2017 Kia Niro Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
63/100
#4 most-complained of 9 Niro years
The 2017 Kia Niro has a Complaint Index of 63, ranking 4th-worst among 9 model years, with a Caution verdict. It carries 82 complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 reported fires, with engine problems being the top issue.
- Complaints
- 82
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 49
- 51 city / 46 hwy
Top 2017 Kia Niro problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision at highway speed, leaving occupants without protection.
- The transmission has slipped out of park while parked with the engine off, causing the vehicle to roll into another car.
- Engine compartments have emitted smoke and caught fire while driving, in some cases fully engulfing the vehicle in flames.
- The Power Relay Assembly has shown repeated thermal damage even after being replaced under a prior recall, leading to the car failing to start or catching fire.
- Power steering warning lights have appeared shortly after purchase, with steering becoming very difficult to control.
- Door handles have come apart in owners' hands, leaving the door inoperable and potentially trapping occupants.
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 63 and a Caution verdict, making it the 4th-worst of 9 model years for reported problems. Engine complaints are the largest category at 41% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Kia Niro?
- NHTSA lists Engine complaints as the top problem area (34 complaints, 41% share), followed by Electrical System issues (23 complaints, 28% share) and Transmission & Powertrain concerns (19 complaints, 23% share).
- Does the 2017 Kia Niro have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2017 Kia Niro, covering the fuel system Power Relay Assembly (two separate campaigns) and the hydraulic clutch actuator in the transmission.
- Are there fire risks with the 2017 Kia Niro?
- NHTSA complaint data records 5 fires reported for the 2017 Niro, several tied to Electrical System and Engine issues, including melted Power Relay Assemblies.
- How does the 2017 Niro compare to other model years?
- The 2017 Niro has a Complaint Index of 63, worse than 2018 (25), 2019 (50), 2020 (13), and 2021 (0), but better than 2022 (75), 2023 (100), and 2024 (88), which carry Avoid verdicts.