2019 Kia Niro Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#5 most-complained of 9 Niro years
The 2019 Kia Niro has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 5th worst out of 9 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 56 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 death, with Transmission & Powertrain the top problem area at 39% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 56
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 49
- 51 city / 46 hwy
Top 2019 Kia Niro problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (39%)
- Engine15 (27%)
- Electrical System14 (25%)
- Brakes10 (18%)
- Fuel System8 (14%)
- Other6 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (5%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Structure & Body2 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the gear shift indicator showing reverse while the vehicle actually moves forward without warning.
- Some describe the car jerking and making a loud noise when pulling away from a stop, reportedly linked to incorrect transmission fluid used during production.
- Others report sudden loss of power or the vehicle stopping unpredictably in a traffic lane, requiring a tow.
- One owner reported the engine overheating with the check engine light on, followed by a converter replacement and recurring failure.
- A driver reported air conditioning failure followed by illumination of the HEV and oil warning lights, with metal shards later found in the engine.
- One owner reported brakes failing to respond during a hard stop, resulting in a collision with no prior warning signs.
2019 Kia Niro 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.
2019 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.
2019 compared with other Niro years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Kia Niro reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Niro a Complaint Index of 50, ranking it 5th worst among the 9 model years with data, so it carries a Caution verdict compared to other Niro years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 Kia Niro?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 39% of complaints (22 of 56), with a median mileage at failure of 54,700 miles, followed by Engine issues at 27%.
- Does the 2019 Kia Niro have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2019 Niro, covering a hydraulic clutch actuator where fluid can leak onto the printed circuit board, potentially causing an engine compartment fire risk; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2019 Niro compare to other years?
- The 2019 Niro's Complaint Index of 50 is worse than 2018 (25), 2020 (13), and 2021 (0), all rated Good or Best, but better than 2022, 2023, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 75, 100, and 88.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Kia Niro?
- The EPA rates the 2019 Niro at 49 mpg combined (51 city / 46 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,300.