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Kia America, Inc. has initiated a safety recall for over 11,000 Niro EV electric vehicles from the 2020-2022 model years due to a defect that can cause the rearview camera to fail. The issue stems from potential damage to the camera’s internal circuitry, which can prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is in reverse, increasing the risk of a crash.
Key Highlights
- Affected Vehicles: The recall impacts 11,327 Kia Niro EV vehicles from the 2020-2022 model years equipped with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display.
- The Defect: Voltage surges in the rearview camera’s power circuit can cause damage over time, leading to an inoperative camera.
- Safety Risk: The failure of the rearview camera causes the vehicles to not comply with the rear visibility requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, which increases the risk of a collision.
- The Solution: Kia dealers will replace the rearview camera with an improved version that has enhanced voltage surge protection, free of charge.
- Owner Notification: Kia plans to begin notifying affected owners by first-class mail on August 19, 2025.
Details of the Defect
The root cause of the recall is a vulnerability in the rearview camera assembly, manufactured by Hyundai Mobis. Over time, voltage surges within the power circuit can damage the component, leading to a complete failure of the rearview camera system. When this occurs, the driver will not see the rearview image while the vehicle is in reverse. The issue presents a safety hazard as there are no warning signs before the camera fails.
This defect places the affected vehicles in noncompliance with federal safety standards for rear visibility. The recall population was determined by reviewing Kia’s production records for vehicles manufactured between January 15, 2020, and March 29, 2022.
Remedy and Next Steps
To resolve the issue, Kia dealers have been instructed to replace the original rearview camera (“CAMERA ASSY – BACK VIEW”) with a new, more robust component. This remedy will be performed at no cost to the vehicle owner. For owners who have already paid for repairs related to this specific issue, Kia will offer reimbursement under its General Reimbursement Plan.
Dealer notifications for this recall began on June 23, 2025, and the owner notification period is scheduled to start on August 19, 2025. Owners seeking more information can contact Kia’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-333-4542 and reference the manufacturer recall number SC342. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaign number for this recall is 25V426.
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