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BrakesPart report

2018 Kia Niro Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
10%of 60 total for the year
Median mileage
1,800miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Kia Niro, 10% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,800 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“Purchased the vehicle with safety tech package which includes aeb (auto emergency braking) and vehicle did not stop even when I applied full brakes to prevent a collision. The main reason I purchased this vehicle was for this safety feature.”

NHTSA complaint #11099431, filed 2018-06, 1,800 miles

“Car failed to stop twice - almost ran a red light. Brakes depressed and felt no pressure in brake line. Dealership has fixed brake issues with car only being 6 months old in 2018 - same brake issues but now the car is not stopping sometimes.”

NHTSA complaint #11289838, filed 2019-12, 40,295 miles

“I'm 59 years old never have an accident or had to slam breaks on the guy in front of me slammed his breaks on so I did the same time the brake pedal was to the floor the car didn't even slowed down and not even skid marks hit him then air bags deployed the car was totaled no one got hurt thank God I do t know if any other kia cars had this problem I got real lucky”

NHTSA complaint #11657629, filed 2025-04

“An alert to check regenerative brakes popped up on the dashboard screen. My younger sister who is borrowing our car, told me it now takes her much longer to come to a stop when braking. She's having to brake really early to stop on time but traffic and animals will not always allow for that. From what I am reading online, this is a common issue due to faulty 12v battery or a loose ground from said battery. The only way to fully engaged the conventional brakes (without the regenerative brakes) is to switch the car into neutral and then brake. …”

NHTSA complaint #11656054, filed 2025-04

“On 2/15/2022 around 10:00AM, I was driving my vehicle as normal. Noticed brake lights ahead, I was about 3 car lengths back, which I always try to drive since I am on the road a lot and I prefer not to have an accident. Well this time, I put my foot on the brake as normal and the vehicle felt like brakes were not even working, pushed harder with my foot and waited for that pumping feeling (which I have felt before) and literally nothing! Once I was about a car lengths away, I knew my vehicle was not stopping so I sat up straight and leaned back before the air bags deployed in my face. …”

NHTSA complaint #11452082, filed 2022-02

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202349%
2022826%
2020513%
20191018%
2018610%
201722%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Niro

Transmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Niro

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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