2019 Niro EV reduction gear noise

Have you read the thread just 2 down?

 

I suggest trying another dealership. KIA has a 10 year, 100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. If the TSB has not been rectified, KIA corporate must get involved.

*In my experience* Hyundai/KIA Dealers are interested in selling, not servicing EVs.

https://kia-motors.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html

 

Well, that's close enough as there's nothing else it can be. Can you contact the Kia importer directly? Having an audio recording of the noise will help. Are you certain you don't have a powertrain warranty? I'm assuming you're in the US, you didn't say. In any case, this is a common enough issue that they should cover at least the parts bill. You might get more time out of it with an oil change but it won't resolve the problem.

To answer your actual question, one Niro owner has repaired the gearbox while two owners in EU countries have repaired their Hyundai Ioniq, the same basic design. It's 'just' a matter of replacing the bearings in either the motor or gearbox. The gearbox is also not that expensive to purchase outright from a parts shop.

 

That is pretty disturbing if true. I am glad I got my Kona fixed early on with the just faint ticking at low speeds. Although I do remember the dealer telling me not to worry as the 5 year year power train warranty will protect me.

 

Despite you as 2nd owner are just outside of the warranty period, given that there is a TSB it's disappointing that they won't cover at least the parts cost. I think you have a strong case.

Clearly the motor and gearbox make up the powertrain along with the inverter and traction battery. There should be a definition in the warranty fine print.

The gearbox could go for another year or longer with clean oil so that's worth doing. There are many descriptions of how to do this on Kona forums. Use Redline MT-LV, only 1 US qt needed if you don't spill a drop.

 

Over the past 20 months perhaps a dozen+ Kona owners have reported the results of approaching their Hyundai dealers to have the oil changed. It's not an impressive scoresheet with some denying EVs have oil or that it's "a sealed unit" and can't be changed. Some say it doesn't need changing with one refusing to even carry out the job. In two cases customers were charged for an automatic transmission oil change, perhaps because there isn't a standard billing item for this simple job. One said they had to order new drain plugs before they could start. Several have insisted the oil volume was 3.5 litres, leading me to believe there may have been a honest mistake in their online documentation. One dealer here billed the customer for three bottles then when confronted said the two extra bottles of this expensive synthetic oil were to "flush the gearbox". Despite sticking to that claim, the added charge was quickly refunded. On the plus side, one report indicated a dealer in SoCal billed it as a differential oil change which is a reasonable equivalent, US$140.

It could be entertaining to ask them for a quote and to hear what they say when they see how black it is. Responses in the past have ranged from dismissive to concerned enough to "notify Hyundai". Unfortunately it will be a matter of luck rather than knowledge if them doing the oil change actually helps argue your case.

You could keep an eye out for a new or used gearbox (assuming that's the problem) if you think you will be on the hook for the cost. The motor on the other hand is about 4x the cost.


(front page of the Transys powertrain catalog)


(kia.parts, select 2020 model year)

 

"The dealership also tried to tell me that the motor and gearbox aren't part of the powertrain, which was frustrating."

These have been in dealerships since 2015, and the still don't have qualified staff. Small wonder there is an excess of EV6 on lots.

The KIA warranty clearly states 8 years/100,000 on EV drivetrains and does not stipulate a shorter period for successive owners.

I suggest you need two things:

A dealership with a certified EV staff and a lawyer to send a demand letter to KIA.

This is a terrible way to treat customers, and has become standard practice from KIA.

 

Exactly what I've seen from my research. Our warranty in NZ is 3 years /100,000 km for all owners. But we have government consumer laws that require vendors to cover a reasonable product lifetime.

 

Did you get anywhere with this yet? I also have to take mine back in for it, the noise is getting very loud now, sounds just like the abnormal reduction gear sound in the TSB. At 37k they tried to tell me the sound was "normal"...so I'm going to record the sound from the motor bay, and I'm sure this is going to be a battle. I'm already suing Kia for another defect so I might as well get this looked at now while I have the lawyer.

 

Just following up. Any progress? Just got my car back and they again said it’s normal. The technician agreed they hear the sound and something is wrong but Kia refuses to diagnose or attempt any repairs. The dealer is a dead end at this point, so now we have to pursue legal action.

 

Oh man! Me too! Kia 2019 EV with 80k miles, TSB# 234, Extended warranty will not fix "defective" transmission if still working. Kia has refused "good will recall" of known problem - 6 weeks at dealership trying to get help. Quote cost 12k for repairs, Paid 30k 1 year ago. Suggestions?

 

I’m suing. However I think after that there will be no recourse other than to blast them publicly and then get rid of the car. I think there needs to be a class action lawsuit against Kia.

 

If you're sure it's the reducer and not the motor perhaps purchase the part yourself and have it installed by a local garage. $12k seems a lot for this no matter what currency you're using.

https://www.kiapartsnow.com/genuine/kia-0~4450018ea1.html

There probably does but it's a hard one to prove. I'm not sure how long manufacturers remain responsible for their products.