Recall 22V899 affects 872 2020 Kia Niro EV vehicles because coolant can leak inside the EPCU. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 872 2020 Niro EV vehicles because the Electric Power Control Unit has a sealing defect that lets coolant leak internally. If coolant reaches the EPCU circuit board, the vehicle can lose drive power and increase crash risk; Kia dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Electric Power Control Unit on the 2020 Kia Niro EV is part of the electric propulsion system. It manages high-voltage power for driving and works with the cooling system that keeps propulsion electronics at the right temperature. The unit has to stay sealed so coolant stays in its cooling passages and away from internal electrical parts.
On affected Niro EV vehicles, the EPCU was not sealed correctly. Coolant can leak inside the unit instead of staying where it belongs. Once coolant reaches areas inside the EPCU, the electric propulsion electronics can be disrupted and the vehicle can set an electric-system fault.
The warning sign listed for this recall is the "Check Electric Vehicle System" warning light. If that light turns on, the vehicle is telling you the electric propulsion system has detected a fault that needs dealer diagnosis.
Who's affected?
| 2020 Kia Niro EV | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 872 |
Not every 2020 Kia Niro EV is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific crossover is included.
What's the safety risk?
Coolant on the EPCU circuit board can lead to a loss of drive power, which increases the risk of a crash. The listed warning sign is a "Check Electric Vehicle System" light. If that warning appears, stop in a safe place and call a Kia dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Kia Niro EV is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free EPCU inspection and replacement as needed; this repair addresses coolant leaking into the power-control unit and loss of drive power.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V899 when you call.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions about scheduling or the free repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the Electric Power Control Unit for the internal coolant leak issue and replaces the EPCU if the inspection shows it is needed. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. If you already paid out of pocket for an EPCU related repair before the recall notice, Kia's standard reimbursement plan covers documented repair expenses. Bring your receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Kia customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 6, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 26, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| January 26, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| January 31, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 31, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 9, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V899?
Recall 22V899 covers 872 2020 Kia Niro EV vehicles with an Electric Power Control Unit seal problem. Coolant can leak inside the EPCU and contact the circuit board, causing loss of drive power and increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2020 Kia Niro EV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Niro EV is included in recall 22V899. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the EPCU inspection. The dealer will replace the EPCU when the inspection shows the part needs replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kia dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU as needed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023.
Is it safe to drive my 2020 Kia Niro EV before the recall repair?
Kia has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for this recall. The safety risk is loss of drive power if coolant reaches the EPCU circuit board. Check your VIN, then ask a Kia dealer how soon the inspection can be completed.
What if I bought my Kia Niro EV used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2020 Kia Niro EV is included, then reference recall 22V899 when you call a Kia dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V899000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V899 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V899000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →