2021 Kia niro
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Kia niro is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 840 on record.
2021 Kia niro at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2021 Kia niro recalls 1
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.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2021 Kia niro common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2021 Kia niro MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
What's a 2021 Kia niro worth?
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2021 Kia niro costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($31,158) with the same model 4 model-years older ($16,796), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2021 Kia niro — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…
NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 53
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 53.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR – ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information…
Bulletin TSB_CLI049_R2 · Electrical System, Visibility/wiper · Aug 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: BMS BATTERY DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2603) - This bulletin provides information regarding a Battery Management System (BMS) software update for certain 2020–2022MY Niro (DE EV) vehicles produced…
Bulletin PI2603_TSB · Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System · Jun 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at upda…
Bulletin TSB_ELE422 · Electrical System · May 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB p…
Bulletin TSB_ELE417 · Electrical System · Apr 2026PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating dis…
Bulletin PS797 · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relat…
Bulletin TSB_TRA046_R5 · Power Train · Apr 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The affected vehicles m…
Bulletin TSB_ELE378 · Electrical System · Mar 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information t…
Bulletin TSB_ELE347_R1 · Electrical System · Dec 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE DEALER MODE FACTORY RESET - This bulletin provides the procedure to perform the ‘Dealer Mode Factory Reset’ on multiple 2020-2021MY vehicles (listed on page 5) equipped with AVN 5.0 Wide head units. The affected vehicle…
Bulletin TSB_ELE361 · Electrical System · Dec 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides i…
Bulletin TSB_ELE303_R3 · Electrical System · Nov 2024Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the NIRO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia niro. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Visual System
Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the rearview camera could cause the rearview camera image not to display. Canadian regulations require the rearview image to display when the vehicle is reversing. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash…
Transport Canada #2025345 · Jun 2025Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, water could enter the integrated electronic brake (IEB) and cause it to corrode. If this happens, the IEB motor could fail and cause reduced braking. Note: This service campaign only affects certain Niro EV models. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify…
Transport Canada #2025003 · Jan 2025Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safet…
Transport Canada #2024549 · Aug 2024Powertrain
Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid could leak onto the printed circuit board for the hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA). If this happens, the circuit board could short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit could create the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspe…
Transport Canada #2023423 · Aug 2023Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Kia niro
The Kia Niro is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment) manufactured by Kia since 2016. It is an electrification-focused vehicle, offering three versions: hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric variants.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2021 Kia niro trims & engines on record
2021 Kia niro vehicles on record
2021 Kia niro Touring, Touring Special EditionKNDCC3LCXM5463624
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC3M5464911
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC0M5464087
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC0M5462730
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC7M5470159
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC1M5470108
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC3M5465671
2021 Kia niro EX PremiumKNDCE3LC5M5465307
2021 Kia niro Touring, Touring Special EditionKNDCC3LC2M5463472
2021 Kia niro LX, LXSKNDCB3LC0M5464073
2021 Kia niroKNDCC3LG7N5118216
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFM5105076
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFM5093921
2021 Kia niroKNDCC3LC2M5463102
2021 Kia niroKNDCC3LG6N5142314
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFM5090449
2021 Kia niroKNDCE3LG1N5135412
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFM5104097
2021 Kia niroKNDCC3LC7M5463144
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFN5114620
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFN5114619
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFN5122113
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFN5142081
2021 Kia niroKNACC81GFM5094239