Kia Niro PHEV Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Niro PHEV model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (1) and the 2019 the most (26).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
2 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
3 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
13 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
26 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Niro PHEV years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Kia Niro PHEV: 26 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 9 (35%); Engine 4 (15%); Electrical system 3 (12%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Kia Niro PHEV: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (46%); Engine 4 (31%); Electrical system 2 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
2020 Kia Niro PHEV: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 2 (40%); Service brakes 1 (20%); Steering 1 (20%).
1 recall campaign listed.
The Kia Niro PHEV years with the fewest complaints
2020 Kia Niro PHEV: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 2 (40%); Service brakes 1 (20%); Steering 1 (20%).
1 recall campaign listed.
2018 Kia Niro PHEV: 13 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (46%); Engine 4 (31%); Electrical system 2 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Niro PHEV owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Kia Niro PHEV recalls
- Engine Compartment Fire (2018–2022 model years; 121,411 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2023; 23V534000)
- Blank LCD Display/FMVSS 101 & 138 (2023 model year; 108,936 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2023; 23V298000)
- Improper Air Bag Deployment from Damaged Wiring (2023–2025 model years; 80,255 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2025; 25V024000)
All 3 Kia Niro PHEV recall campaigns · Kia Niro PHEV problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Kia Niro PHEV years FAQ
Which Kia Niro PHEV year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Kia Niro PHEV years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2018 and 2020 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Kia Niro PHEV problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (26 of 68 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Niro PHEV have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the Kia Niro PHEV. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Niro PHEV recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.