2022 Kia Niro EV Electrical Problems

Component or system that failed: High-Voltage Electrical System / High-Voltage Battery Safety Plug Assembly (specifically covered under Recall SC314 / NHTSA Campaign 24V-358). It is NOT wear and tear as falsely claimed by the dealer. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request at the owner's residence. How safety was put at risk: The vehicle triggers an active "Check EV System" master warning while driving, creating a severe risk of sudden loss of motive power (stalling) on public roads. The high-voltage charging system is also completely disabled, leaving an elderly driver stranded without transportation. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer?: Yes. Rick Case Kia (Duluth, GA) inspected the vehicle from July 20–22, 2026. Instead of resolving the recall defect at $0.00, they falsely mischaracterized the electrical failure as "wear and tear / customer declined repair" and demanded $1,617 out-of-pocket before releasing the unsafe vehicle. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by others?: Inspected by [XXX] Case Kia service department. Opened active corporate case with Kia America (Case #XXX). Independent mechanics have confirmed this is not simple “wear and tear”, but deeper electrical issues that were touched during the recall. Warning lamps, messages, or symptoms: "Check EV System" master warning light and total failure of the high-voltage charging port. Symptoms first appeared shortly after initial Recall SC314 service was performed on June 15, 2026, and worsened prior to returning the car on XXX. Kia claims to have completed Recall SC314 on June 15, 2026. However, the recall work directly triggered immediate secondary failures in the high-voltage charging system. The dealership is now attempting to evade liability for recall-induced damage by labeling it 'wear and tear' and demanding $1,617 to fix a failure caused by their own recall service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11752715

Incident

Jun 15, 2026

COMPONENT/SYSTEM: The 12-volt auxiliary battery system, the interior fuse box (Total Integrated Power Module) containing an auto-cutoff relay, and the high voltage battery system. All components are available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: The vehicle has lost power and died while being driven, and has left occupants stranded on multiple occasions. A sudden loss of motive power in traffic creates a serious risk of collision to occupants and to other motorists. The vehicle has failed to start dozens of times. FAILURE DESCRIPTION: The 12-volt battery in my 2022 Kia Niro EV has repeatedly discharged, leaving the vehicle dead and unable to start. ~Six 12V batteries have been installed between January 2025 and February 2026, between 60,431 and 77,130 miles. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. The condition has been reproduced and documented by the dealer across five separate repair orders. On 1/21/2025 at 60,431 miles, the technician found the 12V battery completely dead after sitting, jump-started the vehicle, and reported no abnormal draw on the electrical system. On 11/05/2025 at 74,355 miles the vehicle again required a jump start to be brought into the shop; the battery was replaced, and the technician reported the vehicle was operating as designed. On 1/22/2026 at 77,124 miles, a technician performed a parasitic draw test and measured 0.185 amps, exceeding the specification of below 50 milliamps by approximately 3.7 times. The technician documented that the auto-cutoff relay was remaining closed, continuously supplying current to 21 modules, and that the interior fuse box required replacement at a quoted cost of $2,048.48. This defect was present during the two prior visits but was not identified. On 2/13/2026 at 77,130 miles, the vehicle would not start when we came to pick up the car. The shop had to provide a loaner, and then another battery was installed, and the TIPM was replaced.

NHTSA ID

11750957

Incident

Jan 19, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered limp mode and loss automotive power while the vehicle was still at full battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11737434

Incident

Apr 14, 2026

Mileage

36,020 mi

I wanted to go to the store and when I pressed the Start button I got the message: Stop car and check regenerative brakes. Soon after the lights dimmed and the message showed up that key fob was not detected even though it was in my hand. It then no longer took a charge and is completely dark. I checked the internet, and it sounds like it is the 12V battery and is a known issue that is not yet at recall level.

