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2020 Kia Niro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Niro do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 34.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 38 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

38 reports
62,000 miles · Nov 5, 2024
Back Over Prevention

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the screen displayed a black image. In addition, the contact stated that the back over prevention system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact de…

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated while reversing, the back over prevention camera failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the screen displayed a black image. In addition, the contact stated that the back over prevention system was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact declined the diagnostic test because of the cost. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #11623718

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2024
Air BagsForward Collision AvoidanceCrashInjury

Hi my name is [XXX] I had an accident on a red light, I was on a highway took a ramp for the exit the car who was ahead of me like 30 feet make a right turn and as next on turn I look on my left side then when I turn on the right the car ahead of me stop again so I heat with the right corner of my bumper to the left rear corne…

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Hi my name is [XXX] I had an accident on a red light, I was on a highway took a ramp for the exit the car who was ahead of me like 30 feet make a right turn and as next on turn I look on my left side then when I turn on the right the car ahead of me stop again so I heat with the right corner of my bumper to the left rear corner of her bumper, both airbags deployed but the one on the bottom cut my leg, because the sewing part and threads were outside, I don't know if that is the way is supposed to be installed, because the airbag on the steering wheel doesn't have the sewing part outside. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11619612

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue an…

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11608553

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2024
Unknown Or Other

My key fob works perfectly fine. I came out from work and my car was dead, I pressed my key fob to unlock and nothing happened. I tried the key attached to the key fob and it’s strange because it doesn’t even fit to open the door. It was so hot outside because I’m in Texas and when I called KIA roadside assistance an hour passed…

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My key fob works perfectly fine. I came out from work and my car was dead, I pressed my key fob to unlock and nothing happened. I tried the key attached to the key fob and it’s strange because it doesn’t even fit to open the door. It was so hot outside because I’m in Texas and when I called KIA roadside assistance an hour passed by and they still hadn’t arrived. I could’ve had a heat injury, but I was able to hide under a tree for some shade. This is the second time my car just dies and doesn’t turn on without having to get help from roadside assistance. I took it to the dealership and they did a diagnostic on my car. They said nothing is wrong with it. This is crazy, it’s making KIA look bad. I attached the service copy of the diagnostic test. They didn’t have extra vehicles to rent so I had to take Lyft to work. They were kind enough to drop me off home, but I still had to pay to get to work.

NHTSA ODI #11597580

27,500 miles · Mar 25, 2024
Power Train

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer…

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11579317

60,000 miles · Mar 6, 2024
Seats

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that after an extensive amount of driving, the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat were inclining towards the middle console, both the driver and front passenger occupants would experience leg pain due to the seats. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was …

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that after an extensive amount of driving, the front driver’s and front passenger’s seat were inclining towards the middle console, both the driver and front passenger occupants would experience leg pain due to the seats. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11575773

30,000 miles · Feb 8, 2024
Power TrainTraction Control System

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the traction contr…

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that another warning light of an HEV failure had occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI #11570713

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

My vehicle was the victim of attempted theft and reported to City of Cincinnati police 8/11/23. It then underwent repairs and delays before it was returned to me on 9/22/23. The left side rear door is basically detached from the system, causing the alarm to go off or not even work. The back seat lock is completely malfunction…

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My vehicle was the victim of attempted theft and reported to City of Cincinnati police 8/11/23. It then underwent repairs and delays before it was returned to me on 9/22/23. The left side rear door is basically detached from the system, causing the alarm to go off or not even work. The back seat lock is completely malfunctional, and there is glass remaining inside the car. I was informed by two separate Kia locations that they would contact me about repairs. On 9/29, notice attached here, I was informed that when a remedy is available, they will repair and cover the costs. No one has contacted me, and I have called multiple times over the last several months, including leaving voicemails, asking for any updates. I have phone logs I can provide as well. NOTE: The "Upload Files" button is not working below. Each time I click it, it just vanishes. This makes it impossible to attach anything.

NHTSA ODI #11563391

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contac…

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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11555605

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11555058

Official recalls

1

23V534000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids

Jul 31, 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.

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

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.