Potentially Fire, Kia Withdraws More Than 120 Thousand Kia Niro Hybrid Units

Kia Niro. (Doc. Kia Global)

JAKARTA - The automotive manufacturer from South Korea, Kia, has recalled this time for the Niro model. This recall was carried out due to problems with the electronic system of hydraulic coupling actuators.

A total of 121,411 vehicles affected by this recall, involved the Niro Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models operating in the United States region. The manufacturer has identified that this problem has the potential to cause fire risk.

As quoted from Carscoops on Monday, August 7, the North American Kia Safety Office first learned of this issue in January 2023 when they received a report on an on hybrid warning indicator.

After the vehicle was inspected by technicians at the dealers, it turned out that there was damage to the connector and hardness actuator of the hydraulic coupling on Niro Hybrid. This finding resulted in the authorities deciding to make a recall for further investigation.

Since the initial incident, Kia has continued to evaluate by collecting data from dealers and spare parts related to vehicles experiencing similar problems, including Niro Plug-In Hybrid.

In May, Kia took further steps by conducting an X-ray inspection to uncover the root of the connector problem. The results of a collaboration with component supplier, Schaeffler Automotive, revealed that there was a corrosion on the circuit board in the area where the melting occurred.

For more accurate examinations, Kia also involves a third party. The results of this investigation indicate that external fluids that may enter, cause corrosion on the circuit board and result in melting. This situation could cause a short circuit that could potentially lead to a fire risk.

Although there have been no reports of fires occurring as a result of this problem, Kia has confirmed three cases of short circuits and seven other potentially affected cases.

In detail, Kia has decided to carry out a recall program on all the 2017-2022 Kia Niro Hybrid and Kia Niro OHEV 2018-2022 models in the United States. The manufacturer will contact the owners of the directly affected vehicles to direct them to take their vehicles to the nearest dealers.

Technicians in the dealers will conduct checks on hydraulic coupling actuators and will make replacements if needed. In addition, in all affected vehicles, the screen component will be replaced with components that have better quality to reduce the risk of fire.

The latest recall on the Niro model comes sometime after Kia also announced a recall on about 40,000 vehicles, including the Seltos 2023-2024, Soul 2023, and Sportage 2023 models. The recall was made due to problems with electronic control for the assembly of Idle Stop & Go oil pumps which could cause overheating at the pump.