2022 KIA Niro EV
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Vehicles › KIA › Niro EV › 2022
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
These records cover every 2022 KIA Niro EV. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
2 recalls name the 2022 KIA Niro EV. Newest first.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Niro EV vehicles. The high voltage battery safety plug may overheat and melt, which can cause a loss of drive power or fire.
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash, and a fire increases the risk of injury.
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicle in a garage or any other covered structure until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the safety plug, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Kia's number for this recall is SC314.
On XXX, After I attempted to plug my car into my home charging outlet at 240V, less than 20 minutes later I received an alert that my battery was at 0%. After unplugging the car, waiting for 30 minutes and plugging it back into the out, my car was unable to see the charging outlet or the 40A cable plugged into the port. Unplugged car again and after talking to remote mechanic, came to decision to take car to AAA repair shop for troubleshooting. Once at the AAA repair shop in [XXX], was advised to take my car to a Kia dealership, as a module was nonfunctional. Brought car to Beyer Kia in [XXX], who held onto my car for two months before making a diagnosis that my car was struck by lightning via a Field Technical Engineer, though the DTC codes stated otherwise: C180287, C161487, C16b487, C161487, C161487, C182D00. All codes noted are internal Controller Area Network Bus Communication Timeouts between internal modules, not power surge or electrical strike. C161487 - registered three times: Internal network timed out because VCU abruptly went offline or lost power. With it registering 3 times confirms ongoing hardware/power supply struggle inside car's computers, not external bolt of lightning. C16B487 - Another subsystem critical timeout error, unable to communicate with VCU. C180287 - Internal stability/chassis lost data connection over vehicle's internal network. C181D00 - Network fault indicating control module voltage dropped below required operating threshold to maintain communication. Kia is trying to claim an external surge (lightning) caused this. However, if a massive high-voltage lightning surge had entered the vehicle through the charging port, it would have permanently fried the OBC (Onboard Charger) or the ICCU (Integrated Charging Control Unit). This would immediately trigger high-voltage hardware failure "P-codes" (Powertrain). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased this used 2022 Kia Niro EV on August 19, 2023, with approximately 3,042 miles. On December 22, 2023, at 24,086 miles, a Kia of Valencia service record documented a kicking/knocking sensation when releasing the brake. The cause was not identified. On August 22, 2024, another service record documented a rear seat belt retraction concern. I cannot confirm whether these earlier problems share the same cause as the later motor issue. On March 31, 2026, at approximately 139,071 miles, Kia of Valencia confirmed a rattling noise from the gear driver motor and recommended replacement. The estimated repair cost was approximately $4,800. I paid a $250 diagnostic fee but could not afford the repair. I contacted Kia America to request goodwill assistance, but the motor was not replaced. On September 9, 2026, while driving on a freeway in heavy traffic, the vehicle repeatedly stopped and moved again, accompanied by extremely loud knocking, rattling, and banging. The vehicle shook, and no warning lights or messages appeared beforehand. I carefully exited the freeway and stopped the vehicle. After bringing it home, I noticed liquid underneath, but could not determine whether it was related to the incident or normal air-conditioning condensation. I have video recordings and supporting service records. I am concerned that this unresolved mechanical problem poses a serious crash risk, especially in freeway traffic. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect and review the documented rear seat belt concern.
