Hatchback · Hybrid
Kia Niro 2017–2022 (DE)

- Your fit
- Take the quiz
- Price
- $22,900–$39,000
- MPG
- 50
- Strength: Excellent running costs
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average reliability
How it scores for you10 scores
A rock-solid, dirt-cheap-to-run efficiency hatch with real EV range, but tight cargo, no towing, and dull dynamics keep it purely practical.
Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years; 5 of its 8 recalls were serious. About 9% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +6 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $1,350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 86% of cars we track.
19.4 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 19% of other hatchbacks we track.
Five seats with 19.4 cu ft cargo (54.5 folded) is practical for a compact hatch. Decent rear room, slightly above typical for the class.
Niro prioritizes efficiency over engagement. 139 hp, FWD-only, and a comfort-tuned chassis make it competent but unexciting. EV version has instant torque but modest overall dynamics.
Offers modern hybrid/PHEV/EV powertrains, up to 239 mi EV range, and Kia's user-friendly infotainment. Solid for the era but not class-leading in driver-assist or displays.
Quiet, smooth crossover-hatch ride typical of efficiency-focused Kias. Well-equipped cabin, but firm-ish seats and modest refinement keep it segment-average.
EVs have typically lost value the fastest.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls17 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
17 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2017–2022
- Powertrain — 37 complaints (2019)
- Recall — Powertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids (2022)
- Powertrain — 25 complaints (2018)
2022
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- RecallElectrical: propulsion system: shock protection24V358000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Niro EV vehicles. The high voltage battery safety plug may overheat and melt, which can cause a loss of drive power or fire.
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera25V426000
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) numb
- Complaint clusterElectrical19 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I park the car, lock it and then later on can’t open it. I use the emergency key to enter it but then can’t start it even with a new battery in the key fob. It happened twice. It is an issue that needs to be fixed as soon as possible because in case of emergency you’re stuck outside your car and c
- Complaint clusterPowertrain16 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Niro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V534000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact recently received a
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other14 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
am writing to formally request assistance regarding my Kia vehicle which I purchased used at approximately 38,000 miles. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle became undrivable and has since required repeated repairs without resolution. To date, the vehicle has been presented for repair on six separat
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper5 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Spontaneous combustion of the Sunroof. The Kia Niro is garage held in Colorado. While the temperature was in the teens the car has been driven and kept in much lower temps. No, Snow was on top of the car. When parking the car in the garage a loud noise was heard and the entire sunroof shattered
2021
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera25V426000
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) numb
2020
- RecallElectrical: propulsion system: traction battery: thermal management: fluid/coolant22V899000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Niro EV vehicles. The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may have been improperly sealed and may leak coolant internally.
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera25V426000
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) numb
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other14 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The AC compressor failed due to an isolation resistance failure at the high voltage inverter. Freon leaked from the AC system into the battery chiller coolant loop, causing crystallization and blockages in the inverter coolant circuit. This is a battery thermal management system failure. The failure
- Complaint clusterElectrical13 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a supplemental complaint to NHTSA Complaint #11744598 and #11749340. Multiple 2020 Kia Niro Hybrid and Plug‑In Hybrid vehicles are exhibiting identical Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) failures. I have personally encountered other Niro owners reporting the same intermittent EPB/ABS/ESC warning
- Complaint clusterPowertrain13 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
What's malfunctioning: coolant monitoring system shows low coolant warning when coolant level is observably fine. Problem has been ongoing for over a year. Available for inspection: yes. Safety problem: coolant monitoring is inaccurate, causing alarm when coolant levels are fine and possibly causi
- Complaint clusterBrakes5 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
This submission is supplemental information for my prior NHTSA complaint (Complaint #XXX). After filing the original report, I learned additional details from the Kia dealership that serviced my vehicle. The service department stated that they have seen the same electronic parking brake controller a
2019
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain37 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
On August 22nd, I was driving from the grocery story to my house (5 miles away) when the transmission started failing only going on 2nd gear and the check engine light came on, when I got home, I called my mechanic and he connected his code reader to my card and the error code is P090B$07E9 Clutch "
