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Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

NHTSA campaign number

18V666000

Hybrid propulsion system — affecting 2 model years across Kia.

Issued
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Model years
2017–2018
System
Powertrain

Elevated severity

This campaign addresses a defect NHTSA classifies as carrying elevated crash or injury risk.

What the defect is

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.

Why it matters

The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.

The remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.

What this page does not include

NHTSA's public recall feed does not supply an affected-population count, the manufacturer's own campaign number, owner-notification dates or a defect chronology for this campaign. Rather than estimate them, we omit them. Confirm whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair has already been done — using its VIN.

Check a VIN

Vehicles affected by this campaign

2 model years in our index. Coverage reflects the vehicles VerifyTheVehicle tracks, which may be narrower than the full campaign population.