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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Kia Niro Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
32%of 60 total for the year
Median mileage
113,832miles
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 2018 Kia Niro, 32% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 113,832 miles. 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.

“I was driving on the freeway. After slowed down and stopped completely, suddenly it lose power to run. Trying to step deeper the gas pedal, but no reaction at all. After turn off and turn on engine few times, it can run again, but this time, the real problem occur. The engine sounds so loud..it's hybrid car supposed to so quiet (that's what sounds usually). Later on, I found out how to still can drove it, but with high risk suddenly lose power on the street. Later found out, when the car in motion, the hybrid system didn't worked completely, and the transmission sound very rough. …”

NHTSA complaint #11222226, filed 2019-06, 10 miles

“I am reporting a safety issue involving my 2018 Kia Niro hybrid related to the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA), which is currently subject to a recall addressing fire risk. My vehicle has already had the recall remedy performed, which consisted of inspection and installation of a lower-amperage fuse. The dealer confirmed that the actuator is leaking fluid but did not replace it because there was no evidence of PCB contamination, which is the condition required under the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11731040, filed 2026-04

“The dealership is falsely reporting to Kia Corporate and the NHTSA that Recall SC276 is 'completed' by only replacing a fuse. They are refusing to replace the actively leaking, fire-hazardous Hydraulic Clutch Actuator unless I pay an out-of-pocket diagnostic fee. They are violating federal recall safety mandates by trying to release a vehicle with an active, un-repaired recall leak.”

NHTSA complaint #11764305, filed 2026-09

“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge became elevated, and the vehicle stalled. The message Check Hybrid System - Turn Engine Off was displayed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was serviced under the recall; however, the vehicle was still inoperable, and additional diagnostic tests were needed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11757679, filed 2026-08, 158,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Niro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was turned off and restarted to reset the transmission, but the vehicle failed to respond while in reverse(R). The vehicle was shifted to drive(D) but failed to respond. The vehicle was shifted into park(P). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission fuse and the hydraulic clutch actuator had failed and that the transmission needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11728259, filed 2026-03, 175,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202516%
2024220%
2023614%
2022413%
2021333%
2020821%
20192239%
20181932%
20171923%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Niro

Electrical system
18 complaints
Engine
17 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Seats
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