2018 Kia Niro Phev

Year/Make/Model: 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid Mileage at time of incident: approximately 69,000 Component: Hybrid Propulsion System / Powertrain My 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid has experienced five recurring "Hybrid System Failure — Turn Off Engine" errors occurring without warning while the vehicle was being operated. Each occurrence rendered the gas engine ineffective in moving the vehicle, creating an immediate safety hazard. The driver was forced to quickly navigate to safety each time. The vehicle has been brought to the dealership four times for this issue — February 25, May 4, May 15, and May 30, 2025. On May 30 the dealer performed a repair they stated would resolve the problem. The vehicle was returned the same day. On May 31, one day later, the error occurred again. The defect remains unresolved after four service visits. Out-of-pocket towing and rental car costs have been incurred each time. I believe this defect is related to the hydraulic clutch actuator issue covered under Kia recall SC276 and the active class action lawsuit (FeganScott v. Kia/Hyundai). The recall repair has not resolved the problem.

In July 2023, Kia identified a defect that can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving; namely that the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator may become contaminated with fluid and lead to an electrical short circuit. To date, there is still no remedy available. I am filing this complaint for your assistance in ensuring the company provides a remedy within a reasonable time.

2018 KIA NIRO PLUG-IN HYBRID, 16,235MI. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN 5 TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF OVER 30 DAYS IN SHOP. TRANSMISSION WILL DO A VERY HARD DOWNSHIFT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STOPPING. MAKES VEHICLE DIP HARD..NOTICEABLE ON DASH CAM VIDEO. ON HARDER ACCELERATION, POWER TRAIN HAS TROUBLE DECIDING WHAT TO DO AND OFTEN THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DELAY IN ACCELERATION. FEELS SORT OF LIKE IT IS SLIPPING, BUT IS A DELAY IN POWERING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR FULLY AND STARTING THE GAS MOTOR.THIS HAS CAUSED A COUPLE CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC EXPECTING THE CAR TO REACT APPROPRIATELY. SOME ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR, BLED SYSTEM AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. THIS FIXED A SQUEAK NOISE IN POWER TRAIN BUT NOT THE HARSH/ERRATIC OPERATIONS. AS FOR THE BRAKES, RECENTLY, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE WITH MORE THAN LIGHT PRESSURE CAUSES A RUBBERY GROAN SOUND FROM UNDER DRIVER'S DASH. THIS HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR SITTING FOR SOME TIME, LESS AFTER IT HAS WARMED UP. DURING THESE EPISODES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TAKE MORE EFFORT TO PUSH AND BRAKE ENGAGEMENT IS DELAYED. THE NOISE WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE TO START CAR OR WHEN DRIVING. DEALER HAS BEEN DISMISSIVE ABOUT THE ISSUES. WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD GET A 'FLIGHT RECORDER' TO HELP THEM DOCUMENT THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES AND RECORD VEHICLE DATA FROM THE COMPUTERS. TODAY WE WERE TOLD WE WILL NOT BE GETTING IT AND TO COME PICK UP THE CAR. KIA CORPORATE IN IRVINE, CA HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND A CASE HAS BEEN OPENED. WE ARE WAITING ON A RESPONSE NOW.