Kia Rio Problems by Year

We compared every Kia Rio model year from 2001–2023 using 1,291 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 11 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2013, 2016, 2001, 2002 and 2003, which drew far more complaints than other Rio years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2022 and 2010.

23model years
1,291complaints
11recalls
2013, 2016worst years
2011, 2022best years

Complaints by model year

’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’232231287438377446463926245415352527831282227151212
Owner complaints per model year, Kia Rio. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202312typical—SteeringAverage
202212−40%1Collision AvoidanceGood
202115−31%2SteeringAverage
202027typical1EngineAverage
201922−26%1EngineAverage
201828−19%1EngineAverage
201731−21%2EngineAverage
2016781.9×2EngineCaution
2015521.2×1EngineAverage
201452typical1EngineAverage
20131532.5×1EngineAvoid
201254typical1EngineAverage
201124−48%—EngineGood
201026−36%—AirbagAverage
200939−21%—AirbagAverage
2008461.2×1AirbagAverage
200746typical1AirbagAverage
2006741.6×1AirbagCaution
200537−24%1EngineAverage
200438−21%2EngineAverage
2003741.8×3EngineCaution
20021283.1×1EngineAvoid
20012235.5×3EngineAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Rio year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Kia Rio problems

Latest Kia Rio recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 23V-652 · Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehiclesPark outside

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge.

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

NHTSA recall 23V-594 · Aug 24, 2023 · 319,436 vehicles

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Steering › Column

NHTSA recall 22V-304 · May 5, 2022 · 30 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

NHTSA recall 21V-936 · Dec 1, 2021 · 87 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.

Latches/locks/linkages › Trunk lid › Latch

NHTSA recall 21V-622 · Aug 9, 2021 · 253,074 vehicles

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.

All 11 Kia Rio recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Kia Rio should you avoid?

2013, 2016, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Rio years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2013.

What is the best year for the Kia Rio?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other Rio years at the same age, followed by 2022 and 2010. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Kia Rio problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (395), air bags (271) and brakes (174). Engine complaints peak in the 2013 model year.

How many recalls has the Kia Rio had?

11 recalls across 2001–2023. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Kia Rio recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.