2018 Kia Niro

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 matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

The vehicle experienced a sudden powertrain failure while driving. A certified Kia dealership diagnostic scan confirmed active Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P17ED (Engine Clutch System) and a physical hydraulic clutch fluid leak around the transmission housing area. These symptoms match the exact criteria of NHTSA Safety Recall 23V534 (Kia Campaign SC276) for the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA). The manufacturer's defective component leaked fluid, causing direct consequential failure of the internal clutch and transmission assembly. Kia is refusing to remedy this safety campaign failure at 100% zero cost to the consumer, violating federal safety recall mandates by attempting to charge 50% of the repair cost ($3,708.29) under the guise of 'goodwill assistance'.

NHTSA ID

11748846

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

I am writing to request assistance regarding a recurring issue with Recall SC276. Approximately two years ago, I had the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) replaced by a dealership as part of this recall. Since then, the vehicle has been driven only 10,000 miles, bringing the total mileage to about 45,000. The vehicle recently broke down, and the dealership confirmed that the replacement HCA has failed. Despite this being the same part addressed by the recall, the dealership quoted $1,700 for the repair, and Kia has declined to cover the cost. I believe Kia should be responsible for this replacement, as the recalled part was intended to provide a long-term solution to a safety issue. I would appreciate any help you can provide in ensuring Kia covers the cost of this repair.

NHTSA ID

11740074

Incident

May 8, 2026

The vehicle just shut down as I exited. The power and gas pressure decreased. Pulled over to see if my hybrid battery was defective or drained. It wasn’t. A notification popped up and said “Hybrid Control System or Low Voltage DC/DC Converter, Contact dealer for service. Finally got it towed to Kia of Valencia the next day and they said it was “Hydraulic Clutch Actuator” and they want charge me $2200 to fix it. But looking up the part, it says there’s a recall for that exact problem.

NHTSA ID

11739377

Incident

May 13, 2026

On April 21, 2026, Go Kia Renton performed an oil change on my 2018 Kia Niro Touring (VIN). The car was in perfect condition just two weeks earlier — North Seattle Transmission did a full service on April 6, 2026 at 283,649 miles with no issues noted. Later that night while driving, the red oil light flashed. I pulled over immediately and called AAA. AAA towed the vehicle from Belltown [XXX] ) at 12:11 AM on April 23 to my house then at 9:14 AM towed it straight to Go Kia Renton. The AAA driver found oil leaking all over his tow truck. The car now has a dead battery and is showing Hybrid Control System / Low Voltage DC/DC Converter and Engine Control System codes. This appears to be a sudden engine seizure caused by oil loss shortly after dealer service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11735577

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2018 Kia Niro hybrid related to the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA), which is currently subject to a recall addressing fire risk. My vehicle has already had the recall remedy performed, which consisted of inspection and installation of a lower-amperage fuse. The dealer confirmed that the actuator is leaking fluid but did not replace it because there was no evidence of PCB contamination, which is the condition required under the recall. However, the vehicle is now experiencing significant drivability issues that create a safety hazard: Intermittent hesitation when accelerating from a stop Failure to properly engage the transmission, especially on inclines Engine revving without corresponding vehicle movement Delayed or inconsistent clutch engagement In one recent instance, the vehicle would not properly engage while attempting to move from a stopped position on an uphill incline, creating a hazardous situation where the vehicle could not reliably move when needed. This condition appears to be caused by loss of hydraulic pressure due to the leaking actuator, even though it has not yet reached the stage of PCB contamination described in the recall. The current recall remedy does not address this failure mode. Instead, it allows a known defective component to remain in service until it reaches a condition that presents a fire risk. In the meantime, the vehicle can experience loss of propulsion under normal driving conditions. I believe this represents a separate safety defect or an incomplete remedy, as loss of propulsion, especially during acceleration from a stop or on an incline, can significantly increase the risk of a crash. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the current recall adequately addresses all safety risks associated with the defective Hydraulic Clutch Actuator, including drivability and loss-of-propulsion conditions that occur prior to PCB contamination.

NHTSA ID

11731040

Incident

Jan 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted to reset the transmission, but the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R). The vehicle was shifted to drive(D) but failed to respond. The vehicle was shifted into park(P). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission fuse and the hydraulic clutch actuator had failed and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11728259

Incident

Feb 7, 2026

Mileage

175,000 mi

Everything is falling off the bottom of this vehicle

NHTSA ID

11718030

Incident

Feb 14, 2026

Ever since the purchase of the car I been bringing this attention to the dealership but they always turn down and avoiding the situation at first electrical issues like turning signals goes in and out window stop rolling up sometimes had to try for hours just rolls up fog light check light headlight and turn signal all together went out in the beginning started to work in and out and now window turn signal front both and one fog light now won't come back and front Air Flap won't operate that's from the few months into the car check light and also in the beginning car transmission always felt rough not gears smoothly change I brought this attention but they always ask change the transmission fluid but it's was a new car felt that but never bothered looking into but over time got worst now it hit you when picking up like gear just stuck and your whole body gets that shock like someone hit you from the back every time and when comes to slow stopping making crying sound. It's like I made the biggest mistake why I decided to buy the new car because I know old cars have problems but this is Brand New I bought shouldn't have problems, and from it's was new always heard the click sound when move from complete stop like go from on red light or from any stop position click hear it from front never worried but was not feeling good why but now all of sudden it's unbearable sound when turning or making u turn loud like anything when acceleration but not in straight drive asked dealership about all the problems I been getting since was a brand new car the answered I got it's now not in the warrenty will cost to check wow what a rip off and when I use to say those problems when was in the warrenty they would say it's not the major issue and yes one time one of the tech specialists I mentioned he you know what he said made me sick we would try something but warrenty is BS it's a piece of *** we never get money easily so this is why they always refuse to take this seriously wow

NHTSA ID

11712850

Incident

May 1, 2019

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or foreign substances while driving. Damage to the cover of the ultrasonic sensor can also lead to damage to the internal circuit. As a result of this external damage, the PDW system may not receive the proper signal from the ultrasonic sensor. In some cases, the system may cause a false alarm, no alert, or phantom warnings by a “Warning Lamp’ to be displayed on the cluster. The ultrasonic sensor membrane film should be always inspected for external damage and if any part replacement should be treated as a general repair, not as a warranty claim repair for this concern. (Please note that this Pitstop only applies to models/trims that are equipped with the ultrasonic sensors.)

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR - ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima Hybrid (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV), 2015MY~ Soul EV (PS EV), 2017MY~ Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV), 2022MY~ EV6 (CV), 2021MY~ Sorento (MQ4 HEV/PHEV), 2023MY~ Sportage (NQ5 HEV/PHEV), and 2023MY~ Niro (SG2 EV/HEV/PHEV) vehicles.