Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Kia Niro. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Engine Compartment Fire
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (9)
9 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 3 | 33.3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 22.2% |
| Engine | 2 | 22.2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 22.2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 11.1% |
| Visibility | 1 | 11.1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 11.1% |
How 2021 compares with other Niro years
Best and worst Niro years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 82 | 4 |
| 2018 | 60 | 3 |
| 2019 | 56 | 1 |
| 2020 | 39 | 1 |
| 2021 | 9 | 1 |
| 2022 | 31 | 1 |
| 2023 | 44 | 2 |
| 2024 | 10 | 1 |
| 2025 | 17 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 112 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 112 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 123 / 102 / 112 | $700 | — |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 53 / 48 / 50 | $1,350 | 179 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 51 / 46 / 49 | $1,350 | 183 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 48 / 44 / 46 | $1,450 | 90 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 46 / 40 / 43 | $1,550 | 208 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 Niro for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Kia Niro FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Niro have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 23V534000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Niro problems?
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (3), Electrical system (2), Engine (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Kia Niro get?
EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 123 city, 102 highway and 112 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2021 Niro compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 Kia Niro model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (9) and the 2017 the most (82). The 2021 drew 9. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
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.