NHTSA vehicle safety data
2020 Kia Niro Phev Recalls & Complaints
The 2020 Kia Niro Phev has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 5 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2020 Kia Niro Phev. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2020 Kia Niro Phev owner complaints
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Niro Phev, describing incidents dated October 15, 2020 to September 21, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 2 complaints
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
- Steering 1 complaint
- Structure 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11625509 · Filed
On [XXX], Flakes of paint starting peeling away and flew over the windshield while simply driving along an interstate highway at 65 MPH on a calm, dry and sunny day in CO. (A factory paint application defect of the SWP paint color is a common owner complaint) Issue reported to Kia Customer Service…
ODI #11615809 · Filed
The vehicle locks the left wheel when braking. It skids and brakes in one simultaneous action. It doesn't happen often but occasionally if I'm in heavy traffic. I reported this problem to the Kia dealer who found no problem. I really feel that this requires investigation as it could cause an…
ODI #11553199 · Filed
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2020 Kia Niro Phev in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Defect Petition DP22-005: Pedestrian alert sounds
Closed August 7, 2023
Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA #23V534000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Internal — Clutches/Bands — Actuators/Solenoids · NHTSA notice
Reported July 31, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 121,411 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.04% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC276 · Owners notified December 29, 2023
Defect description
Kia 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 the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Safety consequence
A fire increases the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Other Kia Niro Phev model years
Check your 2020 Kia Niro Phev VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Niro Phev at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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