Most common 2023 Kia Niro problems
Share of the 44 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Niro complaints by model year
Best Niro years: 2021. Years to avoid: 2023, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
2023 Kia Niro recalls (2)
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.
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.
What 2023 Kia Niro owners say
Electrical system
I was driving my 2023 Kia Niro PHEV into my garage after running an errand, going very slowly. Suddenly the vehicle--all on its own--surged forward, slammed into the rear wall (triggering air bags), ricocheted backward across the street, and struck a neighbor's fence. I was able to get out of the car but I was in shock; paramedics were called. Ultimately, my injuries were found to be limited to bruised ribs, but it has been very painful and limiting. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where it was pronounced a total loss. I received a settlement check from my insurance company, but I am out-of-pocket for the deductible, costs relating to getting a new vehicle, and of course the pain and suffering. I was told there was an event data recorder (EDR) on the vehicle, and my insurance adjuster will tell me what it reveals (I hope). …
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost significant motive power and was unable to accelerate above 43 MPH. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle briefly returned to normal functionality, but the failure reoccurred. The EPS, stability control, impending collision, Lane Keep Assist, engine oil pressure, check engine, and catch-all warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed the warning lights were illuminated but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 600.
Driver assistance
My wife was in an accident on [redacted] around [redacted] at the intersection of [redacted] . She had exchanged safety information with the person whose vehicle had stalled. She went to shut off the car upon exchanging the information and after pressing the ignition button the vehicle began to roll. She was outside of the vehicle when she had pressed the ignition button. She tried physically to stop the vehicle, trippped and was dragged until the vehicle came to a stop after running over her leg and hitting a tree. The vehicle had recall items addressed on October 2 or 3rd. She was trying to stop the vehicle from rolling as she knew that school was letting out and a school bus would be coming on the road she was at. I contacted the dealer about it and they stated that they had never heard of this happening with there vehicles and to call customer service. …
The components and systems failing are the brakes, adaptive cruise control, smart stop n go cruise control and electrical. Yes it is available for inspection upon request. The auto cruise control doesn't give a safe distance to stop at (u r close enough to not see there tires) from the car in front of u in case someone hits u from behind. It also doesn't stop at the same distance it's set at for the speed distance option. The car also doesn't emergency brake itself when getting super close to the car in front of u. It only gives u warning sounds n shows that on the dash. I've already learned that with my young daughter in the backseat. No not reproduced by dealership Yes looked at by dealership Yes warning sounds n an alert on the dash but no action from the car. My car is brand new!!! …
Air bags
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the crash the front driver side air bag, the driver's side curtain airbag and driver's side lower leg air bags all deployed as intended but the she sustained severe flesh wounds to both lower legs due to the airbags deploying. The contact was transported to the local trauma center and required multiple surgeries and skin grafts due to the injuries sustained from the airbag deployment. A police report was taken at the scene. During the crash the vehicle was destroyed and was later towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but the manufacturer was not yet contacted. …
I was in a very light two-car collision on 08-09-2023. Both cars had little to no damages, just very minute scratches that are very hard to see. But two of the airbags on my KIA Niro (front and knee) deployed suddenly, causing me to black out for a couple of minutes and later have a concussion, and the bottom airbag caused a bruise and consistent knee pain to this day. My car is at a Kia Service facility and has been for the past 3 weeks and we haven't gotten any information from them as to what the problem was. I visited this facility to get some answers and I stated that I think this car has a problem with the airbags, a Kia employee responded with "do not tell that to your insurance". I have called and called to get answers and they say they don't know are are trying to figure out why the airbags deployed. …
2023 Kia Niro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | FWD | 126 / 101 / 113 MPGe | 253 mi |
| 1.6L 4-cyl hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 53 / 54 / 53 | — |
| 1.6L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | 6-speed dual-clutch | FWD | 49 / 47 / 48 | — |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Kia Niro a good car?
Based on 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 Niro rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Niro at the same age. It is one of the Niro years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Kia Niro?
The electrical system — 14 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the driver assistance (7) and air bags (6).
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Niro have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2023 Kia Niro, the most recent from January 17, 2025 (seats). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Niro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2023, 2025 and 2022. See the full Kia Niro years comparison.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Niro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 1,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.