2021 Kia Niro: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 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 2 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
43–50
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 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.
2021 Kia Niro recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Niro, newest first.
Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera
NHTSA 25V426000Reported Jun 20, 2025
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC342)
Units affected
11,327 (estimate)
Problem
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Niro EV vehicles. The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.
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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2021 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.
2021 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.
2021 Kia Niro NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Kia Niro Electric SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2021 Kia Niro Hybrid SUV FWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
12.1%
Optional
2021 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
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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2021 Kia Niro owner complaints
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Niro, most recently on Apr 13, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Kia Niro complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
4
Electrical system
2
Engine
2
Unknown or other
2
Back over prevention: Back-up alarm
1
Service brakes
1
Vehicle speed control
1
Visibility: Sun/moon roof assembly
1
Visibility/wiper
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
