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SteeringPart report

2017 Kia Niro Steering Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
9%of 82 total for the year
Median mileage
10,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Kia Niro, 9% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles.

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.

“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

“Niro had been exhibiting increasingly frequent crunching noises in the steering mechanism at lower speeds, like backing up and in-town driving. Issue started in late June 2024 at about 67K miles. A few times the steering wheel grabbed on turning and I had to fight it back. I called the dealer for a diagnostic appointment and they said they couldn't see it until mid-August 2024. …”

NHTSA complaint #11604235, filed 2024-07

“- my car started releasing white smoke - i took it to repair shop, stated it was fixed, white smoke continued -car started overheating -Took it to KIA dealership and was told i was responsible for fuel leaking into engine, was told my car was not covered under warranty, I also have an extended warranty at the dealership which they wouldn't honor stating it was not covered -Recently while driving the car flashed Hybrid system Failure and shut off -I was unable to move the car -I had the car towed to the original dealer (wiz autos) and it has been there since May 2023, it is now 4 months and…”

NHTSA complaint #11543219, filed 2023-09

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel intermittently made an abnormal clicking sound upon turning the steering wheel in either direction without warning. Over time, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. …”

NHTSA complaint #11422740, filed 2021-06, 10,000 miles

“Steering malfunction. Very difficult to turn right or left, steering wheel refuses to turn. Rattling noise of metal hitting metal when turning right or left”

NHTSA complaint #11542483, filed 2023-09

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202516%
202325%
201924%
201779%

Other parts of the 2017 Kia Niro

Engine
29 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsFuel system
11 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 29, 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