KiaNiro2017Overview/kia/niro/2017/base/

2017 Kia Niro

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Niro.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (AM6)

The 2017 Kia Niro arrives as a compact SUV built on Kia’s dedicated hybrid platform and is equipped with an AM6 automatic transmission that delivers the class‑leading EPA ratings of 51 mpg city, 46 mpg highway and a combined 49 mpg. Across its lifespan the model has accumulated 94 owner complaints, with the engine identified as the most frequent source of concern and five separate recalls issued. Although the Niro’s complaint data for later years (20212025) shows a peak of 40 issues in 2023 and a low of eight in 2024, the 2017 model sits early in this trend, indicating that its reliability record is still being shaped by the subsequent patterns.

Model year20252023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy51/46/49 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3166 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined51 / 46 / 49 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume101 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Niro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6–10.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2017 FE EcoHybrid Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017FE EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh8.60 sec16.70 sec139 hpFWD
2017LX EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh8.70 sec16.80 sec139 hpFWD
2017EX EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh8.90 sec16.80 sec139 hpFWD
2017Touring EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh9.60 sec17.30 sec139 hpFWD
2017Touring EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh9.60 sec17.20 sec139 hpFWD
2017Touring EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh9.90 sec17.40 sec139 hpFWD
2017Touring EcoHybrid Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 32-kW 1.56-kWh10.10 sec17.70 sec139 hpFWD
2018EX Premium EcoPlug-in Hatchback 1.6L I-4 + Elec 8.9-kWh9.00 sec17.00 sec139 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)28.9-36.2 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)13.7-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70.0-75.0 psi
Residual Pressure42 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M6 Bolts52 in
2M6 Bolts104–112 in
3M8 Bolts84 in
414.0-17.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
148.0 ft. lbs.48 ft. lbs
253.0 ft. lbs.53 ft. lbs
3+ 39.0 ft. lbs.39 ft. lbs
441
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. apply liquid gasket threebond 1217H or equivalent on the edge of the cylinder block and head gasket. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

124.0.0-27.0 ft. lbs.
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 22,500 miClutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Belt (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Hybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Kia Niro’s federal record from 2021 onward shows a clear trend: complaints rose sharply from 9 in 2021 to a peak of 40 in 2023, then fell to 8 in 2024 and 13 in 2025. This arc suggests that significant issues—particularly in the engine (16 complaints) and power train (9 complaints)—became most apparent around the vehicle’s sixth year. The model was subject to 5 recalls over this period, with two occurring in the peak complaint year, and an investigation was active in 2021 and 2022. While the data doesn’t specify root causes, the concentration of engine and powertrain complaints alongside multiple recalls indicates a higher likelihood of costly repairs as the vehicle ages. For a used 2017 Niro, this pattern makes it a riskier choice compared to later model years that may have benefitted from production refinements.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
88
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
94
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 5 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 94 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine16
Power Train9
Unknown Or Other8
Structure7
Electrical System6
Steering4
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3
Electrical System,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V159000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 10/03/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Niro vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS motor, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 88 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
TSB_ENG222_R82025-04-03EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This…
TSB_ENG222_R72025-02-28EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This…
TSB_TRA046_R42024-05-16Power TrainThis bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Niro. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2017 Niro have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Niro get?

EPA figures are 51 city / 46 highway / 49 combined mpg.