Kia Rio Recalls

The Kia Rio has been recalled 11 times across the 2001–2008, 2012–2022 model years. The most recent recall, from September 25, 2023, covers the control unit/module. Recall repairs are free at any authorized Kia dealer.

11recalls
1do not drive / park outside
19model years affected

What gets recalled

  • Brakes
    218%
  • Locks & latches
    218%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    218%
  • Steering
    19%
  • Air bags
    19%
  • Other / not specified
    19%
  • Seat belts
    19%
  • Wheels & tires
    19%

2022 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2021 Kia Rio recalls (2)

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.

2020 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2019 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2018 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2017 Kia Rio recalls (2)

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.

2016 Kia Rio recalls (2)

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.

2015 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2014 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2013 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2012 Kia Rio recalls (1)

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.

2008 Kia Rio recalls (1)

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 12V-244 · May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles

Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 rio vehicles, manufactured from February 20, 2005, through December 9, 2007. The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs seat sensor mat, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012. Owners May contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

2007 Kia Rio recalls (1)

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 12V-244 · May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles

Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 rio vehicles, manufactured from February 20, 2005, through December 9, 2007. The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs seat sensor mat, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012. Owners May contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

2006 Kia Rio recalls (1)

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 12V-244 · May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles

Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 rio vehicles, manufactured from February 20, 2005, through December 9, 2007. The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs seat sensor mat, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012. Owners May contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

2005 Kia Rio recalls (1)

Child seat

NHTSA recall 05V-557 · Dec 12, 2005 · 90,865 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2006. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2004 Kia Rio recalls (2)

Child seat

NHTSA recall 05V-557 · Dec 12, 2005 · 90,865 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2006. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

NHTSA recall 04V-179 · Apr 9, 2004 · 187,790 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2003 Kia Rio recalls (3)

Seat belts › Rear/other

NHTSA recall 06V-294 · Aug 4, 2006 · 32,257 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." when used with certain child seats, the automatic locking retractor (alr) function in the rear outboard seatbelt assemblies May disengage.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2006. Owners May contact Hyundai-Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Child seat

NHTSA recall 05V-557 · Dec 12, 2005 · 90,865 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2006. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

NHTSA recall 04V-179 · Apr 9, 2004 · 187,790 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2002 Kia Rio recalls (1)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

NHTSA recall 04V-179 · Apr 9, 2004 · 187,790 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

2001 Kia Rio recalls (3)

Wheels

NHTSA recall 05V-159 · Apr 20, 2005 · 24,119 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles May have a manufacturing flaw that could cause the wheels to crack under long term driving fatigue. If cracks occur, wheel noise and vibration will result and become progressively worse over time.

Remedy: Dealers will replace all four wheels free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

NHTSA recall 04V-179 · Apr 9, 2004 · 187,790 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 03V-352 · Sep 24, 2003 · 57,340 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, fuel leaks May develop at the fuel distributor assembly because of quality deviations.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies. Owner notification is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for the Kia Rio across 19 model years, 1 of them with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

How do I know if my Kia Rio has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN decoder & recall check or on nhtsa.gov/recalls. Dealers fix recalls for free, even if you are not the original owner.

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.