- Complaint clusterElectrical17 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2019 Kia Niro. While driving normally on the street, the driver attempted to brake & the brakes would not respond. This is a very scary situation and Kia needs to handle immediately!! The message "Stop the Vehicle and Check Regenerative Brakes" was displayed. Thankfully the driver was able to come t
- Complaint clusterBrakes9 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and the parking brake was engaged to keep the vehicle from moving. The message "Stop th
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other9 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator has caused functional driving issues and caused my vehicle to go into limp mode. I was never informed of the recall issue prior to purchase, and the recall was marked as complete, when it was not. The fix for KIA NIRO Recall SC276 was incomplete in January 2024, and I
- Complaint clusterEngine7 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
I have a Kia Niro Hybrid. I had the check engine light come on. I took it to Kia dealership in Cicero, NY (Driver's Village/ Burdick Kia. Upon inspection, the dealership stated the following: "CONFIRM CUSTOMER CONCERN CEL ON, P0401 EGR INSUFFICIENT FLOW EGR PORT BECOMES CLOGGED AT HIGH MILEAGE, EGR
2018
- RecallHybrid propulsion18V666000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
- RecallHybrid propulsion22V836000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain25 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The dealership is falsely reporting to Kia Corporate and the NHTSA that Recall SC276 is 'completed' by only replacing a fuse. They are refusing to replace the actively leaking, fire-hazardous Hydraulic Clutch Actuator unless I pay an out-of-pocket diagnostic fee. They are violating federal recall sa
- Complaint clusterElectrical18 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My kia niro 2018 backup camera takes a few seconds to start up when the vehicle is put in reverse. the time it takes differs from a second to sometimes 5 seconds. I know of accident caused in a McDonalds drive through where someone was backing up but the cam didn't turn on right away and they got in
- Complaint clusterEngine8 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Just before Hurricane Helene, I brought my 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid to Asheville Kia (NC) after noticing coolant loss and white smoke coming from the exhaust. The dealership charged me $1,400 for a repair involving new gaskets and the EGR cooler. Within a month, the same symptoms returned. I returned t
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2018 Kia Niro had the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) replacement in 2024 due to a recall. About two years later, it failed again causing the call to completely stop working creating safety issues for me. The car was towed to the dealership but Kia refused to pay for the fix. I eventually paid fo
2017
- RecallSteering: electric power assist system17V159000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Niro vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
- RecallHybrid propulsion18V257000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Kia Niro vehicles. The Hydraulic Clutch Actuator (HCA) inner oil seal may leak, allowing oil to accumulate in the cap area, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
- RecallHybrid propulsion18V666000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance.
- RecallHybrid propulsion22V836000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Kia Niro hybrid electric vehicles previously recalled under recall 18V-666. The Main Relay within the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) may have inadequate connections between its contacts, causing increased electrical resistance, which can overheat
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: internal: clutches/bands: actuators/solenoids23V534000
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.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain21 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
The vehicle's hydraulic clutch actuator (HCA) has failed and is actively leaking fluid onto the printed circuit board (PCB), creating an immediate electrical short and engine bay fire hazard. This failure is identical to the defect detailed in Safety Recall SC276 (NHTSA Campaign 23V534). As indica
- Complaint clusterEngine20 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Kia Dealership (DCH Kia of Temecula) Repair order 237695 shows Recall SC276 was 'passed' via inspection on October 16, 2025. However, the Hydraulic Clutch Actuator has now suffered the exact fluid leak the recall warned about, destroying the slave cylinder. The dealership is refusing to honor the sa
- Complaint clusterElectrical17 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
September 18th I had to jump the battery from the 12 volt switch at the drivers side dash. Going to the dealership where I had bought it on August 27th I noticed smoke rolling out from behind the car. I exited off the highway 40 and checked the oil it was clean and full. Water level in radiator was
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other11 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding a repeat failure of the Active Air Flap System on my 2017 Kia Niro, which I believe raises a broader safety and reliability concern. On XXX, my vehicle displayed a check engine light and “Check Active Air Flap System” warning. An authorized Kia dealer, Huffi
- Complaint clusterSteering8 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The message, "Turn Off the Vehicle and Stop" was displayed, and the transmission failure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and turne
Cost to own$16,800 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$22,900–$39,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,350/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
52
Highway MPG
49
Combined MPG
50
Electric range
239 mi
Horsepower
139 hp
Doors
4
Length
171.7 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
60.6 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,166 lb
Cargo volume
19.4 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
54.5 cu ft
Check a listing
Sign in to check a specific listing against this car's data.