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2019 Kia Niro

ElectricPlug-in hybridHybrid
Small Station Wagons
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
85 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA98
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA239 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA50 mpg
20272026202520242023202220212020201920182017

The 2019 Kia Niro is sold in the U.S. as a electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid wagon with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Niro Electric, is EPA-rated at 239 miles with 112 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 98 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Niro ElectricElectricFWD150 kW IPMSM123102112 MPGe239 mi30.09.5 h$700
Niro Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 32kW IPMSM484446 (66 MPGe blended)26 mi electric322.2 h$1,350
Niro FEHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 240V Li-Ion524950———$1,250
NiroHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 240V Li-Ion514649———$1,250
Niro TouringHybridFWD1.6L 4-cyl + 240V Li-Ion464043———$1,450

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41060, 40863, 40788, 40786, 40787.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2019 Kia Niro is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Power Train

SC276
121,411 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA fire increases the risk of injury.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V534000reported Jul 31, 2023Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — 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 have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
98complaints filed

5 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 3 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 17 · 2024: 22 · 2025: 12 · 2026: 12

Most-cited components

Power Train38
Electrical System22
Engine16
Service Brakes15
Unspecified13
Fuel/Propulsion System8

What owners describe

“Our 2019 Kia Niro EV (approximately 138,000 miles) exhibits an abnormal rumble/growling noise from the front drive unit while driving slowly in "D" range and when accelerating or decelerating between 0–25 mph. This symptom matches exactly the condition described in Kia Technical Service Bulletin ELE234 (Rev. 1, April…”Jun 18, 2026 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“This complaint supplements a previously submitted report filed today, June 18, 2026, (Original is Complaint Number: 11845044) regarding the same vehicle and condition (TSB ELE234 drive unit rumble noise). The correct VIN for this vehicle is [XXX] — a 2019 Kia Niro EV EX Premium, 138,457 miles. I am filing on behalf o…”Jun 18, 2026 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“1. Failed Component/System: EV plastic charging door does not open using the electronic unlock mechanism on the key. Unable to charge EV vehicle due to this fundamental failure. IMPORTANT: There are no manual override mechanisms provided by the manufacturer - KIA to open this charging door. This makes the EV both unsaf…”Sep 14, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆12%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2019 Niro with

2019 Nissan Rogue Sport →

Other Niro model years

A

2027 Kia Niro

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Kia Niro

0 recalls · 2 complaints

A

2025 Kia Niro

1 recalls · 19 complaints

B

2024 Kia Niro

2 recalls · 18 complaints

D

2023 Kia Niro

4 recalls · 65 complaints

D

2022 Kia Niro

3 recalls · 73 complaints

C

2021 Kia Niro

2 recalls · 12 complaints

D

2020 Kia Niro

3 recalls · 62 complaints

F

2018 Kia Niro

3 recalls · 71 complaints

F

2017 Kia Niro

5 recalls · 98 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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