Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 2021 KIA Niro with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the KIA Niro. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 86
16.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2021 KIA Niro
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
325.0%
Other & Unspecified
216.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
216.7%
Electrical System
216.7%
Engine & Cooling
216.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2021peak 3Apr 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2021 KIA Niro
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Recalls on the 2021 KIA Niro
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20253452,604 units in Canada
Visual System
Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the rearview camera could cause the rearview camera image not to display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the rearview camera.
Recall 20250032,191 units in Canada
Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the integrated electronic brake (IEB) and cause it to corrode. If this happens, the IEB motor could fail and cause reduced braking. Note: This service campaign only affects certain Niro EV models. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the integrated electronic brake. The dealer will apply silicone to the IEB bolt hole or replace the IEB, as necessary.
Recall 2024549647,384 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: These small errors do not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. Kia has corrected the compliance label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202342313,037 units in Canada
Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid could leak onto the printed circuit board for the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA). If this happens, the circuit board could short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA), and replace it if necessary. The technician will also install a new fuse for the HCA to reduce the risk of a fire.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Willimantic, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 uncontrollably. I was able to avoid hitting other cars but drove straight into a concrete wall despite immediately braking. I'm relatively uninjured, but if it had happened in a less controlled environment and/or I hadn't reacted as quickly, there could have been serious injuries to myself or others. There was no indication of an issue prior, and the car is currently in storage with my insurance company and will be appraised next week. I have photos of the broken pedal.
NHTSA complaint #11600985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Reynoldsburg, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 see behind the vehicle when reversing, which creates a significant safety concern. The lack of rear visibility increases the risk of a collision, especially in areas with pedestrians, children, or low-visibility obstacles. I am aware that similar rearview camera failures have led to recalls for certain Kia Niro EV models; however, my vehicle is not included in those recalls. Despite this, my vehicle is experiencing the same or a very similar issue. The problem has occurred multiple times from 2023-now and does not appear to be related to specific weather, lighting, or driving conditions. This defect poses a serious safety risk and should be investigated for potential inclusion in a broader recall.
NHTSA complaint #11730887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylors, SC
POWER TRAIN
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 ahead and somehow fully releases. I have brought it to kia at least 3 times. In each case they tell me they cNt get the car to fail and since there are no codes produced they can't fix it. They even held onto the car several days. I asked them to please replace SOMETHING but the say Kia policy will not allow them to do that. So I am stuck with a car that keeps misbehaving. It is embarrassing because problems occur while a passenger is in the car and it seems to them that I am not driving correctly. I don't know what to do.
NHTSA complaint #11730504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, IN
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11725753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton, IN
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11725753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willimantic, CTCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 uncontrollably. I was able to avoid hitting other cars but drove straight into a concrete wall despite immediately braking. I'm relatively uninjured, but if it had happened in a less controlled environment and/or I hadn't reacted as quickly, there could have been serious injuries to myself or others. There was no indication of an issue prior, and the car is currently in storage with my insurance company and will be appraised next week. I have photos of the broken pedal.
NHTSA complaint #11600985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridge, NY
POWER TRAIN
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 they did the diagnostics That requires a part that must be secured to complete the fix for the recall. they claim they are awaiting approval from kia corporate & NHTSA to add to the technical bulletin. But their is no timeframe they have or when this additional part will be available. The dealership has the fuses & Harness for the HCA replacement, but needs this additional part. I asked what the # of this part is or name, but all they would tell me TBT.
NHTSA complaint #11570590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridge, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 they did the diagnostics That requires a part that must be secured to complete the fix for the recall. they claim they are awaiting approval from kia corporate & NHTSA to add to the technical bulletin. But their is no timeframe they have or when this additional part will be available. The dealership has the fuses & Harness for the HCA replacement, but needs this additional part. I asked what the # of this part is or name, but all they would tell me TBT.
NHTSA complaint #11570590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ridge, NY
ENGINE
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 they did the diagnostics That requires a part that must be secured to complete the fix for the recall. they claim they are awaiting approval from kia corporate & NHTSA to add to the technical bulletin. But their is no timeframe they have or when this additional part will be available. The dealership has the fuses & Harness for the HCA replacement, but needs this additional part. I asked what the # of this part is or name, but all they would tell me TBT.
NHTSA complaint #11570590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?
NHTSA complaint #11555688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doral, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 hesitation. After waiting several minutes I attemped to turn the vehicle on again but the warning light and alarm went off. Vehicle is currently at the dealership but they have not offer a solution or even a temporary remedy.
NHTSA complaint #11550728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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 sunroof. I called a tow who brought me to a Kia dealership. I explained what happened and after inspecting the car the dealership told me it was road debris that caused the issue. I did not see or hear anything hit my car prior to the explosion of the sunroof and I question their findings that it was debris related.
NHTSA complaint #11484542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
El Paso, TX
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 blind the driver. This needs to be addressed by Kia. Easy solution is to have Kia remove the strips, paint them black, and re-install them.
NHTSA complaint #11423414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.