repaired · 2025 Q3
Clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids
Risk. A fire increases the risk of injury.
2021 Kia NiroProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 9 owner complaints about the 2021 Kia Niro, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 23V-534 the manufacturer reports only 68% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: OathOn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Kia Niro has problems
9 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
3Power train
2Engine
2Electrical system
1Vehicle speed control1 crash/fire/injury
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2021 Kia Niro 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.
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 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 median. How we score
'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2021 Kia Niro, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
In owners' words
What Niro owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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.
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…
Own a 2021 Niro?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.