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How reliable is a high-mileage Kia Niro Hybrid (2017-2019)?

1.7K views 26 replies 11 participants last post by  ldycrml916  
#1 ·
Hi everyone,

I'm planning to buy a used Kia Niro Hybrid (2017-2019) with around 120,000 to 150,000 km (approx. 75k-93k miles).

I'm trying to understand how many more kilometers I can realistically expect from it without facing major, expensive repairs. What is a typical total lifespan for these cars? My main goal is to avoid unexpected high costs.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
#2 ·
Since the Niro has only been around for about 7-8 years, there's no real long-term data on that. We have had several members here with over 200,000 miles and still going fine.
 
#3 ·
Generally hybrids last longer than ICE only cars as there is considerably less stress on the engine (even though they typically are detuned and not high horsepower. Those worried about an expensive battery replacement shouldn't be. There are original year Prius cars still going strong without a battery replacement. Typically hybrid batteries do not "wear out" because of very conservative battery management that keep them optimally charged for longevity (in the middle of their range). Seem to be rare in Niro HEVs, and in their mechanical twin the Hyundai Ioniq.
 
#4 · (Edited)
A similar was asked recently in /r/KiaNiro/. Your question about "typical total lifespan" cannot be answered.

I have read reports of Niros going up to 640,000 km without significant maintenance issues. I have also seen reports of problems as soon as driven off the dealer's lot. Personally, I would not buy a used car (not just a Niro) without a "certified" guarantee by the dealer. Cars have become very complicated. Most are far more reliable than their counterparts in the 20th century, but there are always variations.

I bought a new Niro HEV SX in January 2023. It turned 32,000 miles/51,500 km this week. It has had very few, always minor problems. Overall, it's the best car I have ever owned, but a few others have had different experiences.
 
#7 ·
I think in the US 2017 was the first year the Niro was available. I seem to remember that KIA started producing them in 2016, so conceivably some could have been sold that year in Korea and maybe the EU? Not sure how the EU or Asia titles their model years. The OP has a flag from the Netherlands under his screen name.
 
#10 ·
I don't know what the future holds, but I am at the mileage you are considering and it's been going just fine, so my expectation is that it will be just fine at least for the next 50 000km. While it depends how much you will be paying for and what you will be using if for, I don't notice a difference in how my car behave between 2018 and 2025. More details below:

I am currently at 154 666 km (96,105 miles) with a 2018 Niro FE, living in NE. During the first 3 years I didn't didn't drive must (commuter rail during weekday, Niro during weekend). For the past 4 years I average 60 mi (96.6 km) daily, and rarely have a day of the week or weekend when I don't drive. I still get 60 mpg during the summer and 45 in winter (3.92 and 5.3 L/100 km, respectively).

Besides regular maintenance appointments every 7,500mi, all done at the dealer where I bought the car, since they're great, I had the breaks changed once year 4 because of rusts due to the car not drive much. Earlier this week at my 90,000mi maintenance, they said the breaks looked great when asked. I also just had them install my second set of tires, (Yoko Avid Ascend GT, noticeably better handling than OEM Michelin, but I think I am experiencing a 5 mpg drop). One of TPMS sensor went bad so they put a new one ($45). They told me one of the rear camber/caster/toe bolt is seized, so they couldn't align it to 0 degree, but it's barely off and should not notice any impact. But next time I need an alignment at the 120,000mi appointment they will have to change both (~$220 ea). Since most Americans change their car at 100,000mi they assumed I would do the same. Not so fast...

Other small things:
My 60lbs daughter broke the handle on the passenger door, just based on how she's been pulling it to get in, so they fixed that. That's a known styling issues with Kia/Hyundai handles.
One of the rear positioning light went bad a couple years ago so I replaced both, myself.
I detail my car 3-4 times a year. I wish I did it way more often, but I don't have time or a garage. In parking lot, my car paint still looks better than an equivalent old car whose getting the Scrubadub/car wash treatment. Kia/Hyundai's paint is pretty soft, average in thickness, so not the best but it's looking good so far.
I only fuel at stations with Top Tier gas.

The only two times I have used the sport mode was to force the compression while going down a very steep hills while on vacation. Otherwise, in Eco mode, flooring the pedal gets me from a side street into a 50 mph blvd with Boston drivers at 65 mph traffic just fine.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Only 66k miles on my 2018 Niro LX. Not to jinx things for myself - but I must echo what
SDeemer said - it is the best car I have owned in over 40 years of owning a dozen or so different cars.
Only replacement/repair:
New Tires. Also had to add a few spoonfuls of brake fluid last year as I think the Arizona heat 'boiled off' some fluid. :)
That fixed a mushy brake issue. As folks say though: YMMV. Good luck.
 
#12 ·
Hi-

I had a 2018 and drove it 120,000 mi and besides brakes, oil changes and tires, I never had an issue. Unfortunately I thought with such high mileage I should get something newer so I sold it to my nephew who is now driving it. I replaced it with a CPO 2022 Niro. Same car, just newer. Five weeks after I bought it, it overheated and died on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere (mm 65 on Alligator Alley if you know FL). That was Jan 9th (7 months ago) and it has been sitting at the Kia dealer ever since. It needs a new engine (head gaksket is blown) and even though it has the balance of the factory warranty AND the Certified Pre-owned warranty, they want ME to pay for it!!!!!!
All I did was drive it for 5 weeks. I have an attorney on standby if Kia does not do the right thing!
Hard to recommend the brand since the prolonged nightmare with that car.
 
#13 ·
We have two Kia Niro hybrid. A 2017 hybrid is currently around 175,000 miles and 2019 Phev is around 85,000 miles. Both were running very well with no problems. I changed oil at every 8,000 - 10,000 miles with a full synthetic oil. Both had a DCT transmission oil change using either AMS or Kia DCT fluid once so far.
 
#16 ·
My 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid FE just passed 222,000 this morning. The only problem I have had [at 204K] was the heat exchanger antifreeze/coolant leak that I had a mechanic fix with a work-around/bypass for $175. I also just installed a 20" lightbar on the front bumper [installing after market fog lights would be very similar]. I posted a detailed video on Youtube - hope this helps others --->
 
#18 ·
OK, a transmission failure is bad. Sorry you've experienced that. The clutch actuator fluid is supposed to be replaced every 24,000 miles or 24 months, so yours should have had that done several times by now. Was that done?
 
#26 · (Edited)
Did you specifically ask the service department if the hydraulic clutch actuator recall inspection/fuse change has been done on your vehicle? If it had been done before you bought the Niro, no one would be mentioning it when you bring it in for service. Typically the service writer will do a search to see if there are any open recalls on your vehicle when you bring the vehicle in. The hydraulic clutch actuator recall/inspection affected all of the 1st gen Niros and would be flagged on your vehicle unless it was already performed.

Class action settlements, if they occur, only pay out to owners who have suffered harm from the problem at hand, not potential harm. It is up to the owners to ensure that recall work is done after they receive the notice from the auto manufacturer.

If you have not received the recall notice, chances are extremely high that the problem has already been addressed for your Niro. You may want to take a look at the HCA recall details on the NHTSA website or on this forum.

The shifting problem that you may be feeling is completely different from the hydraulic clutch actuator problem.

You are not driving a defective vehicle.
 
#27 ·
My vehicle had a recall on it and the lawsuit is about the recall with Kia not actually fixing the issue and Hyundai never issuing one at all. I have filed with the NHTSA and joined the lawsuit. The recall associated with my Niro never fixed the issue. I'm being told left and right to rebuild the transmission now. But I have paperwork stating recall addressed. My vehicle is definitely defective.