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    GREEN CHOICE

    Kia Niro

    EPA MPG: 49 mpg

    RECALL ALERT:
    There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

    Reliability

    Overall Reliability

    We expect the 2025 Niro will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2023 and 2024 models and the Kia brand score.

    The 2018 Kia Niro has been recalled 3 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
    Most Common Trouble Spots
    Common Trouble Spot
    Common Trouble Spot

    Owner Reported Trouble Spots

    The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2018 Kia Niro owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

    Electrical Accessories

    Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

    What Owners Say

    12V battery

    "Went in for recall for engine wiring harness. Then during this service they claimed the 12V lithum battery went bad. They had no spares. Had to wait 3 months to get a new one. It was not covered under warrantee, could not get a loaner vehicle (I have a full maintenance package on the car). Very disappointing."

    Anonymous, ON (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Keyless entry

    "Have had the keyless entry button on the drivers side replaces twice under warrantee. Just stopped working."

    Anonymous, ON (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Other electrical system problem

    "Auto retracting mirrors on the side stopped retracting. They were replaced under warranty."

    Anonymous, MA (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Paint And Trim

    Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

    What Owners Say

    Loose exterior trim or moldings

    "The rear body spoiler paint is oxidizing extremely fast"

    Anonymous, CA (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling)

    "Top coat peeling/flaking off. Kia refused warranty coverage!"

    Anonymous, FL (2018 Kia Niro Touring 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    "paint on rear of car is really faded"

    Anonymous, MI (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Exhaust

    Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Catalytic converter

    "The engine light came on about 3 years into my ownership. I had the light on 2 days, and then it turned off. This happened all the time so I brought it to the dealer and the code said to replace the catalytic converter. But I didn't right then. My usual mechanic thought it was the sensor and said it the light goes off it isn't a real problem. When in service at the dealer for another problem they said again I had to replace it and I don't have 5000 to do that. I asked if it would pass a smog test they thought yes. I will probably try to sell the car and get another."

    Anonymous, CA (2018 Kia Niro 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    In-car Electronics

    Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

    What Owners Say

    Display screen freezes up

    "The screen just went black"

    Anonymous, CA (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Transmission Major

    Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

    What Owners Say

    Clutch replacement

    "For a few days the car was not running correctly. I thought it was the gas pedal as I put on the gas and sometimes nothing happened and sometimes it surged. 3 days into the problems the car just stopped. It turned out to be the clutch and required a huge expensive total clutch replacemnt"

    Anonymous, CA (2018 Kia Niro 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Noises And Leaks

    Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Squeaks or rattles

    "We had a rattle in the rear for several months. I finally figured out that it was coming from the spoiler. I was able to tighten two screws holding on the spoiler and the rattle went away."

    Anonymous, AZ (2018 Kia Niro Touring 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Climate System

    AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

    What Owners Say

    Other climate system problem

    "I live in the north east and dont need air-conditioning until around April or May. He was working fine last summer, and then when I went to turn it on this summer, it wouldnt allow cold air"

    Anonymous, MA (2018 Kia Niro EX 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Fuel System/Emissions

    Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

    What Owners Say

    Emission control devices (includes EGR)

    "There was an intermittent problem with one of the emission sensors. It took 3 trips to the dealer for them to find and repair it."

    Anonymous, AZ (2018 Kia Niro Touring 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Body Hardware

    Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

    What Owners Say

    Mirrors

    "Both side mirrors stopped folding/adjusting properly"

    Anonymous, FL (2018 Kia Niro Touring 1.6-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Steering And Suspension

    Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

    Drive System

    Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

    Brakes

    Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

    Engine Major

    Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

    Engine Electrical

    Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

    Engine Minor

    Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

    Transmission Minor

    Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

    Engine Cooling

    Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

    2018 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

    This Car
    vs. Similar Cars

    Kia vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

    Reliability History
    * Redesign year
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    Overall Reliability Verdict

    NA
    NA
    NA

    POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
    Powertrain
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Electric Motor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    EV Battery
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Major
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Minor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Cooling
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Engine Electrical
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Transmission Major
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Transmission Minor
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Drive System
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Fuel System/Emissions
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Exhaust
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Steering and Suspension
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Brakes
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Climate System
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Build Quality
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Electrical Accessories
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Body Hardware
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Paint/Trim
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Noises/Leaks
    NA
    NA
    NA
    In-car Electronics
    NA
    NA
    NA
    Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
    Recalls
    PROVIDED BY
    POWER TRAIN
    Jul 31, 2023
    A fire increases the risk of injury.
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 23V534000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 121411
    HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
    Nov 11, 2022
    Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 22V836000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 27030
    HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
    Sep 25, 2018
    The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V666000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 27030
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