2022 Kia Niro Safety Report
2022 KIA NIRO Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Kia Niro
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 Kia Niro. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (22) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Kia Niro with 6 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2023 | Check the 2023 Kia Niro before buying across this generation. |
Kia Niro Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Niro years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Niro | 36 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Niro | 7 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Kia Niro | 6 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Kia Niro | 8 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2022 Kia Niro Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 Kia Niro, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyService Brakes
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Kia onlyPower Train
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Back Over Prevention issues Kia onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Kia Niro
Reliability Score
The 2022 Kia Niro receives a reliability score of 87 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2022 Kia Niro
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Kia Niro:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission Clutch System Kia is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles due to a fault in the automatic transmission clutch system. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rearview Camera Distortion A 2022 Niro owner reported a distorted rearview camera image in reverse, which can affect visibility. |
Low | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Check Brake Light Warning A 'Check Brake Light' warning was reported, indicating a potential issue with the brake light system. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Hybrid Engine Alarm A hybrid engine alarm was reported, which may indicate a fault in the engine system. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Kia Niro:
Issues with service brakes were reported in 33% of cases.
Power train issues were reported in 25% of cases.
Air bag issues were reported in 17% of cases.
Electrical system issues were reported in 10% of cases.
Recall Details for the 2022 Kia Niro
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Kia Niro by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Kia Niro
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Kia Niro with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a distorted image while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The failure obstructed the driver's visibility, preventing the driver from safely operating the vehicle. Additionally, there was a delay with the image appearing on the screen when the vehicle was in reverse(R). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it w...
Vehicle with code p0420, Kia dealership technician say: the problem was the spark, proceeded to change it and clear code. Check engine turn on again, the same person say: it’s a ring piston, the car was leaked engine oil to exhaust and he see blue smoke, no evidence for part of dealership and dealership never mention the car was consuming excessive engine oil. I mentioned the law of emission to ch...
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -I have received a "Check Brake Light" warning several times now, even after replacing the bulbs. I have replaced them twice now in the past 6 months and the issue persists. I believe it to be a faulty sensor or something similar. Yes, it is available to inspect upon request. How was your safety or ...
I was driving on a 70mph hwy and traffic came to a full and sudden stop due to a car cutting across lanes a few cars ahead of me. There was no time for me to stop and I couldn’t see the traffic stopped. The car in front of me was able to stop without hitting anyone but I could not. Airbags did not deploy and this concerned me even though I was not injured.
Spontaneous combustion of the Sunroof. The Kia Niro is garage held in Colorado. While the temperature was in the teens the car has been driven and kept in much lower temps. No, Snow was on top of the car. When parking the car in the garage a loud noise was heard and the entire sunroof shattered
This car was purchased certified pre-owned from a Kia Dealership with 46,227 miles in October 2024. Within a month (Nov 2024), the electrical system would die overnight and we would require a jump start. This seemed to align with colder temperatures. After the first or second jump start, a headlight blew out. We replaced it. Then a tail light blew out and we replaced that one too. It seemed that t...
I was turning into a parking spot when my brakes suddenly felt loose, as if they had lost hydraulic pressure, and my vehicle accelerated into a wall. I had my vehicle serviced 3 weeks ago, and my brakes were fine. The day before the incident, I was coming to a stop, and the car was lurching forward as I was trying to stop. This isn't the first time the issue has occurred, and I had previously ment...
express my concern regarding a persistent and unresolved defect in the 12-volt battery of my 2022 Kia Niro, which I purchased from Hanlees Kia in 2022. In 2023, I brought my vehicle back to Hanlees Kia due to the battery dying prematurely. At that time, the dealership informed me of a battery jump start button on the dashboard. It was later revealed to me by Kia service in Stockton—after the vehi...
The incident, occurring on [XXX], was first submitted by phone, followed by email to [XXX] on 27 May with incident description and sketch. I was given the Complaint ID no ODI11663050. However, now when I search for that number, nothing shows up! I have not received any information that the complaint has been investigated and dismissed! In order to publicize this event as much as possible to warn...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated that the Hybrid Engine alarm activated and illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle for a few hours, and when restarting the vehicle, the alarm was no longer displayed. The contact continued to drive at approximately 5 mph. When pressing the brake pedal to park, the brake pedal floored with no resistance, and the vehicle began to accelerate. ...
