KIA NIRO HYBRID · model year

2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID

24 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017KIANIRO HYBRID carries 24 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 NIRO HYBRID is unknown or other with 4 filings, followed by service brakes (3) and vehicle speed control (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2017 NIRO HYBRID, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

24
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

24 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SERVICE BRAKES3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
STRUCTURE:BODY3
POWER TRAIN3
ENGINE3
STEERING1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
SEATS1
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (1)

17V15900010/03/2017

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Niro vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

Recent Complaints

20210628HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, an abnormal sound was heard, and the vehicle lost forwards momentum. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. As the contact exited the vehicle, an abnormal odor appeared under the hood. There were no flames present. The contact stated that oil was seen leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was unable to drive. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V257000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

Mileage: 39,000

20210628ENGINE

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, an abnormal sound was heard, and the vehicle lost forwards momentum. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. As the contact exited the vehicle, an abnormal odor appeared under the hood. There were no flames present. The contact stated that oil was seen leaking underneath the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was unable to drive. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V257000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

Mileage: 39,000

20201215ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER RK KIA OF VINELAND LOCATED AT 612 N. DELSEA DR BUILDING 1, VINELAND, NJ 08360 WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO A LACK OF OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 57,000

20190702UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID SEEMS TO NOT BE STORING CODES WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAVE HAD 3 SEPARATE PROBLEMS WITH BY NIRO IN 3 WEEKS WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WITH THE HEV HYBRID FUSE AND WITH A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND NO POWER AND YET BY THE TIME IT WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP IT RESET ITSELF BUT DIDN'T STORE ANY CODES FROM THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.. THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEMS AND HAD NO WERE TO START FROM. I'M NOW DRIVING IT AND JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO GO WRONG WITH IT

Mileage: 44,427

20190627POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 KIA NIRO ON REGULAR ROADS, IT HAD A DRAMATIC DOWN SHIFT IN FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP. CONTINUED FOUR MORE STOPS WHEN APPROACHING A HILL, THE SPORT MODE DID NOT WORK AND BARELY MADE IT UP HILL, NO CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER LIGHTS. SHOP COULDN'T RECREATE PROBLEM. THE RECALIBRATED THE TRANSMISSION. DROVE FINE 1 DAY. 3/4 OF MY WAY ON 200 MILE TRIP ON HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL THE HEV LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE AND BLINKING GREEN CAR CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED THE HYBRID SYSTEM FUSE. 5 DAYS LATER ON 74 MILE TRIPP'S HIGHWAY ENGINE, (!) AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON, LOST POWER AND BARELY MADE IT UP A HILL. OH AND THE HOOD POPPED OPEN, HELD BY LATCH WHILE DOING 65 ON HIGHWAY . NOW IT SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP

Mileage: 44,427

20190518ENGINE

THE CAR MISFIRES DUE TO THE EGR VALVE AND THE ENGINEER'S OF THE CAR CAN'T COME UP WITH A FIX FOR THE MISFIRE PROBLEM THE CAR HAS NO POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND IS UNSAFE

Mileage: 1

20190326FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2017 KIA NIRO CAUGHT ON FIRE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. NO COLLUSION WAS INVOLVED. I GOT A WARNING MESSAGE TO STOP THE ENGINE DUE TO A PROBLEM BEING DETECTED IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I PULLED OFF OF THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY HOOD. I THOUGHT THAT SOMETHING HAD JUST HAPPENED TO THE ENGINE. I STAYED IN THE CAR AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK AS I DID NOT WANT TO STAND ON THE SHOULDER OF THIS BUSY HIGHWAY. A MAN THEN JUMPS OUT OF HIS TRUCK AND STARTS RUNNING TOWARD ME YELLING AT ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR THAT IT WAS ON FIRE. I GOT OUT, WE RAN DOWN THE SHOULDER AND WE STOOD WATCHING MY CAR BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN NOVEMBER 2018.

20181015SEATS

THE STEMS THAT THE HEADREST SETS ON ARE SHARP. MY DAUGHTER CUT HER FINGER WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST THE HEADREST. IT WAS MINOR, BUT STILL UNEXPECTED.

Mileage: 21,000

20181008POWER TRAIN

THE ACCELERATION RAPIDLY FLUCTUATES AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS VIBRATING.

Mileage: 4

20181008SERVICE BRAKES

DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING THE CAR SKIDS LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN THE CAR GOING INTO A SIDEWAYS SKID. I ENCOUNTERED THIS NUMEROUS TIMES IN SLIGHTLY WET/SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN PANIC BRAKING FROM ~35 MPH.

Mileage: 4

20181008STRUCTURE:BODY

ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2018, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE COMING BACK FROM AUSTIN AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS I HEARD A SOUND OF SOMETHING RATTLING ABOVE MY HEAD. MY PASSENGER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE SUNROOF AREA. HE CRACKED OPEN THE SUNROOF ACCESS DOOR AND HE SAID HE COULD SEE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED AND HE CLOSED IT IMMEDIATELY. WE STOPPED AS SOON AS WE COULD AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE SHATTERED SUNROOF. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY AND THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS AROUND US. AND WE DID NOT GO UNDER ANY BRIDGES OR OVERPASSES.

