The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat the rear seats.
The risk
Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Niro | 2017, 2018 |
Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro | 2017 | 82 | 4 |
| Kia Niro | 2018 | 60 | 3 |
Other hybrid propulsion system recalls in 2022
5 of the 933 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2022 concerned the hybrid propulsion system; Kia America, Inc. filed 73 campaigns in all.
| 22V459000 28 Jun 2022 | Hyundai Motor America |
| 22V187000 25 Mar 2022 | Ford Motor Company |
| 22V149000 11 Mar 2022 | Ford Motor Company |
| 22V077000 11 Feb 2022 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2022