2019 Kia Niro Complaint Log

For no apparent reason (other than a stress crack or other manufacturer or design defect), a long crack appeared in my windshield (start from the bottom left and going up and over about 20 inches). It is an interior window crack that cannot be felt from the inside or outside. Vehicle was simply parked at the time. Not caused by accident, rock or other impact. Dealer so far refused to replace the windshield under warranty although it is clear within the Basic Warranty Coverage and not excluded from coverage. Based on Google search, it appears that Kia has a long history of knowing about windshield cracks on different models, not just the Telluride which is part of class action lawsuit. Kia needs to be replacing cracked windshields like this per its Basic Warranty terms. It is a significant safety hazard.

SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2020, OUR NIRO HAS BEEN AT A KIA SERVICE CENTER 12 TIMES AT 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN A DESPERATE ATTEMPT TO GET OUR NIRO TO REPLICATE, WHAT I THINK IS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE, DURING THE MILE OR TWO THE TECH TEST-DRIVES THE VEHICLE FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHEN I AM COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, ONCE IN A WHILE I HEAR A VERY LOUD BANG OR A MOMENTARY LOUD SCRAPING NOISE AS IF A METAL SPATULA IS BEING SWIFTLY DRAGGED ACROSS A SLAB OF CONCRETE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LUNGE FORWARD AS IF I AM SLIPPING ON ICE OR WET LEAVES. AT A FEW DEALERSHIPS, I HAVE DESCRIBED IT LIKE ALMOST COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN GETTING HIT FROM THE REAR. THIS, TO ME MEANS GEARS ARE GRABBING WHAT GEARS GRAB (I ASSUME OTHER GEARS) AND CAUSING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO TURN AND THUS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO ROTATE WITHOUT REASON TO DO SO. SINCE MY FOOT IS NOT COMPLETELY PRESSING DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS I AM STILL SLOWING DOWN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT (OR A STOP SIGN, SPEED BUMP, DRIVEWAY, PEDESTRIAN, ETC), THE CAR MAKES THAT NOTORIOUS LOUD BANG OR SCRAPE SOUND AND THEN JOLTS FORWARD A BIT, ENOUGH TO SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. NOTHING ALERTS ME WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, IT JUST HAPPENED AND WHEN IT DOES, THE CAR GETS AWAY FROM ME UNTIL I CAN FULLY BRAKE OR UNTIL THE GEARS DISENGAGE (OR STOP DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE).

STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE WHEN MAKING SLOW TURNS- IN REVERSE AND MOVING FORWARD.

12 volt starting battery (Lithium Ion Polymer) pn 37507-G2120. battery swollen and will not take charge (2.5 years old) 15,000 miles on vehicle. This battery powers dash and all related safety systems. Dealer refuses to look into problem as batteries are on national back order status and cannot fix due to parts availability. 3 dealerships have been contacted, all have been making excuses for other systems at fault to avoid recognizing battery is defective. I have been without use since Mar2021.

I don't know what components are involved. When attempting to move forward from a stop the car does not respond immediately. Then there is clunk noise and a lurch forward. Sometimes when this happens it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem began about a year ago and has been into the dealer's service center several times. I believe during one of those service visits a reset of something was done that seemed to resolve the issue for several months. The problem is intermittent. Dealer has been unable to reproduce the issue, but stated the last time the car was in for service that another customer with the same year and make was having the same symptoms and a tech that had been allowed to use the car for over a week did not experience the issue. No warning lights or codes are associated with the issue. A car that fails to move forward on a green light is in danger of being rear-ended placing the people in the vehicle and surrounding vehicles at risk of bodily injury. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other than service staff at the FOlsom Lake Kia dealership. On February 18, 2022, the vehicle had no power (automatic doorlocks didn't work, etc) could not be started and was towed to the dealership where it is now.

I BOUGHT MY 2019 CAR ON DECEMBER 2020. WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED, AND I START FORWARD, THE CAR JERKS AND MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME RANDOMLY, BUT ONCE VERY 15 STOPS IN AVERAGE, ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 DAYS. I WENT TO AN ONLINE FORUM OF KIA OWNERS AND IT SEEMS THAT THE PROBLEM COMES FROM THE WRONG TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING PUT INTO THE CAR DURING PRODUCTION. THERE IS A KIA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT DEALS WITH CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2020/MC-10174520-0001.PDF BUT WHEN I CALLED KIA USA, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS NOT ASSOCIATED TO MY VIN. I HAVE BEEN 5 TIMES TO 2 DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIP AND IT'S STILL NOT FIXED BECAUSE THEY HAD DIFFICULTY REPRODUCING AND DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM. BUT THE SECOND DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT HE WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE ONCE. I TOOK 2 VIDEOS (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR) OF THE PROBLEM, WHERE ONE CAN HEAR THE LOUD NOISE.

