2023 Kia Niro

My 2023 Kia Niro Hybrid EX has experienced multiple warning messages and unresolved concerns after previous repairs. After the first recall repair, I began receiving intermittent warning messages while driving. The messages appeared briefly and disappeared before I could safely document them. After a second repair, the transmission was replaced. Shortly afterward, the vehicle displayed an overheating warning. I returned to the dealership, but they stated they could not find a problem. While traveling out of state, on July 6, 2026, the vehicle displayed warnings indicating that the 12V battery needed to be charged. On July 8, 2026, the vehicle would turn on, but the engine would not start or operate. Multiple attempts to jump-start the vehicle failed, including using a portable jump pack, another vehicle, and assistance from a tow truck driver. The vehicle displayed warnings stating that the 12V battery needed charging, the battery was draining, and that the hybrid system needed to be checked. Because the vehicle could not be operated and I was stranded away from home, I am concerned about the reliability and safety of the vehicle. The vehicle has undergone multiple repairs, including a transmission replacement, but I continue to experience warning messages and a loss of confidence in the vehicle's ability to operate reliably. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for possible safety concerns.

NHTSA ID

11752872

Incident

Jul 8, 2026

There's a problem with the horn in my car. Either the high or low. The problem is intermittent and the horn will fail and it is not available in emergency situations. I brought this to the dealership and made them aware but they refuse to take this seriously and two adequately evaluate the car. They blew the horn and said it was working. It was not working and I said it was intermittent and they said well we could not find any problem. There were no warning lights. Nothing else. The horn is just intermittently failing.

NHTSA ID

11749268

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and pulled to the left unexpectedly. The contact initially contacted the dealer and was informed of the headlamp replacement and general inspection. Additionally, while the contact's husband was driving, the driver-side front tire experienced a blowout near a service station; the technician advised that the tire exhibited steel tread. An independent mechanic attempted a wheel alignment but discovered a rusted, bent tie rod, preventing the service. Following dealer instructions, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the wheels, both hub bearings, tie rods, and brake calipers were replaced. Despite the repairs, the owner refused to reclaim the vehicle due to the recurring mechanical defects. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

NHTSA ID

11748554

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

Mileage

71,000 mi

Car seat lower hip straps frayed on both sides. Had we been in an accident I have no doubt the strap would have ripped. I have 3 personal friends who checked their same Evenflo Revolve 350 car seat to find fraying in the exact same spots. And dozens of posts online with pictures showing the exact issues as well. The integrity of that straps in these seats are obviously compromised for so many people to be having them fray in the exact location. Evenflo is telling us all it's due to "external factors such as a mouse" but it would not all be the same car seat it happens to, in the exact same place on the seat, to people who drive their vehicles daily and have no other wings of rodents in their vehicle or issues with the other car seats installed in the vehicle.Baby/children's car seat safety is SO important and the strength of these straps needs investigated before someone is in a crash and their child's harness rips! Uploading my own personal photos-but I have many screenshots of pictures and posts from others having the same issue that I can provide upon request.

NHTSA ID

11739436

Incident

May 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact constantly depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the residence while depressing the brake pedal to prevent the unintended acceleration. Neither a dealer nor an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

NHTSA ID

11733425

Incident

Apr 23, 2026

Mileage

11,000 mi

I bought my Niro hybrid EX Touring new from the dealership in 2023. The first issue arose when the car shut off completely while driving and was towed to the dealership. Later, I started hearing a squeaking/rubber rubbing sound. The car would make squeaking and creaking noises when turning or going over minor bumps. The "rubber rubbing sound" happened when I was at a full stop, right after removing my foot from the brake, as the car began to move forward. These issues were both reported to the dealership, and they did an inspection. The dealership service center has been able to hear the sounds. Since then, the calliper boots have been replaced multiple times and the full calliper kit once. The strut bearing has also been replaced multiple times. Consistent issues with the car's braking system is a significant safety issue. I have no idea what damage the rest of my car could have sustained, and I have not been able to get an answer for why this is happening. I have also been in contact with the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11716423

Incident

Dec 2, 2024

I am filing a complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Niro and Safety Recall SC332. The recall involves a damaged floor wiring assembly that may prevent proper airbag and seat belt deployment, creating a serious safety risk. I scheduled and brought my vehicle to Cowboy Kia, Conroe on Feb 2,2026 specifically to have this recall repaired, but the dealership did not complete the recall service and returned the vehicle without fixing the issue or providing a clear explanation. This is a manufacturer-issued safety recall and should be addressed promptly at no cost. I am requesting immediate repair and an explanation for the failure to perform the recall work.

NHTSA ID

11715328

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

When attempting to activate the parking brake there is no response from the vehicle. No matter how many times in attempting to activate the parking brake it would not activate. The only way to successfully activate the parking brake was if "auto hold" was on and i turned off the vehicle. i have a safety concern regarding this matter as the vehicle could potentially roll away if the car is unattended. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by the service center as of yet but it will be inspected on 01/14/2026. There are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID

11710359

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN5.0W DTC P17A000 DAIGNOSTIC PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information regarding a potential illuminated Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) accompanied by DTC P17A000 on some 2022-2025MY Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) equipped with AVN5.0Wide head units listed below. This condition occurs when the Global Positioning System (GPS) module within the Audio Video Navigation (AVN) head unit, sends an inaccurate signal to the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU), causing the DTC to set. There are no drivability symptoms associated with this condition.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: AEWP INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT (SC325) - 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 to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Auxiliary Electric Water Pump (AEWP), control harness wiring, and/or engine room junction box for coolant intrusion and/or corrosion on certain 2022-2023MY Kia Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid vehicles listed in the table below. The AEWP in the subject vehicles may crack internally and allow coolant to intrude into the AEWP circuitry. If coolant enters the AEWP circuitry, the Check Engine Light (CEL) may be illuminated with one or more DTCs listed on page 2. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, the Active Air Flap (AAF) warning message can also activate, and coolant may eventually migrate through the wiring harness to the engine room junction block. This may result in a reduction of motive power and may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceeds Federal and California standards. These standards were established to protect the public health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: TIRE MOBILITY KIT INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT/ REPAIR (SA556) - 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 to inspect, and if necessary, replace the Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) sealant can or sealant can cap on certain 2023-2024MY Kia vehicles listed on page 5. Lower ambient temperatures can create a vacuum effect inside the TMK sealant can, causing the sealant can cap to open, resulting in the tire sealant leaking.

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION: EXPANSION (SC338 Flight 102) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) to prevent overcharging of the 12V Lithium battery in certain 2023 MY Niro Hybrid (HEV) vehicles to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BMS S/W LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC P1BB2 (SC338) - 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 to upgrade the Battery Management System ‘BMS’ software logic on certain 2023-2024MY Sportage HEV (NQ5 HEV) vehicles produced from February 15, 2022 to December 15, 2023, and 2023MY Niro HEV (SG2 HEV) vehicles produced from June 21, 2022 through April 25, 2023. Due to a software issue, the Battery Management System (BMS) may inadvertently overcharge the 12V Lithium battery. If the 12V Lithium battery becomes overcharged, the subject vehicles may experience a reduction in motive power accompanied by the ‘Check Hybrid System, Stop Safely’ warning message, Hybrid system warning lamp, Service warning lamp, Charging system warning lamp, and a rapid beeping sound for approximately ten (10) seconds. (Note: This Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign supersedes SC335).