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Engine & cooling

Kia Niro Electric Engine problems by year

9 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Niro Electric's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20225000
20201000
20193000

Latest Niro Electric engine complaints

2022 Kia Niro ElectricTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

On [redacted], After I attempted to plug my car into my home charging outlet at 240V, less than 20 minutes later I received an alert that my battery was at 0%. After unplugging the car, waiting for 30 minutes and plugging it back into the out, my car was unable to see the charging outlet or the 40A cable plugged into the port. Unplugged car again and after talking to remote mechanic, came to decision to take car to AAA repair shop for troubleshooting. Once at the AAA repair shop in [[redacted]], was advised to...

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take my car to a Kia dealership, as a module was nonfunctional. Brought car to Beyer Kia in [[redacted]], who held onto my car for two months before making a diagnosis that my car was struck by lightning via a Field Technical Engineer, though the DTC codes stated otherwise: C180287, C161487, C16b487, C161487, C161487, C182D00. All codes noted are internal Controller Area Network Bus Communication Timeouts between internal modules, not power surge or electrical strike. C161487 - registered three times: Internal network timed out because VCU abruptly went offline or lost power. With it registering 3 times confirms ongoing hardware/power supply struggle inside car's computers, not external bolt of lightning. C16B487 - Another subsystem critical timeout error, unable to communicate with VCU. C180287 - Internal stability/chassis lost data connection over vehicle's internal network. C181D00 - Network fault indicating control module voltage dropped below required operating threshold to maintain communication. Kia is trying to claim an external surge (lightning) caused this. However, if a massive high-voltage lightning surge had entered the vehicle through the charging port, it would have permanently fried the OBC (Onboard Charger) or the ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit). This would immediately trigger high-voltage hardware failure "P-codes" (Powertrain). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11773180
2019 Kia Niro ElectricElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

My 2019 Kia Niro EV, with approximately 75,000 miles, continuously displays a "Refill inverter coolant" warning. While driving, the vehicle intermittently displays the turtle-shaped reduced-power warning and experiences a significant loss of acceleration. The vehicle does not respond normally to accelerator input. The condition sometimes clears after a period of driving, but when traveling uphill, the warning and reduced acceleration persist. This creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle may be unable...

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to maintain speed or accelerate sufficiently on hills or when merging into traffic. The vehicle has been at an authorized Kia dealership for approximately seven days. The dealership has not yet identified the cause and has reportedly contacted Kia corporate technical support. The dealer has also indicated that another vehicle has presented with a similar issue. I am requesting an investigation into the potential coolant-circulation or thermal-management defect and its relationship to unexpected propulsion-power reduction.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11770708
2022 Kia Niro ElectricElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered limp mode and loss automotive power while the vehicle was still at full battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11737434
2020 Kia Niro ElectricEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Niro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the refill inverter coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the refill inverter warning light illuminated while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with debris and corrosion in the inverters and electronic water pump. The contact was informed that the radiator and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that...

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in November 2023, the contact received Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, and the dealer attempted four times to perform the repair but was unsuccessful. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer who performed the Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, had not diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer, who investigated and informed the contact that the Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, repair was not properly performed, and stated that this was the reason for the corrosion and debris in the water pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact stated that a buy-back by the manufacturer was requested; however, the buy-back request was denied. The failure mileage was approximately 44,910.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11675157
2022 Kia Niro ElectricTransmission & drivetrainBrakesEngine & cooling

I bought my 2022 Kia Niro EV new in 2022, and around 40,000 miles, I had a problem with the reduction motor so I replaced it, shortly after that I had a problem with the wheel so I replaced a part called the axle, and shortly after that, the other wheel had the same problem so I replaced the same part, and the Kia employee said that this part only breaks if there is a strong impact (traffic accident) so it's strange. All of this happened in less than 2 years but I had it covered under warranty so I got it fixed,...

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but now the reduction motor problem that I had originally replaced has happened again and they are demanding $5,800 to repair it since it's out of warranty. I think this is unfair, and this is the first time I've had a car with this many problems in less than 3 years.

Filed Incident Power train · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11639695
2022 Kia Niro ElectricElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Car has broken down, not started, battery dead when fully charged MULTIPLE TIMES. It has been in the Kia service department since March 2024 (9 months) and they can't figure out where the parasitic drain is from. This is the third time this year getting towed to the Kia dealership with no resolution. No warning lights / labels prior to failure. Danger by leaving me stranded 3+ times this year with need for triple A.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11630675
2019 Kia Niro ElectricEngine & coolingEquipment & accessories

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Niro. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The check regenerative braking system message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transition motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Incident Engine · Equipment adaptive / mobilityNHTSA 11518843
2022 Kia Niro ElectricElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The vehicle has failed to start on 3 occasions and needed to be jumped. When towed to the dealership they've been unable to find any issues.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11514336
2019 Kia Niro ElectricTransmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact leased a 2019 kia niro. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure was experienced twice. The vehicle was taken to kaearny mesa ford kia dealer (7303 clairemont mesa boulevard, san diego, ca 92111, (858)560-6965, and the vehicle was test driven however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11326198

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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