Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | −20% | 2 | Transmission | Average |
| 2022 | 12 | 1.8× | 1 | Transmission | Caution |
| 2020 | 5 | −67% | 1 | Transmission | Good |
| 2019 | 26 | — | 1 | Transmission | Limited data |
| 2018 | 13 | — | 1 | Transmission | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median Niro Phev year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Kia Niro Phev problems
Latest Kia Niro Phev recalls
Seats
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023.
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Kia Niro Phev should you avoid?
2022 — this year has the most complaints relative to other Niro Phev years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2022.
What is the best year for the Kia Niro Phev?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Niro Phev years at the same age, followed by 2023. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Kia Niro Phev problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (25), engine & cooling (9) and electrical system (8). Transmission complaints peak in the 2019 model year.
How many recalls has the Kia Niro Phev had?
3 recalls across 2018–2023. The model year with the most is 2023. See all Kia Niro Phev recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.