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at night with the low-beam headlights activated, the illumination was either too bright or improperly position causing the light beam to become visibility hazards to the oncoming drivers. The contact indicated that oncoming motorist constantly flashed their lights indicating that the high-beam headlights were activated even though only the low-beam headlights were illuminated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V771000 (Exterior Lighting). The local dealer was notified of the issue. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 50.

THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS IF I HAD PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN PARK GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS IT CAN HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 6400 MILES AND AGAIN AT ABOUT 6600 MILES. BOTH TIMES IT HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS FLAT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION WHILE TAKING THE EXIT AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY STEERING THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT STATED ALL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER (POMONA KIA SUPERSTORE LOCATED AT 8 RIO RANCHO RD, POMONA, CA 91766) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000.*DT*JB

PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPACE, BARELY MOVING, CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER AND UPHILL. THIS HAPPENED WITH ANOTHER KIA - FORTE- A FEW YEARS AGO . SAME TRAJECTORY. LOW SPEED TURN, I DID NOT ACCELERATE.

1. STEERING WHEEL COUPLER MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND GETTING LOUDER EVERY DAY. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 2. TOXIC NAUSEATING AMMONIA TYPE FUME IS EMITTED FROM THE HEATER CORE WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED ON. I HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE. DEEKER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG. BOTH PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHER NIRO OWNER AT KIA NIRO FORUMS.

Within the first 6 months of owning our 2019 Kia Plugin Hybrid, we started experiencing a clunk with a lurch when accelerating from a stopped position. The issue became progressively worse over time - increasing in frequency and severity. The car has been to the Kia Lupient dealership in Brooklyn Park, MN multiple times for this issue. At our most recent visit on November 7th, 2022, the service advisor acknowledged that the issue may be due to shipping the vehicle with the wrong transmission fluid. The transmission fluid was replaced with the correct fluid. However, we experienced the issue again on December 2, 2022. Could the wrong fluid have caused permanent damage to the transmission? This Technical Service Bulletin (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10174520-0001.pdf) indicates that could be true. We are pursing arbitration with the dealership.

WHEN I WAS GOING TO LA USING 110 EXPRESS LANE. CAR STOP UNPREDICTABLY TOTALLY AND I PARKED THE CAR LEFT SIDE 110 EXPRESS LANE. I WAS STAYED 3 HOURS UNTIL TOW COMING.

THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES GO FORWARD EVENTHOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT IS IN THE R POSITION FOR REVERSE. AND THE OPPOSITE HAPPENS. I MAY GO IN REVERSE EVENTHOUGH THE GEAR IS IN THE D POSITION FOR DRIVE. -- I BELIEVE THE ABOVE HAPPENS IF I SHIFT GEARS TOO QUICKLY BEFORE THE CAR FINISHES ITS SYSTEM CHECK. -- THAT IS MY OWN TROUBLESHOOTING EFFORT/OPINION. THE WRONG MOTION HAPPENS WHEN STARTING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION. FOR EXAMPLE STARTING THE CAR AND WANTING TO DRIVE FORWARD OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR WANTING TO GO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A GARAGE. ---- IT'S HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I NOTIFIED THE DEAL SALES REP BACK IN OCT. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. IT'S HAPPEND A COUPLE OTHER TIMES AND FINALLY I FOUND THIS WEBSITE AFTER IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS WEEK.

ONGOING ISSUE: RANDOMLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP, UPON ACCELERATION THERE IS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AS IF I AM BEING REAR-ENDED. POSSIBLY THE TRANSMISSION. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER WHEN THE GAS ENGINE IS IN USE MORE.

WHEN WE ARE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM BEEPS/CHIRPS A WARNING. OUR VEHICLE IS STOPPED, NOT MOVING AT ALL. THE CAR IN FRONT OF US, OR NEXT TO US IS ALSO STOPPED, NOT MOVING. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE LIGHT BEEPS CAUSING US TO BE CONCERNED THAT WE MIGHT GET INTO A COLLISION. IT TYPICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IS A TESLA, MERCEDES OR OTHER HIGH END CAR, BUT ALSO OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF US IS NOT A TYPICAL HIGH END BRAND. THIS SAFETY CONCERN HAPPENS RANDOMLY, NOT EVERYTIME WE ARE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WE HAVE DOCUMENTED THIS WITH A VIDEO AND PROVIDED THIS TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO WORK ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS FROM KIA ENGINEERS ON WHAT THEY SHOULD DO. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS BROUGHT IN, THEY CLEANED THE CAMERA LENS ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, ONLY ONE WAY TO ELIMINATE AN EASY FIX. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN SEVERAL MORE TIMES AND THE SERVICE WRITERS TOLD US THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND KIA SHOULD HAVE A FIX, BUT IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 1 YEAR SINCE OUR INITIAL COMPLAINT. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS CONCERN TO HIGHER LEVELS WITHIN KIA AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OR TRY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM.

