“Starting battery (which operates the safety systems) was getting progressively worse until vehicle could not be started. Upon inspection it was determined that the 1.5 year old starting battery was swollen and defective. NOTE: Vehicle did sit for 12 months in estate litigation.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

7 complaints

• AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AC STOPPED WORKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, ALARMS OR INDICATORS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AS I BRAKED ON THE RAMP, THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING THE R
• FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING FOR 2 DAYS. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY, 8/13/19, THE HEV LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, CA. INITIALLY THEY SAID IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEN ON 8/17 THEY TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITION
• THE PROBLEM THAT I'M I'M HAVING IS A CODE P0456 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED, WHICH IS A SMALL LEAK. THE REASON WHY I'M WORRIED IS BECAUSE THE GAUGE FOR THE RPMS GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS AS FAR AS IT CAN GO, IN OTHER WORDS IT'S LIKE AS IF I'M PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AS FAR AS IT C

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

“AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AC STOPPED WORKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, ALARMS OR INDICATORS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AS I BRAKED ON THE RAMP, THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING THE R”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

7 complaints

• Twice the vehicle has lost all ability to brake or accelerate suddenly while driving speeds over 60 mph. The brake sticks in the up position, emergency brake doesn't work, and the gas pedal goes to the floor but does not work. The vehicle electrical panel goes haywire, battery of hybrid shows dead
• Breaks seized to respond when doing a sharp break. Vehicle did not break and slid off until it hit the vehicle up front. Waiting for vehicle inspection to begin. No warning signs, lights, or prior issues happened before the incident.
• Able to completely stop vehicle with light brake pedal pressure without activating the brake lights. Regenerative braking is engaged

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“Twice the vehicle has lost all ability to brake or accelerate suddenly while driving speeds over 60 mph. The brake sticks in the up position, emergency brake doesn't work, and the gas pedal goes to the floor but does not work. The vehicle electrical panel goes haywire, battery of hybrid shows dead”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 81 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE RENTAL COMPA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING FOR 2 DAYS. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY, 8/13/19, THE HEV LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, CA. INITIALLY THEY SAID IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEN ON 8/17 THEY TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Starting battery (which operates the safety systems) was getting progressively worse until vehicle could not be started. Upon inspection it was determined that the 1.5 year old starting battery was swollen and defective. NOTE: Vehicle did sit for 12 months in estate litigation.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AC STOPPED WORKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, ALARMS OR INDICATORS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AS I BRAKED ON THE RAMP, THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING THE R
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)