2021 Kia NIRO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2021 Kia NIRO has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: i received important safety recall letter for nhtsa recall # 23v534. the hca & or fuse might need to be replaced . i brought the 2021 nero to my local kia dealership, eagle kia ,riverhead ny on january 18th. the dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno.

1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

25%

• I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno
• EV motor and drive train have a clattering noise, much like a playing card attached to a bicycle clattering against the wheel spokes. it speeds up and slows down with the acceleration of the motor.
• This is a hybrid vehicle. It has Dual clutch transmission. Since I have owned it, intermittently the clutch does not disengage completely. This causes the vehicle to try to pull ahead but my foot is on the brake. The vehicle does not stall. Somehow it figures out it can't pull ahead and somehow full

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

2 complaints

17%

• There is a silver strip of "trim" running completely across the dashboard just above the radio controls. It is so reflective that a glare occurs periodically throughout the day when the sun hits it. It's so bad that it blocks the left side mirror with the reflection and can even blind the driver. Th
• While driving on a major highway, my sunroof suddenly exploded. Luckily the screen was pulled shut otherwise I would have been covered in glass. I was able to drive to the next exit and park the vehicle to then get out and observe the damage. There was a gaping hole in the sunroof. I called a to

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“There is a silver strip of "trim" running completely across the dashboard just above the radio controls. It is so reflective that a glare occurs periodically throughout the day when the sun hits it. It's so bad that it blocks the left side mirror with the reflection and can even blind the driver. Th”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

2 complaints

17%

• Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. HEV light lit up on dashboard and a warning message was displayed alerting me to immediately pull over and turn off the vehicle. At the same time the vehicle was not responding and acceleration became troubling and with marked hesitation. After waiti
• I own a 2021 Kia Niro. The rear backup camera intermittently fails to operate. When shifting into reverse, the display screen will either go completely black or the camera will not activate at all. This issue occurs unpredictably and without warning. As a result, I am unable to see behind the vehicl

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. HEV light lit up on dashboard and a warning message was displayed alerting me to immediately pull over and turn off the vehicle. At the same time the vehicle was not responding and acceleration became troubling and with marked hesitation. After waiti”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

17%

• Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?
• I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

2 complaints

17%

• I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno
• EV motor and drive train have a clattering noise, much like a playing card attached to a bicycle clattering against the wheel spokes. it speeds up and slows down with the acceleration of the motor.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: I received important safety recall letter for NHTSA recall # 23V534. the HCA & or Fuse might need to be replaced . I brought the 2021 Nero to my local Kia dealership, Eagle kia ,Riverhead NY on January 18th. The dealership still has the vehicle & claims that a code came up when they did the diagno
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: There is a silver strip of "trim" running completely across the dashboard just above the radio controls. It is so reflective that a glare occurs periodically throughout the day when the sun hits it. It's so bad that it blocks the left side mirror with the reflection and can even blind the driver. Th
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Vehicle is available for inspection upon request. HEV light lit up on dashboard and a warning message was displayed alerting me to immediately pull over and turn off the vehicle. At the same time the vehicle was not responding and acceleration became troubling and with marked hesitation. After waiti
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: Problem has not been remedied. What is my recourse? How long do I have to drive around worried about the car going on fire?
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)