NIRO

Kia Niro — MPG, VIN Decoder, Recalls, Reliability & Specs

Everything on the Kia Niro — 28 recalls, common problems, the best & worst years, full specs, MPG and NHTSA safety, by model year.

Data · NHTSA & EPA · 2017–2026 · 10 model years · Updated Jul 12, 2026 · 4.0 ★★★★★★★★★★ ForCar Score
Quick answer

The Kia Niro spans 2017–2026 with 28 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2023, 2022, 2025 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2017, 2018, 2019. It delivers up to 113 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.

Advertisement
2017–2026
Years
28
Recalls
113
Top MPG
5★
NHTSA
97
Complaints
FIG.01
4.0/5
★★★★★★★★★★
ForCar Reliability Score
Our editorial rating · 10 model years
Kia Niro
Safety (NHTSA)5.0
Recall record4.1
Complaint severity3.0

How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.

Overview

The Kia Niro is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2017 to 2026 across multiple generations.

Advertisement

How to read a Kia Niro VIN — every digit explained

Every Kia Niro carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.

FIG.02
1–3 · WMI5NP
4–8 · VDSCM826
9 · Check5
10 · YearR
11 · PlantA
12–17 · Serial004352
  • WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Kia and the country it was built in (real Kia codes below).
  • VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
  • Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
  • Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
  • Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Niro.
  • Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Real Kia WMIs — the first 3 VIN digits by build country
  • USA5NP · 5XX · 5XY · U5Y
  • South KoreaKNA · KND · KNJ
  • Mexico3KM · 3KP
17 CHARS·SOURCE SAE / ISO 3779 · NHTSA vPIC

Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Niro, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.

How many recalls does the Kia Niro have?

The Kia Niro has 28 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.

2025 Kia Niro recalls 1

Seats25V024000

What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.

Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.

2024 Kia Niro recalls 1

Seats25V024000

What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.

Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.

2023 Kia Niro recalls 2

Seats25V024000

What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and Hybrid vehicles. The floor wiring assembly beneath the front passenger seat may become damaged, which can prevent the front air bags and seat belts from deploying properly or cause an unintended side curtain air bag deployment.

Risk. Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix. Dealers will inspect, replace and reroute the floor wiring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, dealers will install wiring covers. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC332.

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel23V298000

What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen.  The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.  As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 101, "Control and Displays," and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Risk. A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix. Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC270.

2022 Kia Niro recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

2021 Kia Niro recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

2020 Kia Niro recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

2019 Kia Niro recalls 1

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

2018 Kia Niro recalls 3

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

Hybrid Propulsion System22V836000

What's wrong. 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 the rear seats.

Risk. Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.

Fix. Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Hybrid Propulsion System18V666000

What's wrong. 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.

Risk. The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.

2017 Kia Niro recalls 4

Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids23V534000

What's wrong. 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.

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.

Hybrid Propulsion System22V836000

What's wrong. 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 the rear seats.

Risk. Overheated rear seats increase the risk of a fire.

Fix. Dealers will inspect the PRA and replace either the PRA or the Main Relay, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC256. This recall supersedes NHTSA recall number 18V-666. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Hybrid Propulsion System18V257000

What's wrong. 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.

Risk. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HCA caps for leaked oil and replace the HCA assembly if needed, or replace the HCA cap with additional sealant. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC163.

Hybrid Propulsion System18V666000

What's wrong. 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.

Risk. The increased electrical resistance can overheat the rear seat which is above the PRA, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) for damage. If no damage is found, the main relay will be replaced. If damage is found, the PRA will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC168.

Advertisement

Best and worst years for the Kia Niro

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 10 tracked years, the worst years are 2023, 2022, 2025 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2017, 2018, 2019.

ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.

FIG.03
YearOwner complaintsTop issueVerdict
2017 Niro0Best
2018 Niro0Best
2019 Niro0Best
2020 Niro0Average
2021 Niro9Power TrainAverage
2022 Niro27Service BrakesAvoid
2023 Niro40Electrical SystemAvoid
2024 Niro8Electrical SystemAverage
2025 Niro13SuspensionAvoid
2026 Niro0Average
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA + ForCar
Advertisement

What are the most common Kia Niro problems?

