On [XXX], Flakes of paint starting peeling away and flew over the windshield while simply driving along an interstate highway at 65 MPH on a calm, dry and sunny day in CO. (A factory paint application defect of the SWP paint color is a common owner complaint) Issue reported to Kia Customer Service on NOV 15th, 2024 who provided case No.[XXX]
The worst 2020 Kia Niro PHEV problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission2
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
Recalls 1
Power train: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 23V534000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency 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 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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV 54
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Partial repair – electrical a/c compressor
- Infotainment software update procedure
- Pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor
- Transmission fluid application guide
- Kia connect modem reset (SA611)
- AVN 5.0 wide dealer mode factory reset
- AVN 5.0 wide non-responsive radio icon (AM, FM, sxm)
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity...
- AVN 5.0 wide screen freezing or map delay with wired apple carplay
- Uneven/slippery road warning displayed on instrument cluster
What 2020 Kia Niro PHEV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The vehicle locks the left wheel when braking. It skids and brakes in one simultaneous action. It doesn't happen often but occasionally if I'm in heavy traffic. I reported this problem to the Kia dealer who found no problem. I really feel that this requires investigation as it could cause an accident. El vehículo bloquea la rueda izquierda al frenar. Patina y frena en una sola acción simultánea. No sucede a menudo, pero de vez en cuando, si hay mucho tráfico. Informé de este problema al concesionario de Kia, que no encontró ningún problema. Realmente creo que es necesario investigarlo, ya que podría provocar un accidente.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The bearings in the steering wheel is going bad. The car is a 2020 and should not have this issue. They’re claiming it’s not covered under basic warranty since my mileage is 77,637, over the 60,000 mileage. Even with this many mileage, a steering wheel bearing should not go bad this quickly.
We purchased a new 2020 kia niro ex premium phev on 10/10/2020 and regret it. Less than a week and 50 miles in we had the "check active air flap system" warning. Apparently this a known problem, https://www.kianiroforum.com/threads/2020-phev-check-active-air-flap-system.9142/ how ridiculous that a well know and very widespread fault like this is not addressed by the manufacturer before the sale. The 1-800 people were well aware of the problem but could not answer even the most simple question. Q - is the vehicle safe to drive? A - if you feel the vehicle is unsafe then don't drive it. Very cavalier but I suspect the rep was not proved detail and script. I have attempted to contact kia directly and also via the bbb. From what I see the dealer is also a victim. I am building my case for a lemon law return. How sad a large and exciting purchase goes wrong so quickly and that basic safety questions can't be addressed. *ln consumer stated vehicle would randomly stop automatically and emergency brake would engage on it's own. Scan showed faulty body control module when consumer first purchased the vehicle.*jb
Compare the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV
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Questions about the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV
Is the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV, fewer than a typical Niro PHEV model year.
What is the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV year score?
The 2020 Kia Niro PHEV scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Niro PHEV: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV have?
1 recall, covering power train.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V534000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
VIN decoder
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