2017 Kia Niro

On XXX, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a friend and I were driving on XXX near [XXX], when I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. As I pulled over to the side of the road, a warning light appeared on the dashboard. Once stopped, I saw flames coming from the engine compartment. We immediately got out of the car, retrieved our dogs from the back seat, and ran away from the burning car. Another motorist who had witnessed the flames pulled over behind us. Because our cell phones were still inside the car, we used his phone to call [XXX]. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Fire Department responded to the scene. The car was completely destroyed by the fire and was declared a total loss. We were unable to retrieve anything from the car. There was no collision with another car or object. The car is now located at [XXX]. Telephone [XXX]. On XXX KIA Ourisman of [XXX] had installed a rebuilt engine, as according to them, the original engine had “thrown a rod.” An insurance claim has been filed with GEICO. Complaints have been filed with KIA of [XXX] and [XXX] KIA of [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2017 Kia Niro has developed a serious hybrid system failure that causes the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly while driving. For about a month, the car would only start using the “12V Battery Reset” button. Now it starts, but after driving a short distance, the vehicle loses power and shuts off without warning. The only way to restart it is by pressing the reset button again. The AC and accessories continue to run, and the high‑voltage battery appears to charge normally, but the car cannot maintain 12V power under load. This is consistent with a DC‑DC converter or 12V subsystem failure, which is a known issue in early Kia Niro hybrids. This sudden shutdown creates a dangerous situation, especially in traffic. I am reporting this as a safety defect due to the unexpected loss of motive power. There is no recall for this issue, but many owners have reported similar failures.

When I was driving, a propulsion system warning went off. Then a malfunction in the vehicle’s powertrain/propulsion system lit up on the GPS screen. Shortly afterward, the engine began smoking, and a loud popping sound occurred simultaneously. The vehicle then experienced a sudden loss of propulsion, requiring me to pull over immediately to avoid a hazardous situation. An authorized Kia dealer subsequently diagnosed a blown head gasket with internal coolant intrusion, confirming an internal powertrain failure consistent with propulsion system malfunction, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was inspected in October and the loss-of-propulsion failure occurred in December.

I had some lurching when trying to accelerate for a month before the check engine and HEV warning beeping came on. Kia Niro EGR (Gas Recirculated Cooler) failed at 105K miles. It leaked on to the engine causing it to overheat. My children and I got smoked out and my child had an asthma attack from this issue. We were also stressed, thinking the engine would catch fire. Kia says there are no recalls for my 2017, yet the 2023 has a recall on this exact item. I would like this complaint to be filed due to a part failing 5K miles after a warrenty. The problem was diagnosed by the Kia Dealer. Quote is $1875.

The Exhaust heat recovery system has a valve that can malfunction and allows coolant to leak into the exhaust and ignite it into the atmosphere. It can cause misfires in the engine, there are technical service bulletins (TSB 212 and Pitstop Tech bulletin PS709 that are attached to this report) that have more information on this issue. This can drain the coolant from the system and cause engine overheating issues. Some shops may misdiagnose it as a head gasket problem. This is a common problem for Kia Niro's 2017-2022. A new heat exchanger as of now costs $3000 brand new from the OEM and Kia is very strict about how they apply their warranty to any kind of part. Please can you help remedy this issue for Niro owners.

My car slowed, smelled hot, and then transmission overheat light came on approximately 130 miles from my home. I had it towed to nearest Kia service due to my warranty, Lehighton Kia dealer by AAA (Kia roadside wanted $293). Dealer claimed it was Clutch Actuator (said nothing about recall) and claim to be attempting to confirm warranty with Zurich for days with no success, I had no issue calling Zurich to confirm warranty would cover it. They said parts were unavailable in US, some in Korea, no guarantee where they would be distributed to and could not be ordered yet, so timeline of at least a month that I would be without a car. They could not offer me a loaner or rental. Last night I received Recall notice SC276 for the exact issue I am dealing with. In 4 calls to Lehighton Kia this recall was never mentioned. I bought my car in March with 31,000 with the best extended warranty I could buy to protect myself as a recent widow with a daughter in college. My car now has 52,000 and is not usable indefinitely, I cannot afford a rental and I work 35 miles away and feel that the Lehighton Kia has been less than helpful in dealing with this issue.

