2017 Kia Niro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 23%of 82 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,760miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Niro, 23% of the 82 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,760 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While parked and engine off, the transmission slipped out of park and rolled back into another vehicle. No one was in the vehicle at the time. When I returned to the vehicle, it was still showing it in park and off.”
NHTSA complaint #11343331, filed 2020-08, 37,000 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“I received a warning indication that the engine temperature is too hot while driving the vehicle to work. I opened the hood of my vehicle and discovered the vehicle’s coolant reservoir was empty which led me to believe there was a coolant leak. I took the vehicle to be inspected and diagnosed by an independent repair shop (non-dealership) and it was explained that there was in fact a coolant leak and it’s because the exhaust heater exchanger is failing. …”
NHTSA complaint #11615128, filed 2024-09“Hybrid System Failure due to overheating Overheating due to coolant leak into resorvoir My car started having white smoke come from exhaust during driving Took to the repair shop, repaired the coolant reservoir next day, same issue took back to the service tech stated they couldn't find the leak, but the reservoir was empty. Took the car for a second opinion, the service people had my car all day, after picking up, was told by the repairman that it was the engine and KIA is aware of it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11550994, filed 2023-10“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 2026-09Related recalls
- 23V534000Jul 31, 2023Kia 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…Covers: Kia Niro 2017–2022, Niro Phev 2018–2022
Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 20% |
| 2023 | 6 | 14% |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% |
| 2021 | 3 | 33% |
| 2020 | 8 | 21% |
| 2019 | 22 | 39% |
| 2018 | 19 | 32% |
| 2017 | 19 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2017 Kia Niro
29 complaintsElectrical system
23 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 30, 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