2019 KIA NIRO EV — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
22
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
The 2019 KIA NIRO EV has received a total of 22 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (6 complaints), Electrical System (5 complaints), and Service Brakes (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systempropulsion Systemtraction Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptivemobilityvehicle Controlsbraking | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
1. Failed Component/System: EV plastic charging door does not open using the electronic unlock mechanism on the key. Unable to charge EV vehicle due to this fundamental failure. IMPORTANT: There are no manual override mechanisms provided by the manufacturer - KIA to open this charging door. This makes the EV both unsafe and unusable since it cannot be charged. 2. Safety Risk: Unable to charge an EV vehicle is a fundamental EV electrical system component failure that can create an unsafe situation since it occurs without any warning and leave the car owner stranded. The Manufacturer - KIA has not provided any manual fail safe/override mechanism to open the charging door manually. This is also a fundamental safety issue since the failure occurred without any warning lamp/other indication to the owner. IMPORTANT: Other KIA NIRO EV owners have complained about the same issue in online forums. Refer attachment - [XXX] 3. Dealer Problem Reproduction: NO since dealer demands a $299.99 diagnostic fee. Multiple attempts to contact the dealer and manufacturer KIA to waive the diagnostic fee were unsuccessful. 4. Manufacturer/Police/Insurance Inspection: No. KIA refused to deal with this issue under the KIA 10-year/100,000-Electric vehicle (EV) system warranty even though the warranty description mentions all internal parts. Reference: KIA Case No. [XXX]. NOTE: KIA does not allow the case history to be retrieved from their manufacturer portal because they have closed the case. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure? NO 6. When did they first appear? [XXX] (approximately) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While I’m driving a turtle light randomly illuminates and the car shuts off. The car shuts off from a few seconds up to a minute so far. I have taken it to Kia McDonough Ga and to no avail nothing: they had my car 2 months and by the time they did the diagnostic “the computer box reset”. Why let it sit for a diagnostic when all they are doing is connecting to a computer. I provided them videos and pictures and nothing. This is a danger any passengers, other drivers, as well as myself. The times are random and once the light comes on it’s off. Battery is new, battery is charged.
Car made loud whinning noise for 6 months, due to defective transmission. KIA refused to fix because car was out of warranty- but has TSB: ELE234. My extended warranty did not cover because it was a known defect from KIA.' Car stopped working, transmission was repaired. Please see below attached 16k invoice.
On June 28, 2022, I set my Juicebox Pro 40 charger to charge my car overnight. The car did not charge and I discovered that the breaker had tripped. I tried resetting the breaker and it immediately tripped again. I noticed a burning smell in the garage in the vicinity of the charger after attempting to reset the breaker. There was discoloration on the unit box. I then unplugged the unit at which point I was able to reset the breaker without it tripping. I concluded that the unit was unsafe to use and I returned it to ENEL. I bought a new one while I waited for warranty service on the old unit. I have not tested the old unit since it was repaired by ENEL. It was my judgment at the time, and remains so, that the unit presented a fire hazard.
There’s motor rumble due to a misalignment of the traction motor and reduction gear. It’s a known issue with these vehicles and a technical bulletin was issued but no recall. I’ve brought the vehicle in twice and the first time the dealer told me there was nothing wrong. Now a year later they admit it is wrong and is unsafe to drive without a $10k replacement.
Safety Rating for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2019 KIA NIRO EV in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
Kia America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SC321_DP — SERVICE BRAKES
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC321) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to address a potential corrosion concern with the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) on certain 2019-2022 MY Niro EV vehicles, manufactured from December 5, 2018...
SC321_TSB — SERVICE BRAKES
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: IEB INSPECTION AND WATER PROOFING OR IEB REPLACEMENT (SC321) - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect the Integrated Electronic Booster (IEB) on certain 2019-2022MY Niro EV (DE EV) vehicles produced from December 5, 2018 through April 12, 2022, that were originally sold orare...
TSB_ELE270_R2 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INVERTER COOLANT/DEBRIS FLUSHING/REPLACEMENT FOR CLUSTER MESSAGE "REFILL INVERTER COOLANT" (SA512) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to flush out the inverter low-conductivity...
TSB_ELE270_R2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INVERTER COOLANT/DEBRIS FLUSHING/REPLACEMENT FOR CLUSTER MESSAGE "REFILL INVERTER COOLANT" (SA512) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to flush out the inverter low-conductivity...
TSB_ELE270 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: INVERTER COOLANT/DEBRIS FLUSHING/REPLACEMENT FOR CLUSTER MESSAGE "REFILL INVERTER COOLANT" (SA512) - This bulletin provides information to flush out the inverter low-conductivity coolant on certain 2019-2022MY Niro EV (DE EV) vehicles produced from May 10, 2019 through October 4, 2021, which may exhibit a "Refill inverter...
TSB_ELE234_R1 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DRIVE UNIT INSPECTION & REPLACEMENT FOR EV MOTOR RUMBLE NOISE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and repair the EV motor...
NHTSA Investigations for the 2019 KIA NIRO EV
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA NIRO EV
- 2018 KIA NIRO EV — 0 complaints
- 2019 KIA NIRO EV (current)
- 2020 KIA NIRO EV — 26 complaints
- 2021 KIA NIRO EV — 2 complaints
- 2022 KIA NIRO EV — 43 complaints
- 2023 KIA NIRO EV — 27 complaints
- 2024 KIA NIRO EV — 8 complaints
Other KIA Models
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- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints