The most-reported Niro run is KNDCR3LEXP5 (2023 builds) with 6 complaints, 4× the typical run. Unknown or other problems make up 25% of reports; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Niro model years 2017–2025.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Kia Niro has 74 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 17% of every Niro complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNDCR3LEXP5•••••• | 2023 | 3 | — | |
| KNDCR3LE2P5•••••• | 2023 | 1 | — | |
| KNDCT3LE5P5•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| KNDCR3LE6P5•••••• | 2023 | 1 | — | |
| KNDCB3LC7N5•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| KNDCR3LE6S5•••••• | 2025 | — | — | |
| KNDCE3LG8N5•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| KNDCR3LE4P5•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| KNDCR3LE5P5•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| KNDCT3LE4P5•••••• | 2023 | — | — | |
| KNDCE3LC2N5•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| KNDCB3LC2N5•••••• | 2022 | — | — |
Each of the other 62 Niro runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 111 Niro VINs so far, most often 2023, 2024, 2026 builds; 7 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | 11 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 9 | 3 | |
| 2023 | 43 | 23 | 8 | |
| 2022 | 31 | 22 | 5 | |
| 2021 | 9 | 9 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2023 at 1.9 complaints per run; lightest is 2021 at 1. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Kia Niro owners report: Unknown Or Other, 33 of 109 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Engine | 2 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | — | |
| Air Bags | 6 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Kia Niro; the 6 below cover build years 2017 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V534000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:internal:clutches/bands:actuators/solenoids | 2017–2022 |
| 25V024000 | Seats | 2023–2025 |
| 18V666000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2017–2018 |
| 22V836000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2017–2018 |
| 23V298000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2023 |
| 18V257000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | 2017 |
23V534000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2017: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The Niro against its rivals
The Niro draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Subaru Impreza 1.6, the Buick Envista 1.9 and the Nissan ARIYA 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Niro | 109 | 74 | 17.4% | |
| Subaru Impreza | 2,416 | 1,501 | 7% | |
| Buick Envista | 90 | 48 | 2.2% | |
| Nissan ARIYA | 59 | 39 | 1.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 109 reports on the Kia Niro, 17.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Kia Niro | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 109 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 19 (17.4%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 0 (0%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 200% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Kia Niro share of that is 109 complaints over 74 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Kia Niro VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 109 NHTSA complaints from 74 Niro runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Niro production run has the most complaints?
KNDCR3LEXP5, a 2023 build, with 6 complaints, 3 of them after a crash. The typical Niro run has 1.5.
Which Niro years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2023 is heaviest at 1.9 complaints per run and 2021 lightest at 1.
Does the Niro get more complaints than the Subaru Impreza?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Niro against 1.6 for the Subaru Impreza.
How many Niro complaints involve a crash?
17.4% of 109 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.
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