Vehicle has been submitted for repair under recall RCRIT-23V534-0846. DTC P17ED - Engine clutch system EOL fault, is set and has never gone away. Initially the dealership did the recall in the spring of 2024. It was taken to the dealership after an accident and returned with the same DTC. I believe the DTC was never repaired; it is a non-MIL light so it is easy to miss. It was taken back, and they...
I got my oil changed and since I picked it up, I have an EPB light on and my “auto-hold” is orange, I also can’t set my cruise control. This disables safety features on my car- adaptive cruise control.
My right brake light keeps going out and it was “fix” before my the Kia dealership and they said it was just a lose harness but months later it has happened again, the warning light constantly comes on and the power to the light is intermittent. It is currently back into the shop to run another diagnostic
I took my car to the Dublin California Kia dealer because my car would not start or allow me to open the doors. When I had it towed to the dealer they said that the lithium ion battery under the rear seat had swollen. They said they would first address the recall for the (HCA) recall number 23V534. They completed the recall and was given the okay to replace the battery. Car was in the shop for 2 w...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact recently received a recall notice that stated that parts were now available. The dealer was notified of the letter but ...
The contact's husband owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manu...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine and Hybrid System warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the hydraulic clutch actuator. ...
Kia issued a recall warning dated September 29, 2023 regarding a fire hazard in our car. The recall stated that remedy was not available. After two months of no remedy from Kia and failure of Kia's Customer Care Center to respond to our requests for help, we went to the Kia dealer in Van Nuys, California to inspect the car to ascertain if it was still safe. The dealer refused to inspect or take an...
Car keeps notifying me of an issue with my left break lights, it has been inspected twice to which both times, Kia services said it just needed a new light but yet this problem keeps happening. Nothing pops up on diagnostics and there are no recalls, this is a brand new car less than a year with no history of accidents. It’s a safety issue now because it could be a wiring issue.
The silver accent bar on the center console below the air vents creates a major glare when the sunlight hits it. It reduces visibility by causing a distraction and feels as if you're staring into the sun. The photo doesn't do it justice but this has happened multiple times and I have to hold up my arm to block the glare. Additionally when the sunlight hits the screens on the dashboard and center c...
Showing 20 of 22 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2022 Kia Niro
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Kia Niro
Has the 2022 KIA NIRO been recalled?
Yes, the 2022 KIA NIRO has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2022 KIA NIRO have?
The 2022 KIA NIRO has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 KIA NIRO?
The 2022 KIA NIRO does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 KIA NIRO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 KIA NIRO involve unknown or other (3 complaints), service brakes (3 complaints), power train (3 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, electrical system,back over prevention, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2022 KIA NIRO have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2022 KIA NIRO out of 22 total complaints (18.2% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 KIA NIRO have?
There are no fire reports for the 2022 KIA NIRO in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 KIA NIRO?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA NIRO.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 KIA NIRO?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA NIRO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 KIA NIRO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 KIA NIRO is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 22 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2022 KIA NIRO?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 KIA NIRO are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (3 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (2 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 KIA NIRO?
Regular maintenance and staying informed about recalls can help ensure the safety and reliability of your 2022 KIA Niro. The 2022 KIA NIRO has 22 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2022 KIA NIRO?
The 2022 KIA NIRO receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 22 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Automatic Transmission Clutch System and Rearview Camera Distortion.
What are the known issues with the 2022 KIA NIRO?
Known issues with the 2022 KIA NIRO include: Automatic Transmission Clutch System, Rearview Camera Distortion, Check Brake Light Warning, Hybrid Engine Alarm. These are based on patterns found across 22 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2022 KIA Niro?
The most common issues include service brake and power train problems, as well as electrical system and air bag malfunctions.
Is there a recall for the 2022 KIA Niro?
Yes, there is a recall related to the automatic transmission clutch system, affecting 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid models.
What should I do if I receive a 'Check Brake Light' warning?
Have the brake light system inspected by a professional to ensure there are no underlying issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regular maintenance and staying informed about recalls can help ensure the safety and reliability of your 2022 KIA Niro.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Kia Niro
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Kia Niro. The data includes 22 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16