YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Niro EV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

0/100

#7 most-complained of 7 Niro EV years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Kia Niro EV has 2 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 0 out of 100 — #7 highest of 7 Niro EV model years. The most reported problem area is brakes (1 complaints, 50% of the total).

Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2021 Kia Niro EV problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes1 (50%)
  2. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (50%)
2021 Kia Niro EV complaints: complaints filed per month1Jul 2021May 2025
2 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2021 to May 2025; peak Jul 2021 (1).

2021 Kia Niro EV recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V426000Jun 20, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras11,327 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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.

2021 compared with other Niro EV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good33170—
2020Caution50192—
2021No verdict021—
2022Avoid100302—
2023Avoid83153—

All Kia Niro EV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Niro EV a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Kia Niro EV ranks #7 of 7 among Niro EV model years (Complaint Index 0/100). It has 2 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Niro EV?
The most reported problem areas are brakes (1 complaints) and collision avoidance & cameras (1 complaints).
Does the 2021 Kia Niro EV have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Kia Niro EV, most recently reported 2025, covering collision avoidance & cameras.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.