2020 Kia Niro PHEV Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
14/100
#7 most-complained of 8 Niro PHEV years
The 2020 Kia Niro PHEV ranks as the Best year among 8 model years, with a complaint index of 14 and just 5 complaints on file. It has 1 recall, for a hydraulic clutch actuator fluid leak, but no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2020 Kia Niro PHEV problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (40%)
- Brakes1 (20%)
- Steering1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
What owners report
- Owners report a "check active air flap system" warning appearing within the first week of ownership and around 50 miles.
- Steering wheel bearings reportedly wear out and go bad well before expected, even outside typical low-mileage use.
- Some owners describe the left front wheel locking or skidding momentarily during braking in heavy traffic.
- Owners report factory paint flaking and peeling off the body while driving at highway speed.
- One owner noted a delay in obtaining the hydraulic clutch actuator part for the transmission recall repair.
2020 Kia Niro PHEV recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V534000Jul 31, 2023Transmission & Powertrain121,411 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 compared with other Niro PHEV years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV reliable?
- Among 8 model years of the Niro PHEV, 2020 ranks as the Best year, with a complaint index of 14, the lowest along with other recent years, and only 5 complaints logged with NHTSA.
- What problems does the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV have?
- NHTSA lists 5 complaints for 2020, split across Transmission & Powertrain (2 complaints, 40% share), Brakes, Steering, and Structure & Body (1 complaint each). No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported.
- Does the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV have a recall?
- Yes, one recall, campaign 23V534000, covers a hydraulic clutch actuator where fluid may leak onto the printed circuit board, potentially causing an engine issue. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2020 Niro PHEV compare to other years?
- 2020 has a complaint index of 14 and ranks 7th worst out of the years listed, meaning it performs better than 2019 (complaint index 100, Avoid), 2018 (57, Caution), and 2022 (71, Caution).
- What is the top problem area for the 2020 Kia Niro PHEV?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area, accounting for 2 of 5 complaints (40%), with a reported median mileage at failure of 50 miles.