Hybrid System Failure due to overheating Overheating due to coolant leak into resorvoir My car started having white smoke come from exhaust during driving Took to the repair shop, repaired the coolant reservoir next day, same issue took back to the service tech stated they couldn't find the leak, but the reservoir was empty. Took the car for a second opinion, the service people had my car all day, after picking up, was told by the repairman that it was the engine and KIA is aware of it. Stated he is unable to help and I should take the car to a KIA dealer For weeks the car was still blowing smoke Took the car to KIA of Stamford Had the car for a few hours, tech said coolant leak and I will need to replace the part which is 3000, advised there is a bypass method on the internet for NIRO owners with the same issue online, and I was told they will not do the bypass due to emission laws. Advised my car should be covered under Emissions warranty, and was told it does not cover the part. Advised the service man this should be covered under my 100,000 warranty with KIA, which is what I was sold, and was told this is not the case, and I wasn't covered. Advised KIA I have an extended warranty with WIZ autos where i purchased the car. Spoke to the warranty department and was told it wasn't covered under their warranty either. May 2023 While driving I saw white smoke, my car began to overheat and I tried to pull over, when I pulled over the car would not drive. HYBRID System Malfunction The car has been with Wiz autos and they are now telling me the repairs will cost $5,800 There are many people online suffering because of this defect. There are reports online that once fixed, the issue returns months later. Wiz autos is asking me to pay 6000 for a repair and 3 month warranty on the part. Issue: Coolant leak is causing issues that affect the safety of drivers, as well as destroys their vehicles and KIA Motors has been the worst to work with.

- my car started releasing white smoke - i took it to repair shop, stated it was fixed, white smoke continued -car started overheating -Took it to KIA dealership and was told i was responsible for fuel leaking into engine, was told my car was not covered under warranty, I also have an extended warranty at the dealership which they wouldn't honor stating it was not covered -Recently while driving the car flashed Hybrid system Failure and shut off -I was unable to move the car -I had the car towed to the original dealer (wiz autos) and it has been there since May 2023, it is now 4 months and the car still does not work -Wiz autos informed me the car had a "lock on it" and will need to be released by KIA its been 4 months with no answers from KIA, I have been having an issue with the coolant leaking into the engine since 11/22 and although this is a common problem in these cars(manufacturers defect) KIA will not fix, or replace. I believe the coolant leaking into the engine, is causing the cars to malfunction**** Please take a look at these forums: [XXX] [XXX] Although my car is not listed in this lawsuit by KIA, i believe more cars are affected: A federal court has granted final approval of a class action lawsuit known as In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation , No. 8:17‑cv‑00838‑JLS‑JDE and Flaherty v. Hyundai Motor Company, et al. , No. 18‑cv‑02223 (C.D. Cal.) allege that 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Optima, 2012–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sorento, and 2011–2018 and certain 2019 Kia Sportage vehicles suffer from a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and engine fire, that engine seizure or stalling can be dangerous if experienced, and that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle’s warranty. Neither KMC nor KUS have been found liable for any of the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Few days ago, the check engine light turned on in the dashboard of the Kia Niro 2017 The car was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnostic. The dealership informed that the "Fuel air filter kit & NVLD" needed to be changed at the expenses of the owner. The same issue was described in the "Kia technical service bulletin ... SA395" in the NHTSA website. This bulletin explains that the dealership has to repair this issue under warranty, even if the warranty is expired. The dealership said that this car VIN number is not covered by this bulletin; however, the issue is exactly the same as described in the mentioned document. The car mileage is under 54,000 miles. I would appreciate if NHTSA reviews the list of VIN numbers in order to cover all the cars that present this problem.

UNKNOWN. Second instance of car not working while driving; this time is was on a highway. Both times "Check Hybrid System" warning comes on. Previously the dealer had to replace entire battery (covered under warranty at the time). This apparently common and may have to do with some fuse. I believe the vehicle shows the battery as completely empty now. I also think my particular Kia Niro should be included in campaign 18V257000. My car is the correct year make and model and I believe something is leaking which could have also caused my battery to fail while driving.