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Electrical systemPart report

2017 Kia Niro Electrical system Problems

Complaints
23about this part
Share
28%of 82 total for the year
Median mileage
9,750miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Kia Niro, 28% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,750 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“Leased the 2017 Kia NIRO ex hybrid car, late sunday, february 19, 2017 and drove home 10+ miles. Odometer had 15 miles at start. Left the car in the garage for two days and attempted to drive it early wednesday, february 22, 2017 at 4am. Backing out of the garage and was steering onto the street when the power steering warning light came on and steering was very difficult and noisy (growling) - vibrating while turning the wheel itself. Pulled back into the garage and all warning lights came on. Shut the car off and retried several times. Waited with the car idling. …”

NHTSA complaint #10957721, filed 2017-02, 30 miles

“Back seat got warm & later that morning car engine would not start but lights in vehicle came on. Appt made w/dealer who after a week hadn't done diagnostics nor checked battery & main hybrid fuse as I had requested. I towed to a service garage who upon starting to open the box covering battery, found battery had kindof exploded & bulged. …”

NHTSA complaint #11496486, filed 2022-12

“My car slowed, smelled hot, and then transmission overheat light came on approximately 130 miles from my home. I had it towed to nearest Kia service due to my warranty, Lehighton Kia dealer by AAA (Kia roadside wanted $293). Dealer claimed it was Clutch Actuator (said nothing about recall) and claim to be attempting to confirm warranty with Zurich for days with no success, I had no issue calling Zurich to confirm warranty would cover it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11563216, filed 2024-01

“During first recall 18V-666, Kia stated that I received a new PRA in September 2019 per recall instructions. July 2023, my car would not turn on and was sent to same Kia dealership. Recall 22V-836 applies to my car, and my PRA shows sign of thermal damage yet again. Both main relays that were replaced in 2019 were of Panasonic, yet, the PRA was melted to the point that the wire harness also needs replacing. This is 2 fire incidences in my 2017 Kia Niro in less than 3.5 years, on the same part.”

NHTSA complaint #11536505, filed 2023-08

“The vehicle's hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) has failed and is actively leaking fluid onto the printed circuit board (PCB), creating an immediate electrical short and engine bay fire hazard. This failure is identical to the defect detailed in Safety Recall SC276 (NHTSA Campaign 23V534). As indicated by a search of my VIN, the vehicle was brought in by us previously when we learned there was a recall, and the recall was officially marked completed in the NHTSA database. However, the dealership at the time claimed the vehicle was not affected by the recall, stating there was nothing wrong. …”

NHTSA complaint #11764064, filed 2026-09

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025318%
2024330%
20231432%
2022723%
2021222%
2020821%
20191323%
20181830%
20172328%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Niro

Engine
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Kia Niro

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