Component or system that failed: High-Voltage Electrical System / High-Voltage Battery Safety Plug Assembly (specifically covered under Recall SC314 / NHTSA Campaign 24V-358). It is NOT wear and tear as falsely claimed by the dealer. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request at the owner's residence. How safety was put at risk: The vehicle triggers an active "Check EV System" master warning while driving, creating a severe risk of sudden loss of motive power (stalling) on public roads. The high-voltage charging system is also completely disabled, leaving an elderly driver stranded without transportation. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer?: Yes. Rick Case Kia (Duluth, GA) inspected the vehicle from July 20–22, 2026. Instead of resolving the recall defect at $0.00, they falsely mischaracterized the electrical failure as "wear and tear / customer declined repair" and demanded $1,617 out-of-pocket before releasing the unsafe vehicle. Has the vehicle/component been inspected by others?: Inspected by [XXX] Case Kia service department. Opened active corporate case with Kia America (Case #XXX). Independent mechanics have confirmed this is not simple “wear and tear”, but deeper electrical issues that were touched during the recall. Warning lamps, messages, or symptoms: "Check EV System" master warning light and total failure of the high-voltage charging port. Symptoms first appeared shortly after initial Recall SC314 service was performed on June 15, 2026, and worsened prior to returning the car on XXX. Kia claims to have completed Recall SC314 on June 15, 2026. However, the recall work directly triggered immediate secondary failures in the high-voltage charging system. The dealership is now attempting to evade liability for recall-induced damage by labeling it 'wear and tear' and demanding $1,617 to fix a failure caused by their own recall service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
COMPONENT/SYSTEM: The 12-volt auxiliary battery system, the interior fuse box (Total Integrated Power Module) containing an auto-cutoff relay, and the high voltage battery system. All components are available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: The vehicle has lost power and died while being driven, and has left occupants stranded on multiple occasions. A sudden loss of motive power in traffic creates a serious risk of collision to occupants and to other motorists. The vehicle has failed to start dozens of times. FAILURE DESCRIPTION: The 12-volt battery in my 2022 Kia Niro EV has repeatedly discharged, leaving the vehicle dead and unable to start. ~Six 12V batteries have been installed between January 2025 and February 2026, between 60,431 and 77,130 miles. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. The condition has been reproduced and documented by the dealer across five separate repair orders. On 1/21/2025 at 60,431 miles, the technician found the 12V battery completely dead after sitting, jump-started the vehicle, and reported no abnormal draw on the electrical system. On 11/05/2025 at 74,355 miles the vehicle again required a jump start to be brought into the shop; the battery was replaced, and the technician reported the vehicle was operating as designed. On 1/22/2026 at 77,124 miles, a technician performed a parasitic draw test and measured 0.185 amps, exceeding the specification of below 50 milliamps by approximately 3.7 times. The technician documented that the auto-cutoff relay was remaining closed, continuously supplying current to 21 modules, and that the interior fuse box required replacement at a quoted cost of $2,048.48. This defect was present during the two prior visits but was not identified. On 2/13/2026 at 77,130 miles, the vehicle would not start when we came to pick up the car. The shop had to provide a loaner, and then another battery was installed, and the TIPM was replaced.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently entered limp mode and loss automotive power while the vehicle was still at full battery. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to get a diagnosis however, the dealer stated that the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
I wanted to go to the store and when I pressed the Start button I got the message: Stop car and check regenerative brakes. Soon after the lights dimmed and the message showed up that key fob was not detected even though it was in my hand. It then no longer took a charge and is completely dark. I checked the internet, and it sounds like it is the 12V battery and is a known issue that is not yet at recall level.
I have had this vehicle for 13 months and have taken it to the shop 4 times for the same reason. The 12v dies and my car has to be Jumpstarted in order for me to use the vehicle. Dealer usually blames the 12v at the beginning of the appointments before ultimately telling me there is nothing wrong with the 12v and that they are unable to replicate the problem. They rarely go beyond preforming a drain test, despite me telling them that there is no drain. I've been stranded late at night because of this issue, and now keep a portable jumpstarter in my vehicle at all times.
When vehicle is placed in ‘reverse’ gear, screen goes to green screen that reads “ No Camera Signal Received.Please try again later.” Unable to view rear of vehicle except through mirrors while backing up. Audio warning will still sound for proximity alarm, but no visibility from rear camera. Intermittently camera will function and show live feed of rear of vehicle. Taken to dealership and camera replaced, dealer reports that it worked for approx. 30 minutes but now is malfunctioning again and they are continuing diagnostics.
I was called for battery recall. Brought my car at the kia of stockton dealership last Feb 14, 2025. Mechanic found problem with high voltage battery of my 2022 kia niro ev. Contacted kia manufacturer or customer care regularly for the repair/problem with case number [XXX] but until now june 16th, 2025 no updates yet(4 months). My car is still in the dealership and mechanic told me that no response from kia if they are gonna repair it or what. Pls help..INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought my 2022 Kia Niro EV new in 2022, and around 40,000 miles, I had a problem with the reduction motor so I replaced it, shortly after that I had a problem with the wheel so I replaced a part called the axle, and shortly after that, the other wheel had the same problem so I replaced the same part, and the Kia employee said that this part only breaks if there is a strong impact (traffic accident) so it's strange. All of this happened in less than 2 years but I had it covered under warranty so I got it fixed, but now the reduction motor problem that I had originally replaced has happened again and they are demanding $5,800 to repair it since it's out of warranty. I think this is unfair, and this is the first time I've had a car with this many problems in less than 3 years.
Car has broken down, not started, battery dead when fully charged MULTIPLE TIMES. It has been in the Kia service department since March 2024 (9 months) and they can’t figure out where the parasitic drain is from. This is the third time this year getting towed to the Kia dealership with no resolution. No warning lights / labels prior to failure. Danger by leaving me stranded 3+ times this year with need for triple A.
I received a recall notice for my 2022 Kia Niro EV regarding the safety plugs of the high-voltage battery. I have now scheduled three different appointments with Kia of Lincolnwood to perform this recall, and each time I have been turned away with a different excuse (lack of part, lack of tools, performing recall will take too many hours). The last time I asked to speak with the service manager, who assured me he would take care of this and I would be able to come in on Friday 10/11. Given how many times I've been turned away, I called the day before to confirm, and the manager said he would call me back and never did. Repeated attempts to contact him or the dealership that day went unanswered. I would like help getting this dealership to perform the recall. Given the risk of fire or crash, I am not comfortable driving this vehicle or charging it. I am attaching copies of both the recall and the last work order I was given, where it shows once again I was asked to come back another day.
In re: Manufacturer Recall Number SC314, NHTSA Recall Number 24V358 The Kia dealership (Aloha Kia Leeward, Waipahu, Hawai‘i) is imposing an unreasonable delay for this safety recall. Dealer was contacted in mid-July to schedule recall service. Dealer said it had to order the part. After not hearing from the dealer for two weeks, dealer was contacted on August 2 and recall service was scheduled for August 27 (claiming that was the first available appt.) Dealer kept the vehicle for 5 hours that day, then said the service could not be performed. Dealer said it would contact me to reschedule. After leaving messages and not hearing back from dealer, I went in person on 9-4-24. Dealer could not schedule recall service until October 7. Because this is a recall for safety issues, this repeated delay is unacceptable. I wish to put this complaint in the record regarding the disregard for vehicle safety by Aloha Kia Leeward of Waipahu, Hawai‘i. Thank you.
2022 NIRO EV PHANTOM BREAKING WARRENTY DENIED WITH NO DAMAGE VISABLE What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? ACC SYSTEMS UNKNOWN KIA CLAIMS MY FRONT RADAR BRACKET IS OFF 1.9 DEGREES. THEY STATE THEIR NO NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE The text stating there was no damage, but Kia wants the bracket replaced, that’s reasonable but why they want you to pay for it I don’t yet understand. I will be looking into this as that’s a key point. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? nope Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? manufacturer PENDING STATE BAR REP How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? cAR STOPPED ON STRAIGHT AWAY WENT TO 63mph TO 50 VERY QUICK NO INCLINE NO DECLINE NO TURN NOONE OR NOTHING IN FRONT OR AROUND ME
Started 2-3 months ago and is progressively getting worse. Battery drop from charged down to 2% randomly. Battery would drop 1% every 3 seconds. During highway drive it would cancel out cruise control and/or limited power down to 30mph. Which almost caused accident for the sudden loss of power. Brought to dealer and found no issues, waiting for next appointment in 2 weeks (next opening) to bring in for second look. Currently renting a vehicle since it is life threatening to just have no power in range and acceleration.
I have now had 8 instances of the Low Power warning coming on while driving, which reduces available power, and when coming to a stop, car cannot go forward. This has happened at highway speeds as well as city street speeds. This happened 4 times on a 50 mile drive today, creating a very dangerous road situation. I now feel the car is unsafe to drive, as an accident is waiting to happen. I have contacted the dealership where car was purchased and am waiting to hear back from them.
