KNDCR3LE6T53182552026 KIA NiroEX/EX Premium
2026 KIA Niro was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. No open recalls, complaints, or auction appearances were found — a clean result.
Executive Summary
2026 KIA Niro
2026 KIA Niro was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. No open recalls, complaints, or auction appearances were found — a clean result.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Niro
- Year
- 2026
- Trim / Series
- EX/EX Premium
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4x2
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 1.6L
- Doors
- 5
- Manufacturer
- KIA CORPORATION
- Assembly
- HWASUNG, GYEONGGI PROVINCE, SOUTH KOREA
- GVWR
- Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
- Electrification
- Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
- EV Motor
- Single Motor
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: HWASUNG, GYEONGGI PROVINCE
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
- ▸Electric/hybrid vehicle — monitor for battery thermal events
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEARLegal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $27,094 (~$452/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile. Hybrid powertrain reduces fuel costs via regenerative braking.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2026 KIA Niro — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for KNDCR3LE6T5318255. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
KIA has been fined $27M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2020: Failure to promptly conduct recalls for Theta II engine defect.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | KNDCR3LE6T5318255 |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Make | KIA |
| Model | Niro |
| Trim | EX/EX Premium |
| Series | Wagon Body Style |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Displacement (L) | 1.6 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | KIA CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | HWASUNG |
| Assembly Country | SOUTH KOREA |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | KND |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 6 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | T |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | 5 |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 318255 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 0 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 4:03:58 PM.