Kia America, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
111 Peters Canyon Road, Irvine, CA 92606-1790 USA

Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign
September 12, 2025
Dear Kia Niro Hybrid (HEV) Vehicle Owner:
Kia America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) to
prevent overcharging of the 12V Lithium battery in certain 2023 MY Niro Hybrid (HEV) vehicles to ensure compliance with
emissions regulations. Our records indicate that you own or lease one of the potentially affected vehicles.
Why is Kia Conducting This Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign?
Due to a software logic issue, the battery management system (BMS) in your vehicle may inadvertently overcharge the 12V
Lithium battery. If the 12V Lithium battery becomes overcharged, you may experience a reduction in motive power
accompanied by the “Check Hybrid System. Stop Safely” warning message, Hybrid system warning lamp
warning lamp

, Charging system warning lamp

, Service

, and a rapid beeping sound for 10 seconds. This condition

may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards. These standards were
established to protect your health and welfare from the dangers of air pollution.
What Will Kia Do?
Kia will update the vehicle’s BMS software to prevent overcharging of the 12V Lithium battery free of charge at no cost to
you.
What Should You Do?
•

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Your vehicle is not equipped with a regular 12V lead-acid battery that needs periodic
replacement. It is equipped with a lithium-ion polymer type battery which is integrated into the HEV high-voltage
battery. The 12V Lithium battery in your vehicle has a protection system that disconnects the battery if it becomes
over-charged or under-charged. If this occurs, you may be able to use your vehicle’s emergency starting procedure
to start your vehicle. Please refer to the “Emergency starting: Using the 12V battery reset button” section of your
Owner’s Manual (page 7-5 for the 2023 model year).

•

Please contact an authorized Kia dealership to schedule a service appointment for this update. The actual time to
update the software may be less than an hour. However, the time required to service your vehicle can vary,
depending on the dealer’s work schedule. Therefore, we recommend scheduling a service appointment to minimize
your inconvenience.

•
•

Having this campaign performed will help ensure your vehicle’s full protection under the emissions warranty.
Failure to have this service performed could cause your vehicle to fail an emissions inspection (SMOG check) when
required under State law. It could also be considered a lack of proper maintenance.

•

To find your nearest dealer, visit www.kia.com and click the “Find Dealer” button in the upper right corner (“Dealers”
on a mobile device). You can also use the QR code below with your mobile device to access this information (see the

bottom of this letter for more information about QR code use):

Have You Changed Your Address Or Sold Your Kia?
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If you have changed your home address, sold your Kia vehicle, or no longer own your vehicle, please complete the
attached prepaid “Change of Address/Ownership” card, and mail it to us.

Are You A California Registered Owner?
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The California Air Resources Board requires that emissions related campaigns such as this, be completed prior to
annual vehicle registration renewal. Without this software update, you may not be able to complete your vehicle
registration and obtain license tags.

•

Once this software update has been completed, your Kia dealer will provide a “Proof of Correction Certificate”. The
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may request this Proof of Correction Certificate during your next
vehicle registration. This certificate should be kept with your vehicle records thereafter.

Are You A Registered Owner In Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Or Washington?
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Because your state has adopted the California emissions regulations, your Kia dealer will also provide a “Proof of
Correction Certificate” once this software update has been completed. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles,
Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Administration, Motor Vehicle Commission or Department of Licensing
may request this Proof of Correction Certificate during your next vehicle registration. This certificate should be kept
with your vehicle records thereafter.

Are You A Vehicle Lessor?
•

If you are the lessor and registered owner of the vehicle identified in this action, please forward this letter via first class
mail to the lessee within ten (10) days of receipt.

Do You Have Other Questions?
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Should you have any questions regarding this Emissions Service Campaign, or your dealer does not respond to your
service request in a timely manner, we suggest that you contact Kia’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-333-4542
(Monday through Friday, 5AM to 6PM, Pacific Time), or via https://customercare.kiausa.com.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this matter may cause you.
Sincerely,
Customer Care Department
QR Code Use:
•
A QR Code is a square, 2-dimensional barcode that can be read by mobile devices loaded with an appropriate barcode or QR Code Reader App. The app
reads the barcode image and then launches/uploads the specific information the code contains, such as URLs, text, photos, videos.
•
With a mobile device, download a QR Code Reader App. With many devices, you can do this through an app store or marketplace.
•
Open the QR Code Reader App on your mobile device. The app will utilize your device’s camera. Center the code in the camera viewing
area. With some apps, the URL or other information will automatically load when the code is recognized. For others, you may have to snap or take a picture
of the QR code. Refer to the QR Reader Code App instructions.

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