2018 KIA NIRO Complaints and Recall Information
The 2018 KIA NIRO has 5 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to electrical wiring and braking systems. Problems include repeated clutch actuator failure, persistent check engine lights, malfunctioning door open sensors, and regenerative brake warnings. Safety concerns also arise from braking performance failures resulting in accidents.
Common Issues
- Clutch actuator failure. A previously replaced hydraulic clutch actuator failed again after a fuse change during inspection, causing operational problems within months.
- Electrical wiring defects. Wiring issues trigger check engine lights and cause door open sensors to remain active. Repairs can be costly despite technical bulletins addressing the problems.
- Regenerative brake warning. Alerts to "check regenerative brakes" appear on dashboards. Braking distances increase, requiring unusually early braking which can be unsafe in traffic conditions.
- Braking system failure. Sudden total loss of braking power reported, with the brake pedal going to the floor and the vehicle failing to slow down, leading to accidents and airbag deployment.
Five recalls affect several systems including the powertrain, hybrid propulsion system, and hydraulic clutch actuator. These recalls primarily involve risk of fire due to electrical or fluid leakage faults in major components.
Recalls
- Hydraulic clutch actuator. (NHTSA Recall 23V534000) 121,411 vehicles affected. Fluid leakage inside the hydraulic clutch actuator may cause an engine compartment fire. Dealers will inspect and replace the actuator or fuse as needed free of charge. Owner notification started December 29, 2023. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory included.
- Power Relay Assembly (Main Relay). (NHTSA Recall 22V836000) 27,030 vehicles affected. Inadequate electrical connections cause overheating under rear seats, creating a fire risk. Dealers will inspect and replace faulty parts free of charge. Notification began January 9, 2023. This recall supersedes 18V666000 and requires completion of the new remedy if prior recall repairs occurred.
- Power Relay Assembly (Main Relay). (NHTSA Recall 18V666000) 27,030 vehicles affected. Electrical resistance in the main relay can overheat rear seats and increase fire risk. Dealers inspect and replace components free of charge. Recall started November 23, 2018. No "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" advisory included.
Owners with recurring repair issues or unresolved safety defects related to brakes or electrical systems may have rights under state lemon laws. Consulting a consumer protection attorney might assist in determining available options.
2018 KIA NIRO Summary
2018
Model Year
5
Total Complaints
3
Total Recalls
175471
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2018 KIA NIRO
121411 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
2018 KIA NIRO
27030 vehicles affected
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Risk: Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
2018 KIA NIRO
27030 vehicles affected
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Risk: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
Complaints
2018 KIA NIRO
ID: 2086763SERVICE BRAKES
I'm 59 years old never have an accident or had to slam breaks on the guy in front of me slammed his breaks on so I did the same time the brake pedal was to the floor the car didn't even slowed down and not even skid marks hit him then air bags deployed the car was totaled no one got hurt thank God I do t know if any other kia cars had this problem I got real lucky
2018 KIA NIRO
ID: 2084536SERVICE BRAKES
An alert to "check regenerative brakes" popped up on the dashboard screen. My younger sister who is borrowing our car, told me it now takes her much longer to come to a stop when braking. She's having to brake really early to stop on time but traffic and animals will not always allow for that. From what I am reading online, this is a common issue due to faulty 12v battery or a loose ground from said battery. The only way to fully engaged the conventional brakes (without the regenerative brakes) is to switch the car into neutral and then brake. This is a major safety issue that Kia should address. Maybe they need to address the battery issue, but they definitely should address the fact that you have to shift into neutral to brake properly when the regenerative brakes arent working right. Seems like a common sense plan to have it default to conventional brakes when the others are having issues or at least provide a way to turn off regenerative brakes.
2018 KIA NIRO
ID: 2059136ENGINE
Known issues with wiring cause check engine light to come on and also now the door open sensors to stay on. Just paid $800 for a known issue to the wiring that a Kia technical bulletin wss issued for, however the cost was left to the customer.
2018 KIA NIRO
ID: 2059135ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Known issues with wiring cause check engine light to come on and also now the door open sensors to stay on. Just paid $800 for a known issue to the wiring that a Kia technical bulletin wss issued for, however the cost was left to the customer.
2018 KIA NIRO
ID: 2054125ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Hydraulic Clutch Actuator recall was previously done and only a fuse was changed as the inspection only determined the actuator itself did not have an active code. 4 months has gone by and now the actuator has now failed.