YearToAvoid

2022 Kia Niro EV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 7 Niro EV years

The 2022 Kia Niro EV ranks worst among the 7 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 30 NHTSA complaints. It carries 2 recalls, including a high-voltage battery safety plug that can overheat and cause fire risk, and is rated Avoid relative to other Niro EV years.

Complaints
30
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2022 Kia Niro EV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other13 (43%)
  2. Electrical System12 (40%)
  3. Engine6 (20%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain6 (20%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (10%)
  6. Brakes2 (7%)
  7. Fuel System2 (7%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers2 (7%)
  9. Airbags1 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles have lost main battery power while driving, including at highway speeds, triggering "limited power" and "check electrical system" warnings.
  • Some owners report the car entering "turtle mode" randomly, forcing them to limp off the road when power drops.
  • After shifting into park, the vehicle has sometimes rolled forward or backward on its own before the driver applies the brakes.
  • One owner described unintended acceleration at low speed that led to a crash after the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately.
  • Adaptive cruise control has sometimes sped up unexpectedly when the radar lost track of the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic.
  • The vehicle has failed to start on multiple occasions, requiring a jump start, with dealers unable to find a cause.
2022 Kia Niro EV complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2021May 2022Sep 2022Jul 2023Dec 2023Oct 2024Jun 2025Jul 2026
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Jul 2023 (5).

2022 Kia Niro EV recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V426000Jun 20, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras11,327 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.

  2. NHTSA 24V358000May 21, 2024Electrical System2,209 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:shock protection

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Niro EV vehicles. The high voltage battery safety plug may overheat and melt, which can cause a loss of drive power or fire.

    Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash, and a fire increases the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicle in a garage or any other covered structure until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the safety plug, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Kia's number for this recall is SC314.

2022 compared with other Niro EV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Caution50192—
2021No verdict021—
2022Avoid100302—
2023Avoid83153—
2024Caution6762—

All Kia Niro EV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Niro EV reliable?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 Niro EV has the highest complaint index (100) among the 7 model years with data and is rated Avoid relative to other Niro EV years. It has 30 complaints and 2 recalls, with the Electrical System as the top problem area at 40% of complaints.
What is the main problem with the 2022 Kia Niro EV?
The Electrical System accounts for 40% of complaints (12 of 30), including reports of lost battery power and limited-power warnings while driving. Engine and Transmission & Powertrain issues each account for another 20%.
Does the 2022 Kia Niro EV have a recall?
Yes, it has 2 recalls. One covers a rearview camera circuit board that can fail to display an image, and another covers a high-voltage battery safety plug that may overheat and melt, risking loss of drive power or fire.
How does the 2022 Niro EV compare to other Niro EV years?
The 2022 model has the worst complaint index (100) among the 7 years with data, worse than 2019 (33, Good), 2020 (50, Caution), 2023 (83, Avoid), and 2024 (67, Caution).
How many complaints has NHTSA received for the 2022 Kia Niro EV?
NHTSA has logged 30 complaints for the 2022 Niro EV, including 4 crashes and 1 injury, with a median mileage at failure of 9,500 miles for some reported failures.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.