Kia · Niro · 2021
2021 Kia Niro
1
Recall
9
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Kia Niro has 1 recall and 9 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Kia Niro page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is unknown or other with 2 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Kia Niro currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 9 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are unknown or other (2), power train,electrical system,engine (1), power train (1).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Kia Niro
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 9
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
12.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 23V534000July 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.
Remedy Status
Dealers will inspect and replace the hydraulic clutch actuator as necessary and install a new fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 29, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC276.
Owner Complaints
9 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Apr 13, 2026
I own a 2021 Kia Niro. The rear backup camera intermittently fails to operate. When shifting into reverse, the display screen will either go completely black or the camera will not activate at all. This issue occurs unpredictably and without warning. As a result, I am unable to s...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN
Apr 10, 2026
This is a hybrid vehicle. It has Dual clutch transmission. Since I have owned it, intermittently the clutch does not disengage completely. This causes the vehicle to try to pull ahead but my foot is on the brake. The vehicle does not stall. Somehow it figures out it can't pull ah...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 3, 2026
EV motor and drive train have a clattering noise, much like a playing card attached to a bicycle clattering against the wheel spokes. it speeds up and slows down with the acceleration of the motor.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRASH1 injuryJul 8, 2024
I was backing out of a tandem parking spot in a private garage and got too close to a pillar, and tried to pull forward into the spot. It felt like the car got snagged on the pillar, but while pulling forward slowly, the gas pedal snapped off and the car accelerated quickly and u...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Jan 18, 2024
I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when...
Preview excerpt
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 14, 2023
Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. HEV light lit up on dashboard and a warning message was displayed alerting me to immediately pull over and turn off the vehicle. At the same time the vehicle was not responding and acceleration became troubling and with marked hes...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 29, 2023
Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?
VISIBILITY
Sep 14, 2022
While driving on a major highway, my sunroof suddenly exploded. Luckily the screen was pulled shut otherwise I would have been covered in glass. I was able to drive to the next exit and park the vehicle to then get out and observe the damage. There was a gaping hole in the sun...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Jul 4, 2021
There is a silver strip of "trim" running completely across the dashboard just above the radio controls. It is so reflective that a glare occurs periodically throughout the day when the sun hits it. It's so bad that it blocks the left side mirror with the reflection and can even ...
Preview excerpt
Showing 9 recent complaints from 9 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Kia Niro Years
2022 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r24c2020 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r31c2023 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.2r37c2019 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r76c2024 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.1r6c2018 Kia NiroCompare this year against 2021 for complaint and recall shifts.3r52c
More 2021 Kia Models
2021 Kia SeltosAnother 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r317c2021 Kia TellurideAnother 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r306c2021 Kia SorentoAnother 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.4r214c2021 Kia SoulAnother 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r199c2021 Kia K5Another 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.6r140c2021 Kia ForteAnother 2021 Kia option for same-year comparison.2r67c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Niro have?
The 2021 Kia Niro has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Kia Niro?
NHTSA has received 9 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Kia Niro.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Kia Niro?
The 2021 Kia Niro received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Niro?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Kia Niro are unknown or other (2 reports), power train,electrical system,engine (1 reports), power train (1 reports).
Does the 2021 Kia Niro have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Kia Niro. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.