2022 Kia Niro recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
What could happen: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2022 NIRO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 23V534000 (manufacturer code SC276).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CLUTCHES/BANDS:ACTUATORS/SOLENOIDS
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2022 Kia Niro owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (8), Electrical system (7), Engine (6), Unknown Or Other (6), Transmission / drivetrain (4).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
09/07/2026 · Electrical system
I park the car, lock it and then later on can’t open it. I use the emergency key to enter it but then can’t start it even with a new battery in the key fob. It happened twice. It is an issue that needs to be fixed as soon as possible because in case of emergency you’re stuck outside your car and can’t use it to escape a danger or respond to an emergency.…
08/25/2026 · Electrical system
2022 Kia Niro EX Premium Hybrid was sold as Kia Certified Pre-Owned on August 12 2026 with an active check engine light present at time of purchase. Dealer Calavan Kia West in Lithia Springs GA represented the vehicle as passing a 165-point CPO inspection. Dealer attributed the light to a gas cap issue and cleared the code to complete the sale. Six days lat…
07/29/2026 · Brakes
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormally loud grinding sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the brake pads and rotors were replaced. While replacing the brake pads and rotors, the mechanic became aware that the parking brake cable housing wa…
07/20/2026 · Body / structure
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that a hardwired kill switch was installed in the vehicle, and the switch overheated to the point that the vehicle was unable to operate. An investigation was conducted by the contact, who touched a big box underneath the dashboard. The contact's hand was burned on the fingertips because the box was extre…
06/10/2026 · Airbags · crash
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop at 5 MPH, the vehicle was T-boned on the passenger's side by a Jeep Grand Cherokee driving at high speed. Due to the impact, the contact's head struck the dashboard. The other vehicle fled the scene of the crash. The airbag deployed on the passenger side but did not…
05/27/2026 · Electrical system
Problem 1, Check Engine Light: I purchased the used car on Jan 9 2025, around 23,400 miles from Kia Dealership, capitol Expy in San Jose. Today 05/27/2026, the odometer reads 26, 407 miles. My car is used only twice a week - 20 miles on Fridays, 12 miles on Wednesdays. My car has less than minimum wear and tear and is barely used. I completed my 25K ser…
05/06/2026 · Unknown Or Other
am writing to formally request assistance regarding my Kia vehicle which I purchased used at approximately 38,000 miles. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle became undrivable and has since required repeated repairs without resolution. To date, the vehicle has been presented for repair on six separate occasions for the same issue and has remained out of serv…
04/24/2026 · Fuel system
Intermittent warning to "Refill Inverter Coolant" displays on the dash screen. This is a known issue pursuant to SA512 (ELE 270 Rev 3) due to faulty coolant that crystallizes and interferes with the sensor. However, per Kia, it is only covered under standard warranty (5 years/60k miles) and while my vehicle is within the year warranty, it is over the mileag…