The 2017 Kia Niro has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 202,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 109 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN23V5340002023-07-31121,411 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
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.
Consequence
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. …
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.
Consequence
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…
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Kia Niro vehicles. The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) inner oil seal may leak, allowing oil to accumulate in the cap area, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Consequence
An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HCA caps for leaked oil and replace the HCA assembly if needed, or replace the HCA cap with additional sealant. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
27
1fires
POWER TRAIN
16
1crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
15
2fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11
2crashes2fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
8
STEERING
7
STRUCTURE:BODY
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
1fires
Total complaints109
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Kia dealership (dch kia of temecula) repair order 237695 shows recall sc276 was 'passed' via inspection on october 16, 2025. However, the hydraulic clutch actuator has now suffered the exact fluid leak the recall warned about, destroying the slave cylinder. The dealership is refusing to honor the…”
“The vehicle experienced a dangerous driving failure due to a hydraulic clutch actuator system issue and was towed to kia delray. The authorized dealership has officially diagnosed the issue as a "brake/clutch fluid leak" (attached diagnostic estimate), which is exactly the hazardous condition…”
“The vehicle experienced a dangerous driving failure due to a hydraulic clutch actuator system issue and was towed to kia delray. The authorized dealership has officially diagnosed the issue as a "brake/clutch fluid leak" (attached diagnostic estimate), which is exactly the hazardous condition…”
“The contact owns a 2017 kia niro. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph on the highway, the vehicle jolted and shook abnormally. The electrical system warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost partial power. The engine and hybrid warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was…”
“The contact owns a 2017 kia niro. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph on the highway, the vehicle jolted and shook abnormally. The electrical system warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost partial power. The engine and hybrid warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was…”
“The hydraulic clutch actuator (hca) and the under hood wiring harness have failed due to internal fluid contamination and corrosion. Yes available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving. Per safety recall sc276, this component failure creates an…”
“The hydraulic clutch actuator (hca) and the under hood wiring harness have failed due to internal fluid contamination and corrosion. Yes available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving. Per safety recall sc276, this component failure creates an…”
“The hydraulic clutch actuator (hca) and the under hood wiring harness have failed due to internal fluid contamination and corrosion. Yes available for inspection. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power while driving. Per safety recall sc276, this component failure creates an…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2017 Kia Niro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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