2019 Kia Niro: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2019 Kia Niro at 43–50 mpg combined (gas versions) and 112 MPGe combined with 239 miles of EPA-rated range across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 101 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
43–50
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as NIRO EV, NIRO PHEV.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2019 Kia Niro recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2019 Kia Niro, newest first.
Power train: Automatic transmission: Internal: Clutches/bands: Actuators/solenoids
NHTSA 23V534000Reported Jul 31, 2023
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC276)
Units affected
121,411 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2019 Kia Niro fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2019 Kia Niro crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2019 Kia Niro NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2019 Kia Niro Electric SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
2019 Kia Niro Hybrid SUV FWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
12.1%
Optional
2019 Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2019 Kia Niro owner complaints
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Niro, most recently on Oct 12, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2019 Kia Niro complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
39
Electrical system
23
Engine
17
Service brakes
15
Unknown or other
13
Fuel/propulsion system
11
Vehicle speed control
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Steering
4
Air bags
2
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
