2019 Kia Niro EV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
33/100
#5 most-complained of 7 Niro EV years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2019 Kia Niro EV has a Complaint Index of 33, the lowest among model years with data, and ranks 5th worst out of 7 years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Niro EV years. NHTSA lists 17 complaints, 1 crash, and no recalls for this year.
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2019 Kia Niro EV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (47%)
- Electrical System6 (35%)
- Engine4 (24%)
- Brakes3 (18%)
- Other2 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle stalling without warning while driving at moderate speed with the accelerator depressed.
- Drivers describe a dashboard warning to stop and check regenerative brakes, accompanied by a sudden and severe loss of braking power.
- Some owners report the engine seizing on startup with a failure to shift into gear, sometimes requiring transmission motor replacement.
- Owners describe a recurring 'refill inverter coolant' or 'low inverter coolant level' warning that dealers were unable to resolve, even when coolant was not actually low.
- A motor rumble is reported due to misalignment of the traction motor and reduction gear, described by one owner as a known issue addressed only by a technical bulletin, not a recall.
- One owner reported all four tires cracking at the sidewall and tread after about 15 months of use.
2019 Kia Niro EV recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2019 compared with other Niro EV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Kia Niro EV reliable?
- Among Niro EV model years, 2019 has the lowest Complaint Index at 33 and ranks 5th worst out of 7 years tracked, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Kia Niro EV?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 47% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 35% and Engine issues at 24%.
- Does the 2019 Kia Niro EV have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2019 Kia Niro EV, compared to 2 recalls for 2020 and 3 recalls for 2023.
- At what mileage do 2019 Niro EV problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints for the 2019 Niro EV is 8,050 miles, with Transmission & Powertrain complaints reported at a median of 5,150 miles.
- How does the 2019 Niro EV compare to the 2022 Niro EV?
- The 2022 Niro EV has a Complaint Index of 100 and carries an 'Avoid' verdict, much worse than the 2019 model's Complaint Index of 33 and 'Good' verdict.