2020 Kia Niro EV: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jun 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“There is a silver strip that runs horizontally along the middle of the dashboard from one side to the other. It's made out of a very reflective material. During the midday hours, it brightly shines the sun directly into the driver's and passenger's eyes-it's very blinding!-and makes it difficult and unsafe to drive. I can't even begin to think about teaching our teenage son how to drive in this car because of this safety issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2025
“The interior instrument panel horizontal angled trim has a shiny metal surface that when the sun shines on it, reflects into the driver's eyes causing a blinding experience. The driver cannot see the instrument panel, the display, the controls, and causes a total white out/ washout of visibility. Due to a camera's light sensitivity and auto adjustment of same, pictures don't serve well as to the actual blinding experience.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2024
“About 7 months ago, "Refill Inverter Coolant" warning came up. Since then, I've scheduled service appoitment wtih Van Nuys Kia dealership 5 times to resolve this issue, but even after recent appoitment 2 weeks ago, this warning is still came up on my dashboard. Every time I start the car, the persistent refill inverter coolant light comes on. I believe I am experiencing this issue because KIA and their dealership where I bought my car doesn't want take ownership of this issue and resolve it. I am deeply concerned about my safety and the safety of my children when I drive my Kia vehicle.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2024
Show 3 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that after charging the battery to 80 percent, the vehicle immediately turned off while reversing out of the charging station. After restarting the vehicle and driving, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who cleared the failure codes and tested drove the vehicle, but no failure was identified. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,972.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2022
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an undisclosed recall on two separate occasions; however, the part failed a third time after the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer declined to offer additional repairs under the recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V899000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); and associated the failures with the recall. The vehicle was driven to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2022
“Volume on vess and backup alert system greatly exceeds recommended levels, to the point where backing up out of garage can annoy neighbors in their homes. When backing out of a parking spot at a local strip mall, the volume of the backup alert from the vess was so shocking that it startled a pedestrian, causing them to trip and almost fall on their face. Kia does not provide a way to reduce vess volume to closer to NHTSA recommended levels. Also, vess stays engaged up to around 23 mph, making it an annoyance to people we share the road with under lower speed conditions such as neighborhood streets.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC342.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the EPCU as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC258.
How other years compare
Counts are not adjusted for time on the road here - see all Niro EV years ranked fairly for the age-adjusted comparison.
Check your exact Niro EV by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Kia Niro EV reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Kia Niro EV. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Kia Niro EV have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.