Mileage: 22,500

20181008UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2018, I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE COMING BACK FROM AUSTIN AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS I HEARD A SOUND OF SOMETHING RATTLING ABOVE MY HEAD. MY PASSENGER SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE SUNROOF AREA. HE CRACKED OPEN THE SUNROOF ACCESS DOOR AND HE SAID HE COULD SEE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED AND HE CLOSED IT IMMEDIATELY. WE STOPPED AS SOON AS WE COULD AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE SHATTERED SUNROOF. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY AND THERE WERE NOT ANY CARS AROUND US. AND WE DID NOT GO UNDER ANY BRIDGES OR OVERPASSES.

Mileage: 22,500

20180830STRUCTURE:BODY

VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY (PARKED AND UNLOCKED). UPON PULLING THE HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR (BACKSEAT, DRIVER'S SIDE), THE HANDLE BROKE OFF AND FELL TO THE GROUND. I RETRIEVED THE HANDLE AND A (BROKEN) PLASTIC CONNECTING PIECE.

Mileage: 6,800

20180514FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAD THIS CAR 2 MONTHS WHEN I REALIZED I AM NOT GETTING MPG AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING OFF. MPG ON HIGHWAY IS ABOUT 35 MPG AND ABOUT 40 IN STREET. ABOUT TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I AM ABOUT SLOWING DOWN I HEAR NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND SOME TIMES I FEEL SHAKE, AND ALSO FEW TIMES VERY HARD KICK. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE WITH SERVICE AT CARSON, AND GLENDALE KIA AND BOTH SERVICE REP GAVE ME SAME ANSWER ABOUT THIS CLUTCH IS COMPUTER AND IT IS NORMAL IF JERKS. AND ALSO ONCE I ASKED SERVICE TECH TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HE SAID SAME THING.

Mileage: 1

20180514POWER TRAIN

I HAD THIS CAR 2 MONTHS WHEN I REALIZED I AM NOT GETTING MPG AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING OFF. MPG ON HIGHWAY IS ABOUT 35 MPG AND ABOUT 40 IN STREET. ABOUT TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I AM ABOUT SLOWING DOWN I HEAR NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND SOME TIMES I FEEL SHAKE, AND ALSO FEW TIMES VERY HARD KICK. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE WITH SERVICE AT CARSON, AND GLENDALE KIA AND BOTH SERVICE REP GAVE ME SAME ANSWER ABOUT THIS CLUTCH IS COMPUTER AND IT IS NORMAL IF JERKS. AND ALSO ONCE I ASKED SERVICE TECH TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HE SAID SAME THING.

Mileage: 1

20171214SERVICE BRAKES

NEW KIA NIRO ROLLS BACK ON INCLINES IN DRIVE AFTER REMOVING FOOT OFF OF BREAK AND RIGHT BEFORE PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, ON PAVED, CITY STREETS. NEVER HAD THIS WITH OTHER AUTOMATICS. NEW KIA NIRO JUMPS FORWARD/ACCELERATES SHARPLY WHILE IN DRIVE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY (1-3 MILES PER HOUR) UP AN INCLINE. THIS OCCURRES ON PAVED, CITY STREETS.

Mileage: 40

20171214VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

NEW KIA NIRO ROLLS BACK ON INCLINES IN DRIVE AFTER REMOVING FOOT OFF OF BREAK AND RIGHT BEFORE PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, ON PAVED, CITY STREETS. NEVER HAD THIS WITH OTHER AUTOMATICS. NEW KIA NIRO JUMPS FORWARD/ACCELERATES SHARPLY WHILE IN DRIVE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY (1-3 MILES PER HOUR) UP AN INCLINE. THIS OCCURRES ON PAVED, CITY STREETS.

Mileage: 40

20171207EXTERIOR LIGHTING

REVERSING (BACKUP) LIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, AND MAY NOT COMPLY WITH THE STIPULATIONS OF SECTION 571.108 OF THE CFR TITLE 49 CH. 5 (10-1-04 EDITION)

Mileage: 100

20171119STRUCTURE:BODY

EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES POP OFF, JUST FROM PULLING ON THE HANDLES TO OPEN THE DOOR.

Mileage: 12,500

20170609VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I ACCELERATED TO 65MPH.I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL. 2 SECONDS LATER I SEE THAT I AM ACCELERATING. I PRESS CANCEL AT 72 MPH. I PRESS THE CRUISE BUTTON AGAIN, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE, THEN ON AGAIN. SLOW TO 65, PRESS THE - SET AND IT IMMEDIATELY STARTS SPEEDING UP. SECOND REPORT. 4TH AND 5TH TIME TO HAPPEN. DASHCAM RECORDED EVENTS.

Mileage: 1,900

Compare 2017KIANIRO HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID have?
The 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID has 24 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID?
The 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID?
Yes, the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Is the 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2017 KIA NIRO HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.