KnownCarProblems2018 Kia Niro Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Niro, most often about the transmission (32% of complaints, typically around 114,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Niro model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2018 Kia Niro problems
Transmission
19 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The hybrid system warning was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer, elgin Kia (909 e…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift out of neutral while shifting the gear shift lever. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and the dtc code: p090b:73 error…
Engine
18 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating abnormally. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the message "engine overheating - request…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved up. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. Eventually, the vehicle shifted into gear and started to move. The contact stated that the check hev…
Electrical
18 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles.
Wiring harness chewed up by rodents 6 weeks after buying car new. Only 1900 miles on car. Car was parked between '01 toyota tacoma and '04 f250 diesel, which have been there since new without problems, as was a '06 vw diesel, and a '12 vw diesel, also parked there since new. The use of soy based insulation on the…
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and failed to start. The battery charge was low. The hev warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that a…
Other or unspecified
11 complaints · 18%Purchased the vehicle with safety tech package which includes aeb (auto emergency braking) and vehicle did not stop even when I applied full brakes to prevent a collision. The main reason I purchased this vehicle was for this safety feature.
Both the right passenger door handle and rear drives side door handle have come off, in both cases a passenger was opening the door to enter the vehicle when the door handle failed and came off. The last incident back door occurred 9/7
Brakes
6 complaints · 10%Purchased the vehicle with safety tech package which includes aeb (auto emergency braking) and vehicle did not stop even when I applied full brakes to prevent a collision. The main reason I purchased this vehicle was for this safety feature.
Car failed to stop twice - almost ran a red light. Brakes depressed and felt no pressure in brake line. Dealership has fixed brake issues with car only being 6 months old in 2018 - same brake issues but now the car is not stopping sometimes.
Speed control
4 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine revved up. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle was slow to respond. Eventually, the vehicle shifted into gear and started to move. The contact stated that the check hev…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: body.
A few month ago, the front passenger door handle fell off when trying to open the door when the car was parked/stationary. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the handle and cover were replaced. Today, 10/22/2018, the right rear passenger door handle popped off when trying to open the door when the car was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Kia Niro recalls
Transmission: actuators/solenoids
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc276.
Full defect summary
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.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the pra and replace either the pra or the main relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 9, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18v-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 kia niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18v-666. The main relay within the power relay assembly (pra) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the pra, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the power relay assembly (pra) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the pra will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began november 23, 2018. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc168.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 kia niro hybrid electric vehicles. The main relay within the power relay assembly (pra) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2018 Kia Niro
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia Niro?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (19 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 2,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Niro have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 31, 2023 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Kia Niro?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Niro model year since 2000, with 60 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.