The most-reported Kia Niro problems are Base (1 reports), Shell (1 reports) and Tires (1 reports) — out of 97 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:

18
involved a crash
0
involved a fire
16
injuries reported
0
deaths reported

Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.

Kia Niro specifications & dimensions

The 2026 Kia Niro. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Kia Niro window sticker.

Specs cache warming…

How the Niro's size changed by generation:

YearsLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseCurb weight
2023174″72″62″107″3,717 lb
2017–2020172″71″61″106″3,166 lb

Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.

Advertisement

Kia Niro cargo space, seating & interior room

How much the Niro holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 105 cu ft of passenger volume and 23 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.

105
Passenger ft³
23
Cargo ft³
128
Total interior ft³

Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.

Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.

Kia Niro tire size, oil type & owner specs

The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.

Wheels & tires
Wheel sizeby VIN
Tire sizeby VIN
Bolt patternby trim
Tire pressure32–36 PSI
Engine oil
Oil typeFull synthetic
Gradeon oil cap
Capacityby engine
Battery
Main battery12V · group by trim
Key-fob cellCR2032
Wiper blades
Front bladesby generation
Rear bladeif equipped
Fuses
Fuse boxeshood + dash
Diagramon box lid
Light bulbs
Headlightby trim
Tail / brakeby trim
Fogif equipped

Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.

Advertisement

What MPG does the Kia Niro get?

The Kia Niro returns up to 113 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $700/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:

The 2026 Kia Niro (1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 53 mpg combined and costs about $1,150/yr to fuel, emitting 167 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 8/10) — that's about $5,250 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.

FIG.04a
YearCityHwyCombFuel/yrCO₂ g/miSmogEngine
2026 Niro535453$1,1501671.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2025 Niro535453$1,1501676/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2024 Niro535453$1,1501677/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2023 Niro535453$1,1501677/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2022 Niro534850$1,2501797/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2021 Niro534850$1,2501797/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2020 Niro524950$1,2501777/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2019 Niro524950$1,2501777/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2018 Niro524950$1,2501777/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
2017 Niro524950$1,2501778/101.6L 4-cyl Hybrid
ROWS 10·SOURCE EPA (ForCar database)

The 2026 Kia Niro gets 113 MPGe and costs about $700/yr to fuel — that's about $7,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.

FIG.04b
YearCityHwyCombFuel/yrCO₂ g/miSmogEngine
2026 Niro126101113$700Electric
2025 Niro126101113$70010/10Electric
2024 Niro126101113$65010/10Electric
2023 Niro126101113$65010/10Electric
2022 Niro123102112$70010/10Electric
2021 Niro123102112$70010/10Electric
2020 Niro123102112$70010/10Electric
2019 Niro123102112$70010/10Electric
ROWS 8·SOURCE EPA (ForCar database)

Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.

See how the Niro stacks up against the most fuel-efficient wagons, or calculate this Niro's real yearly fuel cost.

What engines does the Kia Niro have? Power & range

The Kia Niro is offered with 2 powertrains — 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.

FIG.05
EngineDisplacementTransmissionDriveFuel
Hybrid1.6L · 4-cylAutomatic (AM-S6)FWDRegular
ElectricElectric motorSingle-speedFWDElectricity
ROWS 2·SOURCE EPA + NHTSA vPIC
253 mi
Electric range
7.5 hrs
Charge · 240V
113
MPGe combined

Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.

Advertisement

How much does a Kia Niro cost to own?

A used Kia Niro sells for a median of about $24,695 for a 2024 — most listed between $16,400 and $26,811, from 51 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:

FIG.10
YearTypical priceMarket rangeListings
2024 Niro$24,695$16,400–$26,8113
2023 Niro$25,985$18,900–$25,98511
2022 Niro$18,900$12,495–$21,9846
2020 Niro$2,600$2,600–$16,9955
2019 Niro$11,998$9,995–$14,5009
2018 Niro$5,900$5,900–$17,90014
ROWS 6·SOURCE ForCar market · real US listings

For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Niro is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.

