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Electrical systemPart report

2020 Kia Niro EV Electrical system Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
32%of 19 total for the year
Median mileage
55,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Kia Niro EV, 32% of the 19 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Faulty EPCU and circuit board damaged from coolant leak, as described by Kia technician. Other components have been affected. Estimated $3,000 in parts left to replace. Total repair cost is looking to exceed $13,000. On last failure of car, I was driving as the Electical Vehicle Systems error occurred and the car went into neutral and when it slowed down, went into Park. Car would start and drive 10-15 feet before becoming inoperable again. Dealership says they fixed by adding coolant and they couldn't replicate the error. It took me 200 ft of driving to do it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11569415, filed 2024-02

“About 7 months ago, Refill Inverter Coolant warning came up. Since then, I've scheduled service appoitment wtih Van Nuys Kia dealership 5 times to resolve this issue, but even after recent appoitment 2 weeks ago, this warning is still came up on my dashboard. Every time I start the car, the persistent refill inverter coolant light comes on. I believe I am experiencing this issue because KIA and their dealership where I bought my car doesn't want take ownership of this issue and resolve it. I am deeply concerned about my safety and the safety of my children when I drive my Kia vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11633536, filed 2025-01

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle following a charging session, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle while the coolant system warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery voltage decreased from 12 volts to 2 volts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and TSB: ELE270 was associated with the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11761948, filed 2026-09, 58,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that after charging the battery to 80 percent, the vehicle immediately turned off while reversing out of the charging station. After restarting the vehicle and driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who cleared the failure codes and tested drove the vehicle, but no failure was identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,972.”

NHTSA complaint #11501010, filed 2023-01, 17,972 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall on two separate occasions; however, the part failed a third time after the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer declined to offer additional repairs under the recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V899000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and associated the failures with the recall. The vehicle was driven to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11716865, filed 2026-02, 55,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024350%
2023853%
20221341%
2020632%
2019842%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Niro EV

Other or unknown
8 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia Niro EV

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology