2020 Kia Niro EV recalls and problems

The 2020 Kia Niro EV has 2 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
19
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Kia Niro EV vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 Kia Niro EV recalls

Recall 25V-426: Back Over Prevention

Reported Jun 20, 2025 · 11,327 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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."

Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 22V-899: Electrical System

Reported Dec 6, 2022 · 872 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Coolant contacting the EPCU circuit board may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2020 Kia Niro EV problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other8
Electrical System6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Power Train3
Lane Departure2
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Wheels1
Service Brakes1
Steering1
Visibility/Wiper1
Engine and Engine Cooling1

Most reported parts

  • Lane Departure › Assist — 2
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 44,910 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2020 Kia Niro EV complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 58,000 miles · reported Sep 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the coolant system warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle following a charging session, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle while the coolant system warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the 12-volt battery voltage decreased from 12 volts to 2 volts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times, and TSB: ELE270 was associated with the issue. The contact was informed that the inverter coolant pipes had failed and needed to be…
Unknown or Other · reported Aug 23, 2026
I am submitting a complaint regarding a safety issue with the rearview camera on my 2020 Kia Niro EV. VIN # [XXX] The rearview camera display has stopped functioning properly. Based on technical research and driver community reports, this issue appears to stem from an electrical surge that causes the camera circuit to malfunction. Upon checking owner forums, I became aware of an active manufacturer campaign/recall (Kia Recall SC342) related to this fault. However, I have not received any official recall notification or letter from Kia regarding my vehicle. Because a non-functioning rearview…
Back Over Prevention · at 11,000 miles · reported Jun 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Niro EV. The contact stated that the rearview camera intermittently failed to display an image when the vehicle was shifted into reverse. The contact stated that reverse engaged normally, and the audible alert was sounded; however, the display screen periodically remained blank. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred several times. The contact stated that the rearview camera operated properly for a while before the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to a dealer prior to the expiration of the warranty. The dealer was unable to…
Electrical System · at 55,000 miles · reported Feb 9, 2026
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.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 44,910 miles · reported Jul 21, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Niro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the refill inverter coolant warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the refill inverter warning light illuminated while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with debris and corrosion in the inverters and electronic water pump. The contact was informed that the radiator and the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that in November 2023, the contact received Technical Service Bulletin: SA512, and…

Other Kia Niro EV years

Compare all Kia Niro EV years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Kia Niro EV have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2020 Kia Niro EV: 25V-426 (back over prevention), 22V-899 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kia Niro EV?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (8 reports), followed by electrical system (6). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 44,910 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.