2017 Kia Niro: doors won't lock, open or latch

6 of the 83 complaints about the 2017 Kia Niro describe doors won't lock, open or latch.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 7%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year

2018
2
2017
6

What owners say

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Body · OR

I am making a complaint in reference to my 2017 Kia Niro. On or about June 2025 I attempted to open my back driver side door and the handle broke off the car in my hand. We had this replaced at our cost. Since this repair, the back passenger door handle has done the same thing. I have notified KIA headquarters of this and they say they cannot help with this. I am concerned of the safety concerns with the inability to access the back seat quickly in case of emergency because this is where my grandchildren ride. I saw there was a bulletin that when one handle breaks, all door handles with the exception of the drivers door, must be replaced at the same time. I notified the Kia dealership of this and they denied it and told me they had no indication this was required and advised me to take it to my nearest Kia dealership. (3 hour drive).

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Body · GA

The push-button locks (the plastic button that covers the electronic components) on the exterior of the driver's door and passenger's door fell off. The problem was confirmed by the Kia dealership, and attempting to push the buttons back on did not work (the buttons promptly fell back off). There was no warning that the buttons were loose before they fell off. The dealership stated that the only solution would be to replace the entire door handle.

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Body · GA

The push buttons that lock/unlock the car in the outer front door handles fell out within two weeks of each other (passenger door and driver door). There was no sign of them being loose before falling out. There was no event that would cause them to fall out. Without the buttons, the lock circuitry is exposed. Kia dealership has seen the broken handles but unable to reinsert the buttons.

Filed Nov 16, 2022 · Body, Locks · 30,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while her mom was opening the front passenger’s side door outside door handle detached. The driver’s and passenger’s side door handle and button detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer four times where it was diagnosed and determined that the door handles needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under a warranty or recall. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 19, 2020 · Body · 62,000 miles · TX

2 door handle cover broke under normal use.

Filed Aug 25, 2018 · Body · 19,000 miles · MD

Passager door handle completely came apart while trying to open the door; rendering the door inoperable. In an emergency, this can leave a passenger stuck if the driver or first responders cannot access them. There is a service bulletin (tsbbod173) issued for this problem but due to the safety hazard, this should be a full recall. A search of the internet shows this is not an isolated issue.