KNOWN FAULTS · Kia

Known faults for the Kia Niro (I).

2016–2022 · Hybrid / Plug-in hybrid / Electric

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.6 GDi Hybrid (Hybrid) · 1.6 GDi Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid) · e-Niro (Electric)

Applies if: US bulletin for cars built up to September 2020; only with the driver-assistance front camera.

Driver assistance that switches off at times because of an internal front camera faultElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Sportage (IV) and Niro (I) with the driver-assistance front camera
Period mentioned: 2015–2020
Symptoms: The emergency braking light and the general warning triangle come on at times, and adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning or lane keeping assist stop working. Then they come back on their own.
Possible cause described: An internal control chip in the front camera (the one behind the interior mirror) fails and stores codes C1604-49 (hardware) or C1606-49 (software). Kia says to replace the camera (bulletin ELE231, April 2021, for Sportages built from May 2015 to September 2020 and Niros from April 2016 to September 2020).
Check for the garage: Clean the windscreen in front of the camera and note when it happens. At the garage, have them read the camera codes: with C1604-49 or C1606-49 the bulletin says to replace and calibrate it.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.6 GDi Hybrid (Hybrid) · 1.6 GDi Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid) · e-Niro (Electric)

12 V battery running flat on the Ioniq and NiroElectrical and electronic systems

Engine / equipment: Hyundai Ioniq and first-generation Kia Niro (hybrid, plug-in and electric)
Period mentioned: 2016–2022
Symptoms: In the morning the car will not start or switch on because the 12 V battery is flat, sometimes even after charging overnight. On the electric versions, the charge port sometimes does not lock and charging is impossible.
Possible cause described: Hidden consumers (charge management, door contacts, infotainment) drain the auxiliary battery; the exact cause is not confirmed and software and hardware updates are mentioned. On the electric Ioniq before the 2019 facelift, the small motor that locks the charging connector jams.
Check for the garage: Measure the 12 V battery and its standby drain; ask about software updates; if the connector does not lock, use the emergency release and replace the lock motor.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.6 GDi Hybrid (Hybrid)

Applies if: The Niro hybrid uses a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox: confirm the gearbox type.

Judder on the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox (7DCT)Automatic gearbox

Engine / equipment: 7-speed dry dual-clutch automatic (7DCT)
Period mentioned: Approx. 2015–2021
Symptoms: Abnormal vibration or shudder when pulling away and at low speed, especially in traffic.
Possible cause described: Dual-clutch behaviour at low speed; Hyundai and Kia issued technical bulletins with new gearbox software (anti-judder logic) and, if that is not enough, a clutch replacement.
Check for the garage: At the dealer: run the judder test with the diagnostic tool, install the latest gearbox software and replace the dual clutch only if the judder remains.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.