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2021 Kia Niro EVProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2021 Kia Niro EV, most often about the back over prevention. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 25V-426 the manufacturer reports only 59% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 59%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Back over prevention

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 20, 2025. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2021 Kia Niro EV has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Back over prevention10
Service brakes10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2021 Kia Niro EV recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

59%repaired · 2026 Q3

Sensing system: camera

Recall 25V-426 · Jun 20, 2025 · 11,327 vehicles · 6,686 repaired

Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

2021 vs. every other Niro EV year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Niro EV median. How we score

'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2021 Kia Niro EV, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
In owners' words

What Niro EV owners report

Recent back over prevention complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I'm a new Niro Ev driver. The VESS noise when reversing the vehicle is very loud. It is too loud, I live in close proximity to neighbors and have to get up early for work and the sound is a major nuisance, I would not want a neighbor that has this car. I understand VESS in place for safety but the…
Complaint 11427104 · Jul 30, 2021

Own a 2021 Niro EV?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.