2021 Kia Niro
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 4 of 12 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 62 in 2020 to 12 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | 1,250–1,450 | 1,200–1,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 43–50 | 43–50 | 43–50 | 43–50 | 48–53 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 46–52 / 40–49 | 46–52 / 40–49 | 46–53 / 40–48 | 46–53 / 40–48 | 49–53 / 45–54 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 177–207 | 177–207 | 179–208 | 179–208 | 167–181 | |
| Complaints filed | 98 | 62 | 12 | 73 | 65 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Niro have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Niro?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 4 of 12 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Niro get?
EPA rates it 43–50 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia Niro?
EPA estimates $1,250–$1,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 46 mpg (low) | 40 mpg (low) | 43 mpg (low) | $1,450 (high) | 208 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 51 mpg | 46 mpg | 49 mpg | $1,250 (low) | 183 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 53 mpg (high) | 48 mpg (high) | 50 mpg (high) | $1,250 (low) | 179 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AM-S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gas and Electricity | Small Station Wagons | 48 mpg | 44 mpg | 46 mpg | $1,350 | 90 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Small Station Wagons | 123 MPGe | 102 MPGe | 112 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 25V426000 · Jun 24, 2025
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CLUTCHES/BANDS:ACTUATORS/SOLENOIDS · Campaign 23V534000 · Aug 1, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.