[jmurphEV]

Dropped the car off at the dealer. It was a bit of touch and go because even though my wife had called to schedule the appointment and they knew waphat the issue was, when I got there the service guy wasn’t sure what part was needed for the repair or if they even had it in stock. But they took the car and the repair was done under warranty the same day. I tested to make sure that I could unlock the car with the button and so far so good.

Good to hear, especially since we mostly hear about dealer service horror stories around here.

 

[vangone]

I wonder how common this is. I pulled next to another Niro yesterday at a traffic light and saw that their driver side button was missing--not sure of the model year. My Niro is the first car I have owned with keyless entry that I have had to use the button to unlock--the others just required me to touch the exterior door handle. If I wanted to open all of the doors with the other cars I would touch the driver side rear door handle. The button on my Niro seems to be some type of plastic. Were the buttons on the earlier years also plastic or were they made of an elastic or rubber compound?

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

I wonder how common this is. I pulled next to another Niro yesterday at a traffic light and saw that their driver side button was missing--not sure of the model year. My Niro is the first car I have owned with keyless entry that I have had to use the button to unlock--the others just required me to touch the exterior door handle. If I wanted to open all of the doors with the other cars I would touch the driver side rear door handle. The button on my Niro seems to be some type of plastic. Were the buttons on the earlier years also plastic or were they made of an elastic or rubber compound?

The button on my 2018 is a hard plastic. My wife did some googling and found a Reddit thread where it seems to be a pretty common issue. ☹

 

[FlNiro]

The button on my 2018 is a hard plastic. My wife did some googling and found a Reddit thread where it seems to be a pretty common issue. ☹

Yes I think it's the whole button that falls out, not a plastic cover? The hard black plastic is the button, right?

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

Yes I think it's the whole button that falls out, not a plastic cover? The hard black plastic is the button, right?

Right. The black plastic button was missing leaving a hole where it used to be and you could see the little green circuit board in the exposed opening. I covered it with some masking tape so no water would get in.

 

[FlNiro]

If you used Duck tape maybe it work work again

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

If you used Duck tape maybe it work work again

Or the car might quack instead of beep when I open it.

 

[FlNiro]

Or the car might quack instead of beep when I open it.

That was a GOOD one!

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

Ugh! Now the passenger side button fell out. Luckily I found it on the garage floor and put it back in but I’m sure it’s going to pop out again as soon as some shuts the door. Why is this part so poorly designed? Is the button breaking off a larger piece inside of the handle or is it just staying in there with tension?

I have a 2018. Is the door handle better designed in the newer models or is this still a problem.

 

[FlNiro]

Ugh! Now the passenger side button fell out. Luckily I found it on the garage floor and put it back in but I’m sure it’s going to pop out again as soon as some shuts the door. Why is this part so poorly designed? Is the button breaking off a larger piece inside of the handle or is it just staying in there with tension?

I have a 2018. Is the door handle better designed in the newer models or is this still a problem.

I'd be interested in knowing that too? Are you taking it back to the dealer? Ask them and let us know. In the mean time use more duck tape. Instead of 2 swans a swimming you'll have to ducks a quacking

 

[vangone]

Ugh! Now the passenger side button fell out. Luckily I found it on the garage floor and put it back in but I’m sure it’s going to pop out again as soon as some shuts the door. Why is this part so poorly designed? Is the button breaking off a larger piece inside of the handle or is it just staying in there with tension?

I have a 2018. Is the door handle better designed in the newer models or is this still a problem.

Can you get this side replaced under warranty like you did the drivers side?

Since this seems to be a prevalent problem I wonder if KIA will extend the warranty coverage for this?

 

[SDeemer]

Got a 2005 Prius with over 150k on it about 2 years ago...

I did a test drive in a Prius around 2005. I absolutely hated it. Uncomfortable seats, annoying dashboard design, skimpy rear headroom, and poor handling. I was amazed at how much HEV design had changed when I took a test drive in a 2023 Niro.

For 2023, the Niro door lock design has been changed, so that there is no longer a black button, and the key lock is hidden under a cover at the back of the door handle assembly. I have mixed feelings about the change. It's probably more secure because you have to pop the cover to get to the key lock, but doing so is far from intuitive.

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

Can you get this side replaced under warranty like you did the drivers side?

Since this seems to be a prevalent problem I wonder if KIA will extend the warranty coverage for this?

I’m still under 5 years so I should still be covered but it’s the inconvenience of either going and waiting for who know how long at the dealer or arranging a family member to pick me up and drop me off. If it’s something I can replace myself I’d just do it but it seems like you can’t just replace the cover, you have replace the whole handle.

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

I did a test drive in a Prius around 2005. I absolutely hated it. Uncomfortable seats, annoying dashboard design, skimpy rear headroom, and poor handling. I was amazed at how much HEV design had changed when I took a test drive in a 2023 Niro.

For 2023, the Niro door lock design has been changed, so that there is no longer a black button, and the key lock is hidden under a cover at the back of the door handle assembly. I have mixed feelings about the change. It's probably more secure because you have to pop the cover to get to the key lock, but doing so is far from intuitive.

View attachment 8435​

Wow that looks weird

 

[Nouseformonkeys]

I'd be interested in knowing that too? Are you taking it back to the dealer? Ask them and let us know. In the mean time use more duck tape. Instead of 2 swans a swimming you'll have to ducks a quacking

And seven swans a-swimming. I will take it back to the dealer like I did the first time but what a pain. I need to tell my family to not use the button and just use the remote. It’s more convenient for them (all women) since they don’t have to dig the remote out of the purse). I’m used to pulling the keys out of my pocket to unlock.

 

[FlNiro]

And seven swans a-swimming. I will take it back to the dealer like I did the first time but what a pain. I need to tell my family to not use the button and just use the remote. It’s more convenient for them (all women) since they don’t have to dig the remote out of the purse). I’m used to pulling the keys out of my pocket to unlock.

Oh **** your right! It's 2 turtle doves...right? Leave it to me to screw up a good joke