Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Kia Niro problems

Owners filed 63 complaints about the 2022 Kia Niro with NHTSA between Sep 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (20).

Complaints
63
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system20
  2. Power train12
  3. Engine11
  4. Service brakes8
  5. Fuel/propulsion system6
  6. Air bags4
  7. Vehicle speed control4
  8. Forward collision avoidance4
  9. Visibility/wiper3
  10. Seat belts2
  11. Lane departure2
  12. Exterior lighting2
  13. Parking brake1
  14. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20211
202213
202311
20249
202513
202616

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

20 reports
“On XXX, After I attempted to plug my car into my home charging outlet at 240V, less than 20 minutes later I received an alert that my battery was at 0%. After unplugging the car, waiting for 30 minutes and plugging it back into the out, my car was unable to see the charging outlet or the 40A cable plugged into the port. Unplugged car again and after talking to remote mechanic, came to decision to take car to AAA repair shop for troubleshooting. Once at the AAA repair shop in [XXX], was advised to take my car to a Kia dealership, as a module was nonfunctional. Brought car to Beyer Kia in [XXX], who held onto my car for two months before making a diagnosis that my car was struck by lightning via a Field Technical Engineer, though the DTC codes stated otherwise: C180287, C161487, C16b487, C161487, C161487, C182D00. All codes noted are internal Controller Area Network Bus Communication Timeouts between internal modules, not power surge or electrical strike. C161487 - registered three times: Internal network timed out because VCU abruptly went offline or lost power. With it registering 3 times confirms ongoing hardware/power supply struggle inside car's computers,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11773180

Power train

12 reports1 related recall
“I purchased this used 2022 Kia Niro EV on August 19, 2023, with approximately 3,042 miles. On December 22, 2023, at 24,086 miles, a Kia of Valencia service record documented a kicking/knocking sensation when releasing the brake. The cause was not identified. On August 22, 2024, another service record documented a rear seat belt retraction concern. I cannot confirm whether these earlier problems share the same cause as the later motor issue. On March 31, 2026, at approximately 139,071 miles, Kia of Valencia confirmed a rattling noise from the gear driver motor and recommended replacement. The estimated repair cost was approximately $4,800. I paid a $250 diagnostic fee but could not afford the repair. I contacted Kia America to request goodwill assistance, but the motor was not replaced. On September 9, 2026, while driving on a freeway in heavy traffic, the vehicle repeatedly stopped and moved again, accompanied by extremely loud knocking, rattling, and banging. The vehicle shook, and no warning lights or messages appeared beforehand. I carefully exited the freeway and stopped the vehicle. After bringing it home, I noticed liquid underneath, but could not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769211

Engine

11 reports1 crash
“2022 Kia Niro EX Premium Hybrid was sold as Kia Certified Pre-Owned on August 12 2026 with an active check engine light present at time of purchase. Dealer Calavan Kia West in Lithia Springs GA represented the vehicle as passing a 165-point CPO inspection. Dealer attributed the light to a gas cap issue and cleared the code to complete the sale. Six days later approximately August 18 2026 the check engine light returned. Dealer attempted one repair which failed. As of August 25 2026 the defect remains active and undiagnosed. On a hybrid vehicle an undiagnosed engine or propulsion system fault represents a potential safety concern. The CPO certification process failed to identify this defect prior to sale.””
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11759306

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -I have received a "Check Brake Light" warning several times now, even after replacing the bulbs. I have replaced them twice now in the past 6 months and the issue persists. I believe it to be a faulty sensor or something similar. Yes, it is available to inspect upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I do not know if my brake light is functioning properly as this warning indicator comes on intermittently even though the light has been replaced and even when it seems there is nothing wrong with the light. It is very stressful. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I took my car to the dealership in November 2025 and they couldn't find any issue. The indicator light did not come on at the dealership but came on again later in the week. They even replaced both brake lights hoping that would help. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The dealership service center Were there any warning lamps, messages or other…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2025Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11703967

Fuel/propulsion system

6 reports
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11750957

Air bags

4 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at 5 MPH, the vehicle was T-boned on the passenger's side by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driving at high speed. Due to the impact, the contact's head struck the dashboard. The other vehicle fled the scene of the crash. The airbag deployed on the passenger side but did not deploy on the driver's side. No warning light illuminated. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where the contact was informed that the vehicle would be destroyed. The contact sustained an eye and face injury, body aches, and a detached ear. Medical attention was received at the hospital, where the contact was stabilized and referred to the Primary Care Physician for future care. The contact called both an unknown local dealer and an independent mechanic, but there was no response. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact called the auto finance company and was referred to the insurance company. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11743136
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.