Model year
2021 Kia Niro
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 9 complaints for the 2021 Kia Niro (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 3 complaints under NIRO EV and NIRO PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (3), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2), ENGINE (2). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the Hybrid SUV FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 43–50 mpg combined and 112 MPGe combined and 30.0–32 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $700–$1,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2017 82 complaints
- 2018 60 complaints
- 2019 56 complaints
- 2020 39 complaints
- 2021 9 complaints
- 2022 31 complaints
- 2023 44 complaints
- 2024 10 complaints
- 2025 17 complaints
- 2026 2 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
23V534000 · Jul 31, 2023
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CLUTCHES/BANDS:ACTUATORS/SOLENOIDS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Niro and 2018-2022 Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Complaints
9 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| NIRO EV | 1 | 2 |
| NIRO PHEV | 1 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| Hybrid SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | NHTSA photo |
| Plug-in Hybrid SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niro Touring · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 46 | 40 | 43 | — | — | $1,550 |
| Niro · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 51 | 46 | 49 | — | — | $1,350 |
| Niro FE · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 53 | 48 | 50 | — | — | $1,350 |
| Niro Plug-in Hybrid · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 48 | 44 | 46 | 32.0 | 560 | $1,450 |
| Niro Electric · Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 123 | 102 | 112 | 30.0 | 239 | $700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Kia Niro at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.