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2018 Kia

Niro

Auto (AM6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L

Kia Niro: best and worst years
2018 Kia Niro (photo 1 of 2)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 2018.

PhotoAlexander-93CC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic (AM6)EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

Power to weight
0.033 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.23
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

Smog score
7/10
Real-world MPG
50.7 mpg, reported by 7 driversabout 1.7 mpg above the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
Yes

Dimensions & capacity

GVWR class
Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026

Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

Recalls
3
Owner complaints
73 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
4

Feature availability

Cameras & visibility

  • Backup camera
    Standard

Driver assist

  • Adaptive cruise control
    Standard
  • Automatic emergency brakingPart of Kia Drive Wise.
    Standard
  • Blind-spot monitor
    Standard
  • Lane-keeping assist
    Standard

Convenience

  • Push-button start
    Standard

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • POWER TRAIN23%
  • ENGINE19%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM18%
  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER12%
  • SERVICE BRAKES6%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 109 total.

Kia Niro: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22005opened Jan 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

    Pedestrian alert sounds

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

98 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Dec 9, 2025BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGSPS797

    PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane film of the ultrasonic sensor is used for object detention and can be damaged by stone chips or for

  • Apr 17, 2025POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R5

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

  • Apr 3, 2025ENGINETSB_ENG222_R8

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

  • Mar 20, 2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTSB_ELE378

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles may encounter the following issues: remote Start/Climate Control function not working, vehicle Status on the Kia Access App not updating, connected routing not functioning properly.

  • Feb 28, 2025ENGINETSB_ENG222_R7

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.

  • May 16, 2024POWER TRAINTSB_TRA046_R4

    This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.

  • Jun 26, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEMTSB_CLI049_R1

    TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR - ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima Hybrid (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV), 2015MY~ Soul EV (PS EV), 2017MY~ Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV), 2022MY~ EV6 (CV), 2021MY~ Sorento (MQ4 HEV/PHEV), 202

  • Jun 6, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEMPS748

    PITSTOP: SHARING KIA CONNECT CREDENTIALS WITH THIRD-PARTY APPS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT TO 12V BATTERY IN EVS - Kia is aware of reports of unexpected drainage of the 12-volt battery in some Kia electric vehicles (EVs). While Kia’s investigation is ongoing, a possible cause of the issue may be third-party applications used by the customer that are causing excessive Kia Connect connections to the customer’s EV.

  • and 90 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / 60k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.