YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Niro PHEV Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

0/100

#8 most-complained of 8 Niro PHEV years

The 2021 Kia Niro PHEV has just 1 complaint on file and a complaint index of 0, ranking it 8th (best) among the 8 model years with data. It has 1 recall covering the hydraulic clutch actuator.

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

Top 2021 Kia Niro PHEV problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain1 (100%)

What owners report

  • Owners report waiting on parts for the hydraulic clutch actuator recall repair, with the fix unavailable for longer than expected.
  • One owner described the manufacturer exceeding a reasonable amount of time to complete the Power Train recall (Campaign 23V534000).

2021 Kia Niro PHEV recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V534000Jul 31, 2023Transmission & Powertrain121,411 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids

    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.

2021 compared with other Niro PHEV years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Avoid100261—
2020Best1451—
2021No verdict011—
2022Caution71121—
2023Good4362—

All Kia Niro PHEV years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Niro PHEV reliable based on NHTSA data?
NHTSA lists only 1 complaint for the 2021 Kia Niro PHEV, giving it a complaint index of 0 and the best rank (8th of 8) among model years with data.
Does the 2021 Kia Niro PHEV have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (Campaign 23V534000) covers a hydraulic clutch actuator that can leak fluid onto the circuit board, potentially causing an engine compartment fire. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
What is the top problem area for the 2021 Kia Niro PHEV?
The only complaint on file falls under Transmission & Powertrain, making up 100% of reported issues for this year.
How does the 2021 Niro PHEV compare to other years?
The 2021 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 8 years with data, compared to 2019's index of 100 which carries an Avoid verdict.

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.