Total Complaints
21 filings
KIA NIRO PHEV · model year
21 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2018KIANIRO PHEV carries 21 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2018 NIRO PHEV is power train with 6 filings, followed by engine (3) and structure:body (2). 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 2018 NIRO PHEV, 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.
Total Complaints
21 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 6 |
| ENGINE | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CLUTCHES/BANDS:ACTUATORS/SOLENOIDS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
I received KIA letter about the recall SC276 for HCA issue around 1/15/24. I brought my 2018 Kia Niro PHEV to Kia Dealer in San Jose. They inspected and concluded that the vehicle is safe with the recall SC276. However, they did not replace the fuse as stated in Kia's recall instructions. Ten days later, I was on the road, slowing down at the intersection and the car suddenly lost power, the Dashboard show the message for 'EV System failed'. My battery was fully charged at work, which is 2 miles away. My gas tank was full and I couldn't start my car again. Lucky enough, I was 1/4 mile away entering a Freeway. I couldn't imagine what would happen if I was on Freeway. Police stopped by, put road warning while I scrambled to get a tow truck. An hour later, they was able to move my car off the road. The first Kia Dealer is 3 miles away. They, however, refused to service my car because the other Dealer in San Jose already checked my car for recall before. I had to tow my car 36 miles to San
I received KIA letter about the recall SC276 for HCA issue around 1/15/24. I brought my 2018 Kia Niro PHEV to Kia Dealer in San Jose. They inspected and concluded that the vehicle is safe with the recall SC276. However, they did not replace the fuse as stated in Kia's recall instructions. Ten days later, I was on the road, slowing down at the intersection and the car suddenly lost power, the Dashboard show the message for 'EV System failed'. My battery was fully charged at work, which is 2 miles away. My gas tank was full and I couldn't start my car again. Lucky enough, I was 1/4 mile away entering a Freeway. I couldn't imagine what would happen if I was on Freeway. Police stopped by, put road warning while I scrambled to get a tow truck. An hour later, they was able to move my car off the road. The first Kia Dealer is 3 miles away. They, however, refused to service my car because the other Dealer in San Jose already checked my car for recall before. I had to tow my car 36 miles to San
I received KIA letter about the recall SC276 for HCA issue around 1/15/24. I brought my 2018 Kia Niro PHEV to Kia Dealer in San Jose. They inspected and concluded that the vehicle is safe with the recall SC276. However, they did not replace the fuse as stated in Kia's recall instructions. Ten days later, I was on the road, slowing down at the intersection and the car suddenly lost power, the Dashboard show the message for 'EV System failed'. My battery was fully charged at work, which is 2 miles away. My gas tank was full and I couldn't start my car again. Lucky enough, I was 1/4 mile away entering a Freeway. I couldn't imagine what would happen if I was on Freeway. Police stopped by, put road warning while I scrambled to get a tow truck. An hour later, they was able to move my car off the road. The first Kia Dealer is 3 miles away. They, however, refused to service my car because the other Dealer in San Jose already checked my car for recall before. I had to tow my car 36 miles to San
I was driving myself and two passengers on a highway at night in the rain. I was using the adaptive cruise control and was maintaining speed when i went through a puddle and I think the car hydroplaned a little. A warning sign flashed up on the dash that said something towards "deactivating cruise control" - i am not sure of the exact warning. I've had a warning similar, im not sure if its the exact same, when the adaptive cruise control turns off in traffic and it slows down and turns itself off. But when it turned off this time after the puddle I tried to take control of the car and the gas pedal was completely unresponsive. Pedal to the metal, nothing. I was, thankfully, the only car in sight, so i was able to change lanes and check my brakes, which worked, and coasted/braked my way off the shoulder. I turned the car off and then back on and the car and pedal responded normally.
I was driving myself and two passengers on a highway at night in the rain. I was using the adaptive cruise control and was maintaining speed when i went through a puddle and I think the car hydroplaned a little. A warning sign flashed up on the dash that said something towards "deactivating cruise control" - i am not sure of the exact warning. I've had a warning similar, im not sure if its the exact same, when the adaptive cruise control turns off in traffic and it slows down and turns itself off. But when it turned off this time after the puddle I tried to take control of the car and the gas pedal was completely unresponsive. Pedal to the metal, nothing. I was, thankfully, the only car in sight, so i was able to change lanes and check my brakes, which worked, and coasted/braked my way off the shoulder. I turned the car off and then back on and the car and pedal responded normally.
In July 2023, Kia identified a defect that can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving; namely that the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator may become contaminated with fluid and lead to an electrical short circuit. To date, there is still no remedy available. I am filing this complaint for your assistance in ensuring the company provides a remedy within a reasonable time.
