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Kia NiroModel year report

2021 Kia Niro Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
—no mileage reported
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2021 Kia Niro (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 Kia Niro. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 53 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the actuators/solenoids and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 36 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730504, filed 2026-04

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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11570590, filed 2024-02

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, filed 2026-03

Other or unknown: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730887, filed 2026-04

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

202120222023202420263
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 2021 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 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: 4–5 stars overall. 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 2021 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 automatic534850$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 2021 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. 53 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 53 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 2021 Kia Niro have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 Kia Niro as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Kia Niro is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2021 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 2021 Kia Niro do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 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 2021 Kia Niro get?

The EPA rates the 2021 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.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.