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2017 Kia Niro Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 19

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
19
2017
Compare all Niro Hybrid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
4Engine
3Power Train
3Service Brakes
3Structure
3
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
3Exterior Lighting
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Hybrid Propulsion System
1Seats
1Steering
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 19 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

3 reports
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44,427 miles · Jun 27, 2019
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 KIA NIRO ON REGULAR ROADS, IT HAD A DRAMATIC DOWN SHIFT IN FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP. CONTINUED FOUR MORE STOPS WHEN APPROACHING A HILL, THE SPORT MODE DID NOT WORK AND BARELY MADE IT UP HILL, NO CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER LIGHTS. SHOP COULDN'T RECREATE PROBLEM. THE RECALIBRATED THE TRANSMISSION. DROVE FINE 1 DAY. …

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 KIA NIRO ON REGULAR ROADS, IT HAD A DRAMATIC DOWN SHIFT IN FIRST GEAR FROM A STOP. CONTINUED FOUR MORE STOPS WHEN APPROACHING A HILL, THE SPORT MODE DID NOT WORK AND BARELY MADE IT UP HILL, NO CHECK ENGINE OR OTHER LIGHTS. SHOP COULDN'T RECREATE PROBLEM. THE RECALIBRATED THE TRANSMISSION. DROVE FINE 1 DAY. 3/4 OF MY WAY ON 200 MILE TRIP ON HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL THE HEV LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE AND BLINKING GREEN CAR CAME ON. DEALER REPLACED THE HYBRID SYSTEM FUSE. 5 DAYS LATER ON 74 MILE TRIPP'S HIGHWAY ENGINE, (!) AND TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON, LOST POWER AND BARELY MADE IT UP A HILL. OH AND THE HOOD POPPED OPEN, HELD BY LATCH WHILE DOING 65 ON HIGHWAY . NOW IT SITS AT THE DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI #11223054

4 miles · Oct 8, 2018
Power Train

THE ACCELERATION RAPIDLY FLUCTUATES AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS VIBRATING.

NHTSA ODI #11139106

1 miles · May 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I HAD THIS CAR 2 MONTHS WHEN I REALIZED I AM NOT GETTING MPG AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING OFF. MPG ON HIGHWAY IS ABOUT 35 MPG AND ABOUT 40 IN STREET. ABOUT TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I AM ABOUT SLOWING DOWN I HEAR NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND SOME TIMES I FEEL SHAKE, AND ALSO FEW TIMES VERY HARD KICK. I HAVE BROUGHT T…

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I HAD THIS CAR 2 MONTHS WHEN I REALIZED I AM NOT GETTING MPG AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING OFF. MPG ON HIGHWAY IS ABOUT 35 MPG AND ABOUT 40 IN STREET. ABOUT TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME I AM ABOUT SLOWING DOWN I HEAR NOISE FROM UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND SOME TIMES I FEEL SHAKE, AND ALSO FEW TIMES VERY HARD KICK. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE WITH SERVICE AT CARSON, AND GLENDALE KIA AND BOTH SERVICE REP GAVE ME SAME ANSWER ABOUT THIS CLUTCH IS COMPUTER AND IT IS NORMAL IF JERKS. AND ALSO ONCE I ASKED SERVICE TECH TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HE SAID SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI #11093810

Official recalls

1

17V159000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

Mar 10, 2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Niro vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loss of power steering assist would require higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS motor, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC145.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.