2018 Kia Niro
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 24 of 71 complaints (34%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Brakes include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 79 in 2017 to 71 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 43–50 | 43–50 | 43–50 | 43–50 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 46–52 / 40–49 | 46–52 / 40–49 | 46–52 / 40–49 | 46–52 / 40–49 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 177–207 | 177–207 | 177–207 | 177–207 | |
| Complaints filed | 79 | 71 | 98 | 62 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Niro have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Kia Niro?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 24 of 71 NHTSA complaints (34%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Niro get?
EPA rates it 43–50 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Kia Niro?
EPA estimates $1,250–$1,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 51 mpg | 46 mpg | 49 mpg | $1,250 (low) | 183 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 52 mpg (high) | 49 mpg (high) | 50 mpg (high) | $1,250 (low) | 177 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 46 mpg (low) | 40 mpg (low) | 43 mpg (low) | $1,450 (high) | 207 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Station Wagons | 48 mpg | 44 mpg | 46 mpg | $1,350 | 90 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CLUTCHES/BANDS:ACTUATORS/SOLENOIDS · Campaign 23V534000 · Aug 1, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 22V836000 · Nov 14, 2022
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.
Consequence: Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 18V666000 · Oct 1, 2018
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
Consequence: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.