NHTSA Complaint #11560828 — 2020 KIA NIRO EV

POWER TRAIN issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	11560828
Vehicle	2020 KIA NIRO EV
Component	POWER TRAIN
Date of Incident	December 19, 2023
Date Filed	December 19, 2023
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	TX

Consumer Description

Drive unit defect in EV motor/reduction gear. These vehicles have a manufacturing defect that causes a percentage of them to experience a loud noise while under acceleration, loudest at around 30mph. It is described as a "card in spokes", "motor rumble", "wheel of fortune", "clicking/tapping" sound. There is a TSB that Kia has released for this issue, ELE234, but Kia continually denies and obstructs owners from getting their vehicles repaired under warranty. It typically begins quietly at around 20-30k miles, gradually getting louder. Currently at 68k, Kia continues to deny repairs. It has been inspected and diagnosed several times by a Kia dealership, acknowledging the defect referenced in their own TSB, but Kia will not authorize the repair.

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