[estewartdc3]

Hi, everyone,
Back in March, on day 2 of owning a brand new Kia Niro LX, our hybrid system gauge stopped working properly. Long story short, our car has been out of service for two months while Kia corporate attempts to replace the entire instrument cluster and calibrate the odometer so that it accurately reflects our car's mileage when we dropped it off for repair. Kia has graciously offered to refund us, or replace it, or compensate us for our inconvenience while we await our original car's repair.

My question for your new owners: are you satisfied with your Niro? Would you recommend it? We researched and test drove many cars (Honda HRV, Toyota Prius V, Ford C-Max, VW Sportwagon, etc.) before purchasing the Niro and felt really good about our choice, but now of course, we have hesitations about getting another Niro. It is just the car we want in terms of size, price and fuel efficiency, but buying the first model year vehicle has proven problematic for us!

I've read on this forum some other owners' issues with their engine misfiring and a 'stutter,' so I want to be sure we're making a wise choice.

Thank you in advance.

-a hopeful Kia Niro owner

 

[fernando]

Well at this point I'd probably wait for the plug in version to at least compare prices.

 

[KeriD]

No issues with mine so far.. I'm at about 1200 miles.

 

[kprenesti]

I absolutely love my car. I've had no issues, have about 1400 miles on it. At the last fill-up, I did the math and came up with 51.7mpg. And I have the Touring model. My only gripe is that using the AC will pretty drastically eat into my mpg, but that's a minor gripe, and true of any car I think.

 

[Jay]

Just from how Kia stepped up to assume responsibility and make the situation right to your satisfaction should tell you to stay with Kia. Many of the other brands you were considering would not have been so forthright. One of the brands, in particular, you were considering is far worse than Kia in owner satisfaction (I won't mention any names but their initials are VW...)

 

[KiaKrazy]

The main thing is they tried to deal with it asap and were perfectly good with you lemoning it and are willing to work with you. I would definitely wait and perhaps go back with a Kia because what you dealt with is exactly what you say, a lemon. Hopefully the next one will be full of many smiles per gallon opposed to any issues at all

 

[PAULRIDES]

So far I am OK with my EX bouvht Feb 2017. Have something over 4000 miles.

That said, at times I am not sure there is not a slight or obvious "what to call it - stutter, mis, or something".

Unless it gets worse - I am not bothered by it.

 

[PAULRIDES]

By the way -- What happened to the guy that had the severe "What to Call it - surging, misfire" problem? last I heard he was getting a new car.

 

[Scrutch76]

I have the LX and it's getting close to 2,000 miles and I'm very happy with it so far. As stated in a note already, the A/C cuts right in to the gas mileage. We've had some days with the temp down around 30 degrees and I think the heater cuts the mileage even more but it sure works great. In less than one minute you have hot air, that will sure be nice next winter when it's 20 below zero. I have had a ruff shift a couple of times at low speed, seems to be motor starts and shifts at the same time, but not sure about that either. I'll have to fill up tomorrow and will have
a good mpg check this time, with about 50% town and 50% Interstate..

 

[Bigmura]

I love mine. Just did road trip from Atlanta to NYC and back. It was a dream.

 

[Lonewolf904]

Sometimes you get a lemon bought two 50k plus gm motors but used lemon law made it right , I think kia is a very well managed company I would hope they would do the right thing and fix or replace

 

[Lonewolf904]

Yea I love my niro solid 48 to 50 miles mpg prius could never get that 2nd or 3rd generation I drive it ,like I stole it lol

 

[Bigmura]

I absolutely LOVE my Niro. Reading that story scared me too, but I doubt that any car ever made has NEVER had a dud come off the assembly line. Mine runs perfectly and I love its pickup, its storage, versatility, the way it purrs at me when I open the door in the morning (anyone else notice that?) , the color, etc, etc. OH and of course the gas mileage. I could not be happier (unless it had a locking glove box, but you can't have EVERYthing.)

 

[PAULRIDES]

Wonder what he and KIA settled on?

Sort of left us hanging, I think, or did I miss final resolution?

 

[Neuron]

They probably settled with Kia since it's a lemon and it's in the favor of the buyer if the car really can't be fixed. There's always going to be lemons with every brand, some you hear about and some you don't. Shouldn't turn you away from a fundamentally good car. Just look at the Jeep fans, so many problems with Jeeps but they keep going back for more.

 

[duanemartin1]

My Niro FE is brand new...live in LA, going home from dealer up 405 during rush hour, live in Lake Los Angeles so climbing 2500 feet overall, mileage 58.5 on the dash. Coming to work this morning, driveway to parking garage at LA Valley College, 67 miles, 87.1 on the dash when I got there, and I keep up with traffic most of the time, but not in a rush, just getting to work best way I can.


Not sure if these numbers will continue or get worse or better, but for one day I am happy with this car. Did VW buyback on a 2014 Golf TDI and my best mileage with it was 67 on the downhill run, coming to work, did that twice last summer, it really liked hot weather.

 

[Nero]

I hope he gives the Niro another chance, I had a lemon once and I just upgraded to a new vehicle with a better engine option and never had another issue. My Niro is great btw!

 

[myronbg]

So far I am OK with my EX bouvht Feb 2017. Have something over 4000 miles.

That said, at times I am not sure there is not a slight or obvious "what to call it - stutter, mis, or something".

Unless it gets worse - I am not bothered by it.

I have a Gen 2 [MY '17/'18] Volt with the same problem. "We" [Gen 2 Volt forum] call it "chuggle". Only happens in engine mode, not EV. Chevy did a recall for "engine misfire" which didhn't improve the chuggle. Sometimes it's more pronounced, especially in cruse control as, I think, the computer is trying to keep a speed and the engine/transmission ain't fast enough to respond. It's about the only issue that I have with the Volt, except I'm interested in the Nero PHEV for a CUV [station wagon what some reviewers call it].
Is there a typical time that it happens? Is it sporadic or continuous? Has the issue been reported to Kia?

 

[estewartdc3]

Update re: My Niro is a Lemon - should I get another one? Reply to Thread

Hi, all,
Original poster here. We decided to replace our lemon (Niro LX) with an exact replica and today, we finally took ownership! Kia was great throughout the process. They threw in four years of the service plan and a free spare tire kit and a few other favors (dealer installed the cross rails for us for free).

Looking forward to finally enjoying the car that we first bought in March! Thanks for your replies.

 

[PAULRIDES]

Thanks for the update and glad to hear KIA satisfied you.

Apparently, there is some sort of a design problem as seems to be a lot of folks with some sort of symptom (misfire, surging, what ever to call it).

I notice it on my EX bought in FEB, now have over 5500 miles. Love the car otherwise and must add, the surge (whatever) has never been extreme, just feel a little something occasionally.

Probably noticed it more yesterday (Jun 31) about 3 miles from home on the way to gym running say 40 MPH and using accelerator a little. It smoothed out and did not notice it again (at least not at that level).

Might add the level was not real excessive (whatever), but was more noticeable than before.