Kia Niro problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 328 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file for the Kia Niro (2017–2026). The 2023 Niro has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
328
Recalls
6
Model years
10
Worst year
2023

Complaints by model year

7520174920185220193920209202131202244202310202417202522026
NHTSA complaints per Kia Niro model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Kia Niro years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2023 Kia Niro — 44 complaints, 8 crashes; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2019 Kia Niro — 52 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  3. 2017 Kia Niro — 75 complaints, 3 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Engine
  4. 2022 Kia Niro — 31 complaints, 5 crashes; top problem: Brakes
  5. 2020 Kia Niro — 39 complaints, 2 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Engine

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2021 (9 complaints).

Every Kia Niro model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2026 Niro21010Visibility & Wipers
2025 Niro172001Suspension
2024 Niro103051Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2023 Niro448062Electrical System
2022 Niro315041Brakes
2021 Niro91011Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 Niro392321Engine
2019 Niro524231Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 Niro493013Transmission & Drivetrain
2017 Niro753414Engine

Most common Kia Niro problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    87 complaints
  • Electrical System
    86 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    82 complaints
  • Brakes
    32 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    30 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    27 complaints
  • Airbags
    17 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    14 complaints
  • Steering
    11 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    10 complaints

Complaint trend

20202023202420252026
Complaints about the Kia Niro received by NHTSA each month.

Kia Niro recalls

  • Recall 25V024000Jan 17, 202580,255 vehiclesModel years 2023–2025

    Risk: Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 23V534000Jul 31, 2023121,411 vehiclesModel years 2017–2022

    Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

  • Recall 23V298000Apr 26, 2023108,936 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V836000Nov 11, 202227,030 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018

    Risk: Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 18V666000Sep 25, 201827,030 vehiclesModel years 2017–2018

    Risk: The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.

  • Recall 18V257000Apr 20, 201827,029 vehiclesModel years 2017

    Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Other Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology