Troubleshooting Issues with 2016 Kia Niro - Check Engine Light, Reduced Power, and Possible Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor Problems

Hey there, I have a somewhat similar experience with my 2014 Kia Optima. My level of car expertise is probably about low to moderate - I'm certainly not a professional, but I've done a few repairs on my own ride. In terms of your issue, it sounds familiar. My Optima had a similar problem - engine light on, reduced power, the whole nine yards. Turns out it had a massive exhaust system leak. I took my car to my local workshop, trusted guys who've been dealing with my car issues for years. For the problem, they used some diagnostic tools to locate the leak in the exhaust system and welded it back into place. The entire process set me back around 265 Euro, but my car was back to normal afterward. Could you provide some more specific details about your Niro like mileage, maintenance history, any recent repairs, etc.? That might help zero in on what's causing your issue, as exhaust problems could be a symptom of multiple underlying issues. Cheers.

Hey there, Thanks for your response. It's always great to tap into the experiences of other car owners. As for my Kia Niro, it's got around 9144 KM on the odometer and just had its latest service done about a month ago. I haven't had any major repairs or changes recently, and I'm quite meticulous about regular maintenance. However, your mention of an exhaust system leak is something I hadn't considered and I’ll have it checked. It’s quite possible that my symptoms are a result of multiple smaller issues. I'll have my mechanic run a thorough diagnostic to verify. Thanks again for your help! Cheers.

Hi again, Good to hear back from you! It's commendable that you're keeping on top of the regular maintenance. Given the low mileage and the recent service, it makes the situation a bit puzzling. In my case, the exhaust leak was very evident due to increased noise levels, but there's a chance a smaller leak might not be as noticeable. If an exhaust leak doesn't turn out to be the culprit, it might be worth investigating what you initially suspected: the exhaust gas temperature sensor. In one case with my Kia Optima, the car had similar symptoms and it was indeed the sensor that was faulty. When it went bad, it could not provide the correct measurements to the ECU, throwing off the exhaust system and causing my vehicle to run inefficiently. The replacement part wasn't really expensive, and the repair itself wasn't too intensive, so you could even consider doing it yourself if you're comfortable with that sort of thing. Anyways, good luck with your Kia Niro. Let's hope it's a simple fix. Keep us posted on what you find! Cheers.

Hey again, It's great to hear back from you too! I appreciate you taking the time to respond and share more of your experience, especially the bit about the exhaust gas temperature sensor. It's definitely given me a lot to consider. I've always been a bit hands-on with my car, so checking out the sensor and potentially replacing it seems like something I'd be up for. Depending on what my mechanic says about the potential exhaust leak, I might give that a whirl. Thanks again for all the useful advice. It's really given me some direction in figuring out what's up with my Niro. I'll be sure to keep you updated once I have more info. Cheers!