2017 Kia Niro Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2017 Kia Niro ranks 2nd worst out of 9 model years, with a complaint index of 88 and 4 recalls. Owners report engine problems most often (41% of complaints), followed by electrical system faults (28%) and transmission issues (23%).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 88/100
- #2 of 9 Niro years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 82
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 49
- 51 city / 46 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2017 Kia Niro problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine34 (41%)
- Electrical System23 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain19 (23%)
- Fuel System12 (15%)
- Other12 (15%)
- Structure & Body8 (10%)
- Steering7 (9%)
- Brakes3 (4%)
- Airbags2 (2%)
- Lane Departure1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission slipping out of park on its own while parked with the engine off, allowing the car to roll into another vehicle.
- Some describe the Power Relay Assembly overheating and melting even after prior recall repairs, in one case years after the fix was supposedly completed.
- Multiple owners report smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment while driving, forcing them to pull over.
- One owner reported the power steering warning light coming on with steering becoming very difficult just after taking delivery of the car.
- A door handle came apart in one owner's hands, leaving the door impossible to open from inside.
- One owner reported airbags failing to deploy during a rear-end crash at highway speed.
2017 Kia Niro recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns 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.
- NHTSA 22V836000Nov 11, 2022Fuel System27,030 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V666000Sep 25, 2018Fuel System27,030 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
Risk: 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.
2017 Kia Niro fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 51 MPG
- Highway
- 46 MPG
- Combined
- 49 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Niro years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Kia Niro reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Niro a complaint index of 88, the second-worst of the 9 model years covered, with an Avoid verdict relative to other Niro years.
- What problems does the 2017 Kia Niro have?
- Engine complaints make up 41% of reports, electrical system issues 28%, and transmission/powertrain problems 23%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2017 Kia Niro have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2017 Niro, covering the hydraulic clutch actuator, the Power Relay Assembly, and related fuel system components.
- What year Kia Niro should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2017 and 2023 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 88 and 100 respectively, while 2021 and 2025 are rated Best.
- What is the median mileage for engine complaints on the 2017 Niro?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 97,000 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2017 Niro.