VehicleVerdict

2023 Kia Niro Phev problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 10 complaints on file for the 2023 Kia Niro Phev — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

10

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other Niro Phev years?

Niro Phev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted33 complaints2018: 24 complaints2019: 33 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 16 complaints2023: 10 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 4 complaints
Niro Phev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Niro Phev years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Kia Niro Phev problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other440%
Driver Assistance330%
Transmission220%
Speed Control110%

Does the 2023 Kia Niro Phev have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V024000SeatsJanuary 17, 2025 · 80,255 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.

Consequence

Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.

23V298000Electrical SystemApril 26, 2023 · 108,936 units

Defect

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Consequence

A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Main screen goes blank randomly and also randomly switches between android auto and normal. This disrupts navigation and other functions and is both distracting and disruptive to driving which is dangerous. Dealership said there is no fix from Kia at this point so advised to file a complaint.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2023

“2023 Kia Niro electronic dash went blank, no speed indication, no adaptive cruise, no lane departure warning, no forward collision warning capabilities.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 27, 2025

“The contact owns a 2023 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into drive (D), the transmission failed to shift to the intended gear. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 15, 2023

“Unknown which component exactly as it does not throw a fault. I believe it to be transmission related as the behavior seems like a clutch to me, but dealership has not been able to confirm. Vehicle rolls freely in directions other than what is selected and does not respond to throttle input.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 23, 2023

2023 Kia Niro Phev — common questions

Is the 2023 Kia Niro Phev reliable?

The record is thin — 10 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2023 Niro Phev problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (4 complaints), driver assistance (3 complaints), transmission (2 complaints).

Does the 2023 Kia Niro Phev have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Kia Niro Phev. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Kia Niro Phev years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Niro Phev years to avoid are 2019. The cleanest record among Niro Phev years belongs to 2021.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.