A Kia Niro depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.

80%
Value @ 1 yr
61%
Value @ 3 yrs
46%
Value @ 5 yrs
$3,500
Est. 5-yr fuel
FIG.06
$
AgeValue retainedEst. resale valueLost to depreciation
Year 180%$24,000−$6,000
Year 270%$21,000−$9,000
Year 361%$18,300−$11,700
Year 453%$15,900−$14,100
Year 546%$13,800−$16,200
ROWS 5·SOURCE ForCar estimate

What goes into the five-year cost to own:

  • Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Niro loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
  • Fuel — ≈ $3,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
  • Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Niro ages.
  • Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.

Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.

How much is a Kia Niro to insure?

A Kia Niro costs about $1,464 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 2% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (102, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.

FIG.07
$1,464/yr
estimate · typical driver · full coverage · US average
$1,464
Est. / year
+2%
vs average car
$1,244–1,684
Typical range
102
HLDI loss index
CheaperAveragePricier
Where the money goes · full coverage
Liability (BI + PD)$703
Collision$410
Comprehensive$176
Other (UM / PIP)$176
LOSS INDEX 102·UNIT est. $/yr·SOURCE HLDI × NAIC
★ This is a typical-driver estimate. Go Pro to dial in your coverage, age & deductible — and see this car inside the full 5-year cost-to-own.Upgrade to Pro →

Estimate = US-average premium × the Niro's HLDI loss index. See Kia insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.

Is the Kia Niro safe?

The Kia Niro earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:

FIG.08
YearOverallFrontalSideRollover
2026 Niro★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2025 Niro★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2024 Niro★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2023 Niro★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2022 Niro★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★
2021 Niro★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2020 Niro★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
2019 Niro★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA NCAP

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.

Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.

Upgrade to Pro

Tired of ads? Go Pro.

  • Zero ads — clean, fast pages
  • Exact mileage-adjusted car values
  • Full research reports + PDF
  • Market charts & price-drop alerts
  • …and much more
Free plan available — no credit card needed
Advertisement

How many miles does a Kia Niro last?

A well-maintained Kia Niro typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.

NIRO

Check your Kia Niro’s VIN — history, recalls & specs

Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.

Check this Niro’s VIN free →

All Kia Niro model years

A year-by-year snapshot of the Kia Niro — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.

FIG.09
YearRecallsBest MPGSafety
2026 Niro1 recall113 mpg★★★★☆
2025 Niro2 recalls113 mpg★★★★☆
2024 Niro3 recalls113 mpg★★★★★
2023 Niro3 recalls113 mpg★★★★★
2022 Niro3 recalls112 mpg★★★★★
2021 Niro4 recalls112 mpg★★★★☆
2020 Niro3 recalls112 mpg★★★★☆
2019 Niro2 recalls112 mpg★★★★☆
2018 Niro3 recalls50 mpg
2017 Niro4 recalls50 mpg
ROWS 10·SOURCE NHTSA + EPA

Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).

Advertisement

Frequently asked questions

What are the worst years for the Niro?

By owner-complaint volume, 2023, 2022, 2025 drew the most reports. 2017, 2018, 2019 have the cleanest records.

How many recalls does the Niro have?

28 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2017–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.

What MPG does the Niro get?

Up to 113 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.

Is the Niro safe?

The Niro earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.

How many miles does a Niro last?

A well-maintained Niro typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.

Is the Niro reliable?

Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Niro is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.

What's the Kia Niro warranty?

New Kia models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Kia dealer.

Where is the Kia Niro made?

The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Niro's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Kia may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.

How much ground clearance does the Niro have?

Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.

Data sourced from NHTSA (recalls, complaints, safety ratings) and EPA fueleconomy.gov (MPG). Best/worst-year analysis is ForCar's own aggregation of complaint volume. Last updated Jul 2026. — ForCar Editorial Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.
Advertisement