2017 Kia Niro engine problems

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · TX

Second failure of the EGR cooler on this vehicle in under 90 days. Kia's own Pitstop PS730 (May 2022) identifies internal leakage of the EGR cooler on 2017 to 2022 Niro HEV as the cause of coolant loss, random misfires, and overheating. First failure: coolant tracked through the intake into the cylinders, all-cylinder misfires and loss of power, repaired by Crain Kia of Fayetteville AR on RO 1436350, picked up September 4, 2026, customer paid $1,931.52. Second failure: on October 30, 2026 the same dealer confirmed on video that the replacement EGR cooler it installed September 4 had failed and was leaking coolant, under eight weeks after installation. Symptoms were sudden coolant loss and misfires on cylinders 1 and 4 while driving. The driver is a college student making 460-mile solo highway trips in this car. Loss of coolant and misfires at highway speed are a safety hazard. The failed component is at the dealer and available for inspection. Kia declined my first goodwill request on this repair under Kia Consumer Assistance case 26294863; a second request is pending following this repeat failure.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN · fire

On XXX, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a friend and I were driving on XXX near [XXX], when I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. As I pulled over to the side of the road, a warning light appeared on the dashboard. Once stopped, I saw flames coming from the engine compartment. We immediately got out of the car, retrieved our dogs from the back seat, and ran away from the burning car. Another motorist who had witnessed the flames pulled over behind us. Because our cell phones were still inside the car, we used his phone to call [XXX]. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Fire Department responded to the scene. The car was completely destroyed by the fire and was declared a total loss. We were unable to retrieve anything from the car. There was no collision with another car or object. The car is now located at [XXX]. Telephone [XXX]. On XXX KIA Ourisman of [XXX] had installed a rebuilt engine, as according to them, the original engine had “thrown a rod.” An insurance claim has been filed with GEICO. Complaints have been filed with KIA of [XXX] and [XXX] KIA of [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

My 2017 Kia Niro exhibits a dangerous low-speed engine surging hazard matching Safety Recall SC276. An authorized Kia dealership technician inspected the vehicle under RO #6115244 and formally documented 'seeping fluid residue' inside the clutch actuator housing. However, the dealership and Kia Corporate are refusing to honor the recall remedy and have released the car at a $0.00 balance while explicitly stating in writing that the vehicle is 'not safe to drive.' I am requesting federal intervention for safety campaign non-compliance.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Engine · CA

Kia Dealership (DCH Kia of Temecula) Repair order 237695 shows Recall SC276 was 'passed' via inspection on October 16, 2025. However, the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator has now suffered the exact fluid leak the recall warned about, destroying the slave cylinder. The dealership is refusing to honor the safety recall, leaving an active fire hazard unaddressed.

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

On or around March 20, 2026, my 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid experienced a complete failure of the high-voltage hybrid battery system, rendering the vehicle undriveable. The vehicle was towed to Kia of South Austin. As of the date of this complaint (74 days later), no diagnosis has been provided, no parts have been ordered with trackable confirmation, and no repair timeline has been given. Kia Techline corporate engineers are reportedly involved but have provided no resolution. A sudden high-voltage battery failure in a hybrid vehicle raises potential safety concerns I believe warrant the federal safety agency's attention, particularly given the extended inability to diagnose or repair the system.

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) and the Under Hood Wiring Harness have failed due to internal fluid contamination and corrosion. Yes available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving. Per Safety Recall SC276, this component failure creates an electrical short and internal corrosion that poses a significant fire risk and potential for a sudden stall at high speeds, endangering the driver and other motorists. YES. Rusty Wallace Kia of alcoa confirmed the failure on 04/27/2026. They diagnosed the vehicle with DTCs P17EE and U1010. They provided a repair quote (RO XXX) for $9,431.48 to replace the corroded HCA and harness. YES. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Kia dealer (Rusty Wallace Kia of alcoa ). They are refusing to perform the Recall SC276 mandated repair, claiming it was "already completed" with a fuse swap in Jan 2024, even though the safety defect has now manifested as a full component failure. Yes. The HEV warning light and Check Engine light appeared. Symptoms include "Check Hybrid System" messages and the vehicle failing to engage the engine clutch. These symptoms appeared recently at approximately 107,000 miles. Then when i checked the car it vanished, no error on dashboard ,so i took the car back and was driving error showed up at 109k miles again They asked to repair the vehicle and the repair is not in my budget and i told them that its the recall related issue and they are denying and saying recall was done and they dont open recall again and I found in the document they provided they just did the fuse replacement not HCA unit and The fuse swap did help with the hca corrosion and its not in drivable state and it becae a fire hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Engine, Steering · 50,500 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The message, "Turn Off the Vehicle and Stop" was displayed, and the transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. Once the vehicle was turned off, the smoke dissipated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that there were holes in the engine, power steering, and there was an engine oil leak. The engine, transmission, and battery were replaced. However, 2 months later, the contact attempted to start the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to another dealer, Buster Miles Kia (1401 S Quintard Ave, Anniston, AL 36201). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and it was determined that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,500.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 101,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle jolted and shook abnormally. The electrical system warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost partial power. The engine and hybrid warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was coasted off the roadway to a gas station. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown high-voltage fuse. The vehicle was repaired with a higher voltage fuse. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Engine · VT

-Car was leaking or burning coolant causing engine to overheat. -Car was diagnosed with: Exhaust heat exchanger is leaking coolant and needs to be replaced. After costly repair, car continued to leak coolant and overheated. -Car was taken back to the dealership and diagnosed with: Engine Assembly - Long Block - Replace | Engine long block needs replacement due to coolant in the oil. This was at a certified Kia Dealership. No insurance reps or police were involved. An engine light has come on a couple of times over the years that was interpreted to mean replacing the gas cap. After replacing the gas cap, the engine light didn't come back on. My safety was impacted as a person living in a cold, rural state to have a sudden mechanical failure where I couldn't run the heat and had to stop the car immediately.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

When I was driving, a propulsion system warning went off. Then a malfunction in the vehicle’s powertrain/propulsion system lit up on the GPS screen. Shortly afterward, the engine began smoking, and a loud popping sound occurred simultaneously. The vehicle then experienced a sudden loss of propulsion, requiring me to pull over immediately to avoid a hazardous situation. An authorized Kia dealer subsequently diagnosed a blown head gasket with internal coolant intrusion, confirming an internal powertrain failure consistent with propulsion system malfunction, and the vehicle became inoperable. The vehicle was inspected in October and the loss-of-propulsion failure occurred in December.