THE REVERSE LIGHTING IS INADEQUATE FOR REVERSE CAMERA IN DARK, WHICH PRODUCES GRAINY BACKUP CAMERA IMAGE. THE CAMERA WORKS FINE IN DAYLIGHT. THIS MAY REQUIRE PROPER LIGHTING OR CAMERA THAT WORKS WELL IN DIM LIGHT CONDITION. ALSO, THE CAMERA IS EXPOSED TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, SUCH AS RAIN AND SNOW.

TL* THE CONSUMER RENTED A 2019 KIA NIRO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE RENTAL COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *AS

The vehicle has an intermittent jerk/clunk sound when accelerating or coming to a stop. Occasionally it can feel as if the clutch is coming engaging/disengaging roughly and cause passenger's heads to shake forward. In a few instances there has been a delay when pressing on the brakes to initiate stopping before the vehicle, this momentary loss of control is alarming. It feels as if the clutch and brakes did not react to the pedal immediately. I have taken the vehicle to the Kearny Mesa Kia dealership to diagnose the issue on 3 separate occasions starting from 2 months after purchasing the vehicle. On the most recent visit they have diagnosed that dual clutch failed a calibration test - it is unclear if they performed this test on the previous visits. Repairs have not yet been performed as I am disputing the out of warranty claim by the dealership

THE PROBLEM THAT I'M I'M HAVING IS A CODE P0456 (EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED, WHICH IS A SMALL LEAK. THE REASON WHY I'M WORRIED IS BECAUSE THE GAUGE FOR THE RPMS GOES ALL THE WAY ACROSS AS FAR AS IT CAN GO, IN OTHER WORDS IT'S LIKE AS IF I'M PUSHING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL AS FAR AS IT CAN GO , IT DOES THIS WHEN I'M DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I'M ABOUT TO LEAVE A SIGNAL LIGHT FROM A COMPLETE STOP , WHEN I'M DRIVING UP A HILL IS WHEN IT'S WORST.

AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE AC STOPPED WORKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, ALARMS OR INDICATORS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG, BUT I IMMEDIATELY GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I THOUGHT THIS IS NOT RIGHT. AS I BRAKED ON THE RAMP, THE CAR STILL WORKED, BUT WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE LEAVING THE RAMP, THERE WAS NO POWER. I GOT INTO AN ADJACENT PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I CALLED AAA, THEY GAVE IT A JUMP, BUT EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERY WAS FULL, WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE IT WOULD DO NOTHING.

FIRST THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING FOR 2 DAYS. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY, 8/13/19, THE HEV LIGHT AND OIL LIGHTS WENT ON. THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, CA. INITIALLY THEY SAID IT MAY NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY. THEN ON 8/17 THEY TOLD ME THE AIR CONDITIONER NEEDS A NEW COMPRESSOR. THEN ON 8/23 I WAS TOLD THAT OIL AND METAL SHARDS HAD LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT IS UNKNOWN WHEN THE REPAIR WILL BE DONE.

Obnoxious eye and lung burning fumes in the car when turning the heater on. It was so from the day I bought it. Many owners have reported it also on Kia nitro forum . I drive in the cold without the heater or leave the window open to let the fumes out. It’s a health hazard and seems to relate to their heater core or it’s insulation material. Dealer and Kia claim nothing is wrong. It’s a health and safety hazard in need of immediate solution and recall. Also car’s steering column make a wheezing or rubbing noise when turning the wheel. Dealer says it’s normal. It’s not a safety hazard yet. But I have never driven or heard any other car with persistent rubbing noise it it’s inside the car’s steering column. Whatever is rubbing will eventually wear out posing failure and safety risk. A voluntary recall may be in order.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA NIRO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOSAK KIA (241 MELTON RD, BURNS HARBOR, IN 46304, (219) 787-9200) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 13342866. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000.

When coming to a stop, the car will jerk forward with a loud clack sound. Sometimes it's mild, but other times it is as if the car had been rear-ended, causing it to lurch forward abruptly. There is no rhyme or reason to when it will happen, but it is always when coming to a stop, usually at a very slow speed.

My backup camera works intermittently, it has been tested at the dealership and supposed to be faulty, but if faulty why does it sometimes work, this causes danger when reversing the vehicle! The dealership wants $821 to replace the camera, I feel it should be a recall, as a whole bunch of Ford vehicles are recalled for the same issue! I have had several close calls even using my mirrors and looking over my shoulder, as the car has big blind spots!