The Lemon Index
202020221st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 43–112 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Kia Seltos 1642021 Honda Passport 1672021 Toyota C-HR 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V426000 (back over prevention) and 23V534000 (transmission & drivetrain) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Kia sent dealers 75 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “6-speed dct shift impact/noise inspection and oil replacement - this bulletin”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Kia's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
In owners' words
Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?
2021 Kia Niro owner · NHTSA complaint 11555688
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 14.4M views · 2017–2022 Kia Niro
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical399K views
i’m 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid - hatchback, crossover? With battery & electric most practical clean car?Asian Petrolhead · 269K views · 5 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition48K views
2018 Kia Niro Hybrid Won’t Start? How to Jump Start It SafelyRoadside Guy · 48K views - Gauges, lights & wiring44K views
CK | 2022 Kia Niro EV | How To Change Your Ambient Lighting!Cardinal Kia · 28K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door36K views
Replace Kia Niro Cabin Air Filter - 2017 - 2022 - Lickity Split!Tech Angel · 22K views · 2 videos
Show 1 more
- Oil changes & service22K views
2016-2021 Kia Niro Hybrid LX Oil & Filter Change 1.6LSwan Can Fix It · 22K views
Before you buy, watch
2019 Kia Niro Hybrid Facelift Review - CarBuyer SingaporeCarBuyer Singapore · 19K views
Should you buy this BASE MODEL? | 2022 Kia Niro Hybrid Review 4KProductReview Cars · 17K views
Kia e-Niro SUV 2020 in-depth review | carwow Reviewscarwow · 1.3M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 75 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 6-speed dct shift impact/noise inspection and oil replacement - this bulletin
- Sharing kia connect credentials with third-party apps and potential impact to 12v battery in evs
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2025
The circuit board for the rearview camera may become damaged and cause the rearview camera image not to display.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2023
Fluid may leak into the printed circuit board inside the hydraulic clutch actuator, which can result in an engine compartment fire.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro Electric SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Kia Niro Hybrid SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–$1,400 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Kia Niro year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 7 Kia Niro years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-niro/?y=2021" title="Kia Niro reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/kia-niro/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Kia Niro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Kia Niro reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 32; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2021 Kia Niro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), transmission & drivetrain (25%) and wipers & visibility (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Niro have?
2 safety recalls (latest: back over prevention). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2021 Kia Niro safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Kia Niro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Kia Niro cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $1,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
Is there a better Kia Niro year than the 2021?
Not nearby: the 2021 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Kia Niro years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works