2018 Kia Niro Phev: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 13 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2023
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2023
“In July 2023, Kia identified a defect that can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving; namely that the printed circuit board in the hydraulic clutch actuator may become contaminated with fluid and lead to an electrical short circuit. To date, there is still no remedy available. I am filing this complaint for your assistance in ensuring the company provides a remedy within a reasonable time.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
Show 5 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2023
“Tl* the contact owned a 2018 kia niro plug-in hybrid. While driving at 30 mph and through an intersection, another vehicle ran their red light causing a collision. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was failed. The contact's insurance deemed the vehicle totaled. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the contact should call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“Vehicle randomly flashes message to check hybrid system. Warning message disappear after vehicle reset but the message has repeatedly come up very often now. Message pops up during many different scenarios: after charging, before charging, while charging, and during operation.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2019
“I went to a kia dealer for an oil change and was then informed there were 3 open recalls on my vehicle. I received no notification by mail, email or phone. The repairs were to take 5 hours. I made an appointment to do the repairs and left the car there the entire day and had to be shuttled 20 miles back and forth twice that day. They were not competent enough to order the parts but were content to have me waste my entire day and tell me to come back again next week. The incompetent dealer is kia on battleground in greensboro.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2019
“The transmission fails to engage immediately to the gear shifted to. When stationary and with the vehicle in reverse, if you proceed to press the accelerator and the vehicle starts to move backwards, the vehicle will continue to roll in the reverse direction even after switching the gear selector to drive and pressing the accelerator. This problem happens when switching from either drive to reverse or reverse to drive.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Niro Phev years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Niro Phev by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Kia Niro Phev reliable?
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2018 Kia Niro Phev. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2018 Kia Niro Phev have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning power train. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.