The contact owns a 2018 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 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. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID, 16,235MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 30 DAYS IN SHOP. TRANSMISSION WILL DO A VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPING. MAKES VEHICLE DIP HARD..NOTICEABLE ON DASH CAM VIDEO. ON HARDER ACCELERATION, POWER TRAIN HAS TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND OFTEN THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. FEELS SORT OF LIKE IT IS SLIPPING, BUT IS A DELAY IN POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FULLY AND STARTING THE GAS MOTOR.THIS HAS CAUSED A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC EXPECTING THE CAR TO REACT APPROPRIATELY. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR, BLED SYSTEM AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. THIS FIXED A SQUEAK NOISE IN POWER TRAIN BUT NOT THE HARSH/ERRATIC OPERATIONS. AS FOR THE BRAKES, RECENTLY, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WITH MORE THAN LIGHT PRESSURE CAUSES A RUBBERY GROAN SOUND FROM UNDER DRIVER'S DASH. THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR SI
Mileage: 5,000
2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID, 16,235MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 30 DAYS IN SHOP. TRANSMISSION WILL DO A VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPING. MAKES VEHICLE DIP HARD..NOTICEABLE ON DASH CAM VIDEO. ON HARDER ACCELERATION, POWER TRAIN HAS TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND OFTEN THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. FEELS SORT OF LIKE IT IS SLIPPING, BUT IS A DELAY IN POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FULLY AND STARTING THE GAS MOTOR.THIS HAS CAUSED A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC EXPECTING THE CAR TO REACT APPROPRIATELY. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR, BLED SYSTEM AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. THIS FIXED A SQUEAK NOISE IN POWER TRAIN BUT NOT THE HARSH/ERRATIC OPERATIONS. AS FOR THE BRAKES, RECENTLY, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WITH MORE THAN LIGHT PRESSURE CAUSES A RUBBERY GROAN SOUND FROM UNDER DRIVER'S DASH. THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR SI
Mileage: 5,000
2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID, 16,235MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 30 DAYS IN SHOP. TRANSMISSION WILL DO A VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPING. MAKES VEHICLE DIP HARD..NOTICEABLE ON DASH CAM VIDEO. ON HARDER ACCELERATION, POWER TRAIN HAS TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND OFTEN THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. FEELS SORT OF LIKE IT IS SLIPPING, BUT IS A DELAY IN POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FULLY AND STARTING THE GAS MOTOR.THIS HAS CAUSED A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC EXPECTING THE CAR TO REACT APPROPRIATELY. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR, BLED SYSTEM AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. THIS FIXED A SQUEAK NOISE IN POWER TRAIN BUT NOT THE HARSH/ERRATIC OPERATIONS. AS FOR THE BRAKES, RECENTLY, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WITH MORE THAN LIGHT PRESSURE CAUSES A RUBBERY GROAN SOUND FROM UNDER DRIVER'S DASH. THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR SI
Mileage: 5,000
DOOR HANDLE CANE OFF AND VEHICLE SOMETIMES CAN NOT BE LICKED
Mileage: 24,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND THROUGH AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THEIR RED LIGHT CAUSING A COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FAILED. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE DEEMED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT SHOULD CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 25,000
VEHICLE RANDOMLY FLASHES MESSAGE TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEAR AFTER VEHICLE RESET BUT THE MESSAGE HAS REPEATEDLY COME UP VERY OFTEN NOW. MESSAGE POPS UP DURING MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS: AFTER CHARGING, BEFORE CHARGING, WHILE CHARGING, AND DURING OPERATION.
Mileage: 15,000
VEHICLE RANDOMLY FLASHES MESSAGE TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEAR AFTER VEHICLE RESET BUT THE MESSAGE HAS REPEATEDLY COME UP VERY OFTEN NOW. MESSAGE POPS UP DURING MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS: AFTER CHARGING, BEFORE CHARGING, WHILE CHARGING, AND DURING OPERATION.
Mileage: 15,000
VEHICLE RANDOMLY FLASHES MESSAGE TO CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. WARNING MESSAGE DISAPPEAR AFTER VEHICLE RESET BUT THE MESSAGE HAS REPEATEDLY COME UP VERY OFTEN NOW. MESSAGE POPS UP DURING MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS: AFTER CHARGING, BEFORE CHARGING, WHILE CHARGING, AND DURING OPERATION.
Mileage: 15,000
I WENT TO A KIA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS THEN INFORMED THERE WERE 3 OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION BY MAIL, EMAIL OR PHONE. THE REPAIRS WERE TO TAKE 5 HOURS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO THE REPAIRS AND LEFT THE CAR THERE THE ENTIRE DAY AND HAD TO BE SHUTTLED 20 MILES BACK AND FORTH TWICE THAT DAY. THEY WERE NOT COMPETENT ENOUGH TO ORDER THE PARTS BUT WERE CONTENT TO HAVE ME WASTE MY ENTIRE DAY AND TELL ME TO COME BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK. THE INCOMPETENT DEALER IS KIA ON BATTLEGROUND IN GREENSBORO.
Mileage: 7,000
I WENT TO A KIA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS THEN INFORMED THERE WERE 3 OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION BY MAIL, EMAIL OR PHONE. THE REPAIRS WERE TO TAKE 5 HOURS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO THE REPAIRS AND LEFT THE CAR THERE THE ENTIRE DAY AND HAD TO BE SHUTTLED 20 MILES BACK AND FORTH TWICE THAT DAY. THEY WERE NOT COMPETENT ENOUGH TO ORDER THE PARTS BUT WERE CONTENT TO HAVE ME WASTE MY ENTIRE DAY AND TELL ME TO COME BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK. THE INCOMPETENT DEALER IS KIA ON BATTLEGROUND IN GREENSBORO.
Mileage: 7,000
I WENT TO A KIA DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS THEN INFORMED THERE WERE 3 OPEN RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION BY MAIL, EMAIL OR PHONE. THE REPAIRS WERE TO TAKE 5 HOURS. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO DO THE REPAIRS AND LEFT THE CAR THERE THE ENTIRE DAY AND HAD TO BE SHUTTLED 20 MILES BACK AND FORTH TWICE THAT DAY. THEY WERE NOT COMPETENT ENOUGH TO ORDER THE PARTS BUT WERE CONTENT TO HAVE ME WASTE MY ENTIRE DAY AND TELL ME TO COME BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK. THE INCOMPETENT DEALER IS KIA ON BATTLEGROUND IN GREENSBORO.
Mileage: 7,000
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.