2022 Kia NIRO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2022 Kia NIRO has 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: just over 2 weeks after purchase of new kia niro the brakes failed completely. the regenerative brake light appeared in red along with the abs light and several others. i was driving in a major highway and had no pressure in the brake pedal, leaving me completely unable to brake. i dropped the car.

7 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

7 complaints

18%

• Just over 2 weeks after purchase of new Kia Niro the brakes failed completely. The regenerative brake light appeared in red along with the ABS light and several others. I was driving in a major highway and had no pressure in the brake pedal, leaving me completely unable to brake. I dropped the car
• Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no
• My right brake light keeps going out and it was “fix” before my the Kia dealership and they said it was just a lose harness but months later it has happened again, the warning light constantly comes on and the power to the light is intermittent. It is currently back into the shop to run another diag

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

“Just over 2 weeks after purchase of new Kia Niro the brakes failed completely. The regenerative brake light appeared in red along with the ABS light and several others. I was driving in a major highway and had no pressure in the brake pedal, leaving me completely unable to brake. I dropped the car”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints

15%

• The silver accent bar on the center console below the air vents creates a major glare when the sunlight hits it. It reduces visibility by causing a distraction and feels as if you're staring into the sun. The photo doesn't do it justice but this has happened multiple times and I have to hold up my a
• I took my car to the Dublin California Kia dealer because my car would not start or allow me to open the doors. When I had it towed to the dealer they said that the lithium ion battery under the rear seat had swollen. They said they would first address the recall for the (HCA) recall number 23V534.
• express my concern regarding a persistent and unresolved defect in the 12-volt battery of my 2022 Kia Niro, which I purchased from Hanlees Kia in 2022. In 2023, I brought my vehicle back to Hanlees Kia due to the battery dying prematurely. At that time, the dealership informed me of a battery jump

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

“The silver accent bar on the center console below the air vents creates a major glare when the sunlight hits it. It reduces visibility by causing a distraction and feels as if you're staring into the sun. The photo doesn't do it justice but this has happened multiple times and I have to hold up my a”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

5 complaints

13%

• Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no
• I took my car to the Dublin California Kia dealer because my car would not start or allow me to open the doors. When I had it towed to the dealer they said that the lithium ion battery under the rear seat had swollen. They said they would first address the recall for the (HCA) recall number 23V534.
• This car was purchased certified pre-owned from a Kia Dealership with 46,227 miles in October 2024. Within a month (Nov 2024), the electrical system would die overnight and we would require a jump start. This seemed to align with colder temperatures. After the first or second jump start, a headlight

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

“Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

5 complaints

13%

• Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, Calif
• The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complai
• Vehicle with code p0420, Kia dealership technician say: the problem was the spark, proceeded to change it and clear code. Check engine turn on again, the same person say: it’s a ring piston, the car was leaked engine oil to exhaust and he see blue smoke, no evidence for part of dealership and dealer

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

“Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, Calif”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

4 complaints

10%

• Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, Calif
• The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and Hybrid System warning lights illuminate
• The contact's husband owns a 2022 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. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact s

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 40 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: Just over 2 weeks after purchase of new Kia Niro the brakes failed completely. The regenerative brake light appeared in red along with the ABS light and several others. I was driving in a major highway and had no pressure in the brake pedal, leaving me completely unable to brake. I dropped the car
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: The silver accent bar on the center console below the air vents creates a major glare when the sunlight hits it. It reduces visibility by causing a distraction and feels as if you're staring into the sun. The photo doesn't do it justice but this has happened multiple times and I have to hold up my a
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, Calif
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)