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Before you buy a used Kia Niro (II).

2022–2026 · Hybrid / Plug-in hybrid / Electric · 3 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

Kia Niro (II), real photo of this generation
Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo source

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

1.6 GDi Hybrid · 1.6 GDi Plug-in Hybrid

1.6 GDi Hybrid (Hybrid) · 1.6 GDi Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid)

Niro EV

Electric

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Kia Niro (II)
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
1.6 GDi HybridHybridFewest documented11 with conditions4
1.6 GDi Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFewest documented11 with conditions4
Niro EVElectric22 with conditions4

According to the data we have, the engines with the fewest documented faults are: 1.6 GDi Hybrid (Hybrid), 1.6 GDi Plug-in Hybrid (Plug-in hybrid).

By fuel type, the ones with the fewest documented faults are: Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Kia dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Instrument cluster that goes blank (Niro II and Sportage V)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check campaigns 230S15 and 231025 by VIN; if the cluster goes blank, do not drive without a speedometer or warning lights.

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Recall: wiring under the passenger seat on the Niro IIElectrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check by VIN whether the campaign exists in your country; if the airbag warning comes on, ask for the codes to be read.

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Kia wheel, axle and suspension recalls (2024–2026)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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Kia engine, transmission and software recalls (2004–2025)Powertrain and engine management

How to check it: Check by VIN whether any of the recalls is outstanding (at the dealer or on the DVSA website) and carry out the inspection or replacement it requires.

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On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 3 checked

Gearbox

  • Look out for: Fault light and code P074A73 (second gear will not engage); on the hybrid, loss of power with “Check hybrid system, stop safely”, hybrid-system, service and charging warning lights and beeping for about ten seconds.

    Ask them to check: Read codes P074A73 and P1BB2 and ask Kia by VIN whether bulletin TRA106 and the battery update have been applied.

Cooling

  • Look out for: A "refill coolant" message on the dashboard and a heater that warms less and less; sometimes drops of fluid under the front.

    Ask them to check: Do not open the coolant reservoir when hot. It is a high-voltage car: at a qualified garage, have them check the electric water pump hose connector.

High-voltage battery

  • Look out for: Slow or no charging on a household socket or AC wallbox (it does charge on fast chargers); “Check electric vehicle system” or “Stop vehicle and check power supply” messages and the fault light.

    Ask them to check: Try charging on AC as well as on a fast charger, read the codes and ask Kia by VIN whether bulletin ELE298 has been applied.

OBD codes worth looking for

If they let you read the fault memory with an OBD reader, these are the codes mentioned in this model's sheets:

P074A73P1BB2P1A9096P1A8C19P0D3E1CP0D4D1C

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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