R P
Well-Known Member
I had the same issue with my Kona. They replaced the both the motor and gearbox, and the problem has not come back. That was a year and a half ago, and 18K kms since.
Tapping or Creaking Noise when coasting at low speed
- Thread starter wizziwig
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Nice to hear that. I talked to my dealer about terminating the leasing contract and signing a new contract on an EV6, so I will do that. Waiting time 7 months, so I will get the EV6 in March/April 2022. 325 hp AWD. But I am sure they will fix my e-Niro before that. Used e-Niros are in demand so prices are high, very high.
DAM 19 Niro
New Member
A follow-up to my post #394: At 10,000 miles I began noticing the same dreaded tapping noise from our 2019 Niro EV motor that other owners have reported. My local dealer’s service department confirmed the motor needed to be replaced, covered by the warranty. My encouragement that they open a tech line with Kia on the topic helped them come to that conclusion. I made sure they ordered a third-generation E712 motor to replace my first generation E710. It took about three weeks for the new motor to arrive and to schedule a repair appointment. What was estimated to be a one day repair turned into three and then four days. During that time, they were counseled by a Kia field representative that in order to install the replacement motor the transmission would also need to be removed. I am pretty sure this was the first time the service department had attempted this major EV repair so I was apprehensive that everything would be put back together correctly. I got the car back yesterday and so far everything seems to be holding together. I hope the E712 motor solves the tapping problem and I can enjoy my Niro again.
David T in Silicon Valley
Active Member
Yesterday someone in the Facebook group said there is now a service bulletin. I bet service centers have to follow these to be reimbursed for warranty repairs.
Adam Roman on Facebook's Kia Niro EV Owners Club Group said:
=AZUe1G44LfYU30ipUCZvRdOiF3ZSrrtGsyOrjjbqecHjYETrGpdtZuNI8MI3MfSgoor0xYsfn4NExoxBrUSLB3tpjqgUTReXK3uzg2aPIuLp8HB_KJzV-IpwDelMSclx1adoDeKu9kM419pCuETD8MJDiJ1xwytBW1aAhiH1NC-5Q_TriPNtFgky9tpRF8Ar9Tc&__tn__=R]-R =AZUe1G44LfYU30ipUCZvRdOiF3ZSrrtGsyOrjjbqecHjYETrGpdtZuNI8MI3MfSgoor0xYsfn4NExoxBrUSLB3tpjqgUTReXK3uzg2aPIuLp8HB_KJzV-IpwDelMSclx1adoDeKu9kM419pCuETD8MJDiJ1xwytBW1aAhiH1NC-5Q_TriPNtFgky9tpRF8Ar9Tc&__tn__=R]-R']Facebook Link
So maybe it is a tolerance problem brought on by motor mount issues. Maybe some mounts have defects or are installed improperly or some other assembly problem mispositions the motor and different mounts can put it in the right place.
Once the sound is heard at all, they really need to do something to the motor too since some level of damage will have occurred.
Greg Elmassian
Active Member
no bulletin number on that post on FB
Mine didn't start until about 10k miles or more.
My dealer also says this is "normal" and the tech who checked it out ostensibly drives a Niro EV as well. That doesn't make me happy but it's nice to know I'm not the only one and I'm not going crazy heading something "no one else" hears.
David T in Silicon Valley
Active Member
I just came across this:
#TSB_ELE234_R1
that might be it
https://m.carcomplaints.com/Kia/Niro_EV/2019/tsbs/tsb-tsb-ele234-r1.shtml
found the first lines of the summary on this page. It looks like it is. I. wonder if we can get a copy!
https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Technical-Service-Bulletin/2020/Kia/Niro-EV/Electrical-System
Last edited:
Jim Matthews
Active Member
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/KIA/NIRO%2520ELECTRIC/SUV/FWD#manufacturerCommunications
Dated May 13, 2021.
MC-10193244-0001.pdf 2285.582KB
David T in Silicon Valley
Active Member
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10193244-0001.pdf
Thanks for finding it Jim. I searched around some at NHTSA but must not have used their search tool properly. The bulletin even has recorded sounds from inside the cabin of the vehicle. Not sure if this is the same effect, but it might manifest differently from car to car or depending on how developed the problem is.
The bulletin flowcharts are consistent with what many reported their service centers did, trying things like motor mount and reduction gear replacement.
Thanks for finding it Jim. I searched around some at NHTSA but must not have used their search tool properly. The bulletin even has recorded sounds from inside the cabin of the vehicle. Not sure if this is the same effect, but it might manifest differently from car to car or depending on how developed the problem is.
The bulletin flowcharts are consistent with what many reported their service centers did, trying things like motor mount and reduction gear replacement.
My (wife’s) car is currently at an Atlanta dealership’s service center being “diagnosed.” It took 3 months to get the appointment and, so far, they’re on day 3 of having the car. They acknowledge hearing the issue but are “trying to figure out what’s causing it.” Attempts to engage in constructive conversation with the service manager were met with animosity and insult. Attempts to figure out how long he thinks he’ll have the car for this “diagnostic” stage were equally poorly received. I’ll keep the thread updated, but I’m gearing up for a multi-visit, multi-year process to try and get this fixed.
Spoke with someone else in the service center today and he said they've opened a ticket with Kia Corporate and are sending diagnostic information back and forth.
He said that the sound I'm hearing (which they confirmed they hear too) is not related to the existing TSB. The sound I hear is identical to what's been reported on this thread.
I can pick up the car for the weekend (because "they won't send us anything over the weekend") but I need to bring it back on Monday so they can reopen the ticket and continue where they left off.
Jim Matthews
Active Member
Here in the States we will get the run around until KIA corporate issues a recall with the Warranty rate for the service. My local dealership was similarly unwilling.
Unless there's a dash light alert or catastrophic mechanical failure, I doubt any US dealer will help us stave off the problem.
I think the coming EV6 rollout is KIA corporates focus, not those of us who already bought into the brand.
Little Niro
New Member
Just wanted to add a note to say I've got the noise on my 2020 Niro. I leased it in May of '21 and started hearing the noise a couple of months ago, with only about 1,200 miles on it. I haven't decided what to do yet as I really don't want to go through all the headaches many have described here, and be without a car for awhile, only to have them not fix it.
Ended up leaving the car there over the weekend because it didn't make much sense to pick it up Friday night only to have to take it right back Monday morning. Didn't hear a peep from anyone all last week.
Called the dealership this morning for an update and was told that they haven't heard anything back from Kia Corporate about the "readings" they sent them and have a note on the ticket to follow up today with Corporate to see what they want them to do. I'm not hopeful that any progress is made this week and am now using these posts to document my correspondence in case the timing of things is needed in the future. This looks like it's going to be an ordeal and communication so far has been...lacking.