NHTSA ID

11676899

Incident

Jul 28, 2025

I have had this vehicle for 13 months and have taken it to the shop 4 times for the same reason. The 12v dies and my car has to be Jumpstarted in order for me to use the vehicle. Dealer usually blames the 12v at the beginning of the appointments before ultimately telling me there is nothing wrong with the 12v and that they are unable to replicate the problem. They rarely go beyond preforming a drain test, despite me telling them that there is no drain. I've been stranded late at night because of this issue, and now keep a portable jumpstarter in my vehicle at all times.

NHTSA ID

11674004

Incident

May 6, 2025

Car has broken down, not started, battery dead when fully charged MULTIPLE TIMES. It has been in the Kia service department since March 2024 (9 months) and they can’t figure out where the parasitic drain is from. This is the third time this year getting towed to the Kia dealership with no resolution. No warning lights / labels prior to failure. Danger by leaving me stranded 3+ times this year with need for triple A.

NHTSA ID

11630675

Incident

Apr 28, 2024

I received a recall notice for my 2022 Kia Niro EV regarding the safety plugs of the high-voltage battery. I have now scheduled three different appointments with Kia of Lincolnwood to perform this recall, and each time I have been turned away with a different excuse (lack of part, lack of tools, performing recall will take too many hours). The last time I asked to speak with the service manager, who assured me he would take care of this and I would be able to come in on Friday 10/11. Given how many times I've been turned away, I called the day before to confirm, and the manager said he would call me back and never did. Repeated attempts to contact him or the dealership that day went unanswered. I would like help getting this dealership to perform the recall. Given the risk of fire or crash, I am not comfortable driving this vehicle or charging it. I am attaching copies of both the recall and the last work order I was given, where it shows once again I was asked to come back another day.

NHTSA ID

11619465

Incident

Oct 11, 2024

In re: Manufacturer Recall Number SC314, NHTSA Recall Number 24V358 The Kia dealership (Aloha Kia Leeward, Waipahu, Hawai‘i) is imposing an unreasonable delay for this safety recall. Dealer was contacted in mid-July to schedule recall service. Dealer said it had to order the part. After not hearing from the dealer for two weeks, dealer was contacted on August 2 and recall service was scheduled for August 27 (claiming that was the first available appt.) Dealer kept the vehicle for 5 hours that day, then said the service could not be performed. Dealer said it would contact me to reschedule. After leaving messages and not hearing back from dealer, I went in person on 9-4-24. Dealer could not schedule recall service until October 7. Because this is a recall for safety issues, this repeated delay is unacceptable. I wish to put this complaint in the record regarding the disregard for vehicle safety by Aloha Kia Leeward of Waipahu, Hawai‘i. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11612885

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

Started 2-3 months ago and is progressively getting worse. Battery drop from charged down to 2% randomly. Battery would drop 1% every 3 seconds. During highway drive it would cancel out cruise control and/or limited power down to 30mph. Which almost caused accident for the sudden loss of power. Brought to dealer and found no issues, waiting for next appointment in 2 weeks (next opening) to bring in for second look. Currently renting a vehicle since it is life threatening to just have no power in range and acceleration.

NHTSA ID

11559245

Incident

Dec 4, 2023

I have now had 8 instances of the Low Power warning coming on while driving, which reduces available power, and when coming to a stop, car cannot go forward. This has happened at highway speeds as well as city street speeds. This happened 4 times on a 50 mile drive today, creating a very dangerous road situation. I now feel the car is unsafe to drive, as an accident is waiting to happen. I have contacted the dealership where car was purchased and am waiting to hear back from them.

NHTSA ID

11545438

Incident

Sep 19, 2023

2022 Kia Niro EV loses main battery power causing the vehicle to not be able to maintain speed. This has happened at varying speeds including highway speeds. The vehicle showes "limited power" warning on the dash along with "check electrical system" warnings. The OBDii system does not record these warnings and do not show up when taken to service center. The service center can not make repairs as they are not able to replicate the issue.

NHTSA ID

11540377

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

The vehicle has failed to start on 3 occasions and needed to be jumped. When towed to the dealership they’ve been unable to find any issues.

NHTSA ID

11514336

Incident

Mar 27, 2023