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Kia NiroModel year report

2020 Kia Niro Problems

Compared with other Kia Niro years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

35/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
39filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
49 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 51 city / 46 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Kia Niro (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2020 Kia Niro. The part named most often is engine, with 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by other or unknown (9) and electrical system (8). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 68 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Kia Niro model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 35 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Hybrid propulsion system (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “The service engine valve with check active air flap system error message is displayed. The diagnostic error that comes up is aaf - p059f. According to the dealer air compression test were completed and properly functioning. I have submitted 3 pictures with the same error message code to the dealer and they state not all saved in the car's ECM. The lights came on when starting as well as while driving. Noticed that the car takes longer to change gears or go into EV mode.”

NHTSA complaint #11343051, filed 2020-08, 958 miles

Other or unknown: “I've had my Kia Niro EV approximately 1yr. I'm the only owner so far was brand new but it had set for a year or so. (Purchase Date: March 2021). I noticed about 6 mo./8k miles that listening the same thing that my 2012 Kia Sorento that was involved in the class action lawsuit was having. When I pressed the gas pedal my RPMs go up to five to seven but the car doesn't really go it's like it's barely even going 10 miles an hour. …”

NHTSA complaint #11455280, filed 2022-03

Electrical system: “I own a 2020 Kia Niro PHEV. In October 2024, my dealership performed Technical Service Bulletin SA512 on my vehicle addressing the inverter coolant system. I was not informed at that time that the issue was likely to recur or that periodic maintenance would be required. In March 2026, the inverter coolant warning light returned. I brought the vehicle back to the dealership, where I was told the coolant had crystallized. …”

NHTSA complaint #11727309, filed 2026-03

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #11579317, filed 2024-03, 27,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

44% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 70,500 miles.

11%0–100%10–2533%25–5033%50–7511%75–10011%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20202022202320242025202613
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Kia Niro. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Niro Hybrid · SUV FWD★★★★☆4 / 3554 · 12.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2019: same overall rating; 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2020 Kia Niro version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe; plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Niro Electric FWDElectricsingle-speed123102112 MPGe$700
Niro FWD1.6L 4-cyl · hybrid6-speed automatic514649$1,350
Niro FE FWD1.6L 4-cyl · hybrid6-speed automatic524950$1,350
Niro Touring FWD1.6L 4-cyl · hybrid6-speed automatic464043$1,550
Niro Plug-in Hybrid FWD1.6L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid6-speed automatic484446 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2020 Kia Niro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 68 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 68 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia Niro

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20251735,0001453—Too new
20241075,0001553—Too new
202344600255391 · MoreToo new
20223175,00014–54938 · TypicalRising
20219—1449—Not enough data
20203960,000144935 · FewerRising
20195635,000144939 · TypicalRising
20186027,2903—4961 · TypicalRising
20178250,5004—4958 · TypicalRising

All Kia Niro model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Kia Niro have?

NHTSA recorded 39 consumer complaints for the 2020 Kia Niro as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2020 Kia Niro is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 9 complaints (23% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2020 Kia Niro been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2020 Kia Niro do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Kia Niro 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Kia Niro get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Kia Niro (Niro, 1.6L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 49 mpg combined, 51 city and 46 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Kia Niro reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 70,500 miles; 44% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.