NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2025 Kia Niro Safety Ratings
The 2025 Kia Niro scores 84 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 1 recall, and 12 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
An active recall for floor wiring introduces a notable concern for the 2025 Kia Niro. This issue tempers an otherwise solid crash-test record, contributing to its NHTSA Safety Index of 84/100, which places it in the Strong band. For those consulting federal safety data, this year's Niro presents a credible, if not entirely unblemished, safety profile.
The 2025 Kia Niro received a 4-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, based on NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 153 SUVs from 2025 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2025 Kia Niro ranks 124 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 84 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 11.8% |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 12 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 124 of 153 SUVs tested for 2025 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2025 Kia Niro?
The 2025 Kia Niro posts a Safety Index of 84 out of 100, a one-point gain over the 2024 model year's 83, both sitting in the Strong band. That incremental improvement reflects a stable crash-protection score of 61 out of 70, anchored by the 5-star side-crash result, which is the single most impressive number on this year's sheet. The avoidance-tech sub-score of 5 out of 10 is the index's soft spot, suggesting room for improvement in active-safety feature breadth or scoring weight. The defect-record component contributes a healthy 18 out of 20, consistent with a vehicle carrying only one recall. That recall, however, is specific and meaningful: a floor wiring assembly concern spanning 2023 through 2025 Niro hybrid variants introduces a real-world action item for any owner or prospective buyer. The 12 filed complaints, while unverified, include two alleged crash-related reports and two targeting the Forward Collision Avoidance system, a component that directly intersects with the vehicle's active-safety profile. Taken together, the 2025 Niro's safety picture is genuinely strong but not without specific items that warrant attention before purchase.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2025 Kia Niro perform in crash tests?
The 2025 Kia Niro achieved a 4 out of 5 stars overall safety rating from NHTSA, distinguished by a perfect 5 stars in the side-crash test. Its frontal and rollover ratings each settled at 4 stars. The rollover risk for the Niro is 12 percent, with the dynamic tip test recording no tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 20732
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2025 Kia Niro have any recalls?
The 2025 Kia Niro carries one recall campaign. It covers certain 2023 through 2025 Niro EV, Plug-in Hybrid, and Hybrid vehicles and targets the floor wiring assembly beneath the seats. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive appears in the available campaign data, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN through NHTSA.
SEATS25V024000
Risk: Air bags and seat belts that deploy improperly or an air bag deploying unintentionally can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2025-01-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2025 Kia Niro?
Twelve complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Niro. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown or Other components (6 reports), followed by the Electrical System and Forward Collision Avoidance system (2 each). These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
12 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2025 Kia Niro?
The 2025 Kia Niro is subject to a significant recall regarding the floor wiring assembly, a critical safety concern for any prospective owner. Verifying the remedy of this recall via the VIN on NHTSA's lookup tool is essential before finalizing a purchase. An unaddressed recall on a one-year-old vehicle represents both a safety risk and a key point of negotiation.
- The 2025 Niro's Safety Index rose one point to 84 from the 2024 model year's 83, a modest but measurable year-over-year gain within the Strong band.
- A perfect 5-star NHTSA side-crash rating is this model year's single strongest data point, while frontal and rollover scores each hold at 4 stars.
- One active recall specifically covers the floor wiring assembly beneath the seats on 2023 through 2025 Niro hybrid variants, making VIN-level recall verification essential for used-market buyers.
- Two of the 12 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA allege issues with the Forward Collision Avoidance system, a notable pattern given that the avoidance-tech sub-score of 5 out of 10 is already the index's weakest component for this year.
RANKINGSWhere the 2025 Kia Niro places
The 2025 Kia Niro qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2025 Kia Niro safety questions
Was the 2025 Kia Niro crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2025 Kia Niro, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 84 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2025 Kia Niro crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2025 Kia Niro earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 11.8%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Niro have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2025 Kia Niro. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2025 Kia Niro?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 12 owner complaints are on file for the 2025 Kia Niro. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Niro years
Rivals in SUV (2025)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Lexus Rz 300e | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2025 Tesla Model X | 96/100 | not rated | 3 |
| 2025 Acura ADX | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2025 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 20732), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Niro 2025.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 124 of 153 in the SUV class for 2025.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.