2022 Kia Niro EV loses main battery power causing the vehicle to not be able to maintain speed. This has happened at varying speeds including highway speeds. The vehicle showes "limited power" warning on the dash along with "check electrical system" warnings. The OBDii system does not record these warnings and do not show up when taken to service center. The service center can not make repairs as they are not able to replicate the issue.
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact depressed the brake pedal several times; however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact drove over a flower pot and then crashed into a support beam. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. No injury was sustained, and medical attention was not received. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the front passenger's side quarter panel, tire, and wheel were replaced. The vehicle was then traded to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 9,500.
The chrome colored plastic strip that runs along the dash reflects the sun into your eyes and is blinding. Sometimes I have to drive with my hand blocking the beams of light because it’s that blinding. This happens mostly in the summer but has happened in other seasons. I was going to paint it or put stickers on it to block it although my car is a rental and don’t want to void anything so I drive with my hand blocking the reflection.
Vehicle enters power limited (turtle) mode randomly. While driving under normal conditions, with ample battery charge and range, the “turtle mode” warning indicator chimes. Sometimes it is brief and no noticeable power loss is experienced. However, often power will be lost and the vehicle must limp off the road to restart if it doesn’t resume on its own. This problem arises at varying speeds and ambient conditions. Our safety is at risk because you never know when it will happen. Losing power on the highway and making an emergency stop is clearly a safety hazard. The dealership has not been able to replicate this problem.
The vehicle has failed to start on 3 occasions and needed to be jumped. When towed to the dealership they’ve been unable to find any issues.
The car has chrome trim on the dashboard that can cause blinding reflections and which also reflects in the side windows making it hard to see the side mirrors. This is a design flaw (not strictly a failure or malfunction) and the vehicle is available for inspection. The risk is that it impedes the driver's vision and the ability to use the mirrors and sometimes to read the display. Impeding the driver's vision can result in a crash. This problem has been reported by many owners on various forums, but I have not had it corroborated.
When driving with ACC engaged in traffic at a speed below the target speed the vehicle will sometimes speed up. This seems to happen when the ACC radar loses the return from the vehicle ahead -- for example when when a ahead vehicle changes lanes in stop-and-go traffic, I think this may happen if the side of the vehicle merging into the lane is relatively "clean" and most of the radar energy is reflected away. When this happens the car will start accelerating to the target speed, in rush hour traffic the spacing between vehicles can be quite tight and there is little time to respond to the sudden acceleration. This has also happened at an approach to a roundabout where there is a sharp turn before entering the roundabout. The vehicle is available for inspection. The problem has happened several times and I'm often able to predict when it will happen, but it has not been independently reproduced. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer (the problem was reported to the dealer who sold the car, they brushed it off and could not provide a means of reporting it to the manufacturer). There were no warnings or indication of an equipment failure.
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while his wife was driving in a parking lot at approximately 5 MPH, she drove over a curb to avoid a vehicle that was reversing. The vehicle crashed into the roadway aggressively after coming down from the curb and the contact's wife inadvertently depressed the accelerator pedal. The vehicle accelerated to approximately 40 MPH in a straight line and then crashed into four parked vehicles in a chain reaction, crashing into the rear end of the first parked vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle came to a stop on its own due to the crash's impact. The damage to the contact's vehicle was a crushed grill, hood, and fenders, all the way to the windshield. The contact's wife suffered a fracture to her C2 vertebrae on her neck, a fracture to her right foot, a small laceration to her left knee. The contact suffered bruises to her chest and shoulders from the seat belt. The contact's wife was transported to the ER by ambulance. The driver's side front air and side air bags had been deployed. The contact stated that the police were on the scene and filed a report. The contact said that the vehicle had been towed to an impound lot. The vehicle had not been diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The contact stated that the insurance provider requested that the vehicle be released to them. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with front collision avoidance technology which had apparently failed to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,500.
EV was at 50%/130 miles to go, was driving on the expressway at 70 mph and it just quit. No warning, just all the lights started going on and off and i lost power and was able to coast to the side of the expressway. Was unable to restart, or get into gear for the hauler. Vehicle was hauled to dealership and is still there. The car has 1,100 miles on it.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
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.
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.