Previous-Gen Kia Niro EV Recalled for Safety Plug That Could Overheat
Kia completely redesigned all three variants of the Niro—hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric—for 2023, but it’s a late model from the first generation we’re going to talk about here.
The company is recalling 257 units of the 2022 Niro EV in Canada due to a pair of safety issues that originate from the same source. More specifically, the safety plug for the high-voltage battery may not have been manufactured properly.
As a result, the plug could overheat and melt, creating the risk of a fire. This problem could also cause a loss of power to the wheels and increase the risk of a crash, Kia says.
Affected owners will receive a mailed notice by this summer. Kia dealers will fix the problem by replacing the safety plug at no cost.
To be clear, the second-generation Niro EV is not affected.
A year ago, Kia Canada recalled over 13,000 Niros covering every model year of the first generation (2017-2022) because fluid could leak onto the printed circuit board for the hydraulic clutch actuator. If this happens, the circuit board could short circuit and lead to a fire in the engine compartment while driving.
Dealers will inspect the hydraulic clutch actuator and replace it if necessary. They will also install a new fuse to reduce the risk of a fire.