2020 Kia Niro Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 21%of 39 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Kia Niro, 21% of the 39 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,750 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #11579317, filed 2024-03, 27,500 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that another warning light of an HEV failure had occurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #11570713, filed 2024-02, 30,000 miles“What's malfunctioning: coolant monitoring system shows low coolant warning when coolant level is observably fine. Problem has been ongoing for over a year. Available for inspection: yes. Safety problem: coolant monitoring is inaccurate, causing alarm when coolant levels are fine and possibly causing no alarm when coolant levels are too low. Problem reproduced: yes, by both dealer and independent service center. Vehicle inspected by manufacturer: yes. They attempted service but their repair only lasted a few months. Symptoms prior to failure: no. …”
NHTSA complaint #11746979, filed 2026-06“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11555605, filed 2023-11“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11555058, filed 2023-11Related 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…
- 10201527Sep 15, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: HCU/LDC LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR P-DTC (SA484) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Hybrid Control…
- 10187822Feb 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 6-SPEED DCT SHIFT IMPACT/NOISE INSPECTION AND OIL REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides the inspection method and procedure on some 2019-2020MY Niro…
- 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 2020 Kia Niro
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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