Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Steering recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 22V304000 · May 2022

Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

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. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V936000 · Dec 2021

Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

15 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor4

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1sudden stalling 1transmission slipping 1
A recent report: Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11555136 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor3

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 2
A recent report: Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11707375 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading2

Most reports here involve transmission slipping. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

transmission slipping 1loss of braking 1
A recent report: Vehicle failed to reduce speed effectively while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle during a left turn, which then caused the vehicle to turn widely and collide with the curb.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11448123 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading4

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 3
A recent report: Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt…
Read full complaint

Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11660866 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been…
Read full complaint

seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been ordered but they haven’t!!!! No one is following up with me, when I call I get told “until they can get in contact with the dealership Kia the corporate company cannot do anything” have 2 kids Kia the dealership as well as the corporate company knows about this and no one is doing anything!! NO ONE CARES

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11520150 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: At speeds over 20 miles per hours there is a “flapping” noise that sounds like a bag or piece of paper that is blowing in the wind. Although I don’t know were the noise originates, I can hear it…
Read full complaint

At speeds over 20 miles per hours there is a “flapping” noise that sounds like a bag or piece of paper that is blowing in the wind. Although I don’t know were the noise originates, I can hear it clearly from the driver’s side b-pillar. It is incredibly annoying and greatly diminishes what is otherwise a solid entry, level vehicle.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11513877 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 15 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2025, roughly 3 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2021 has 15 complaints on file, fewer than the 2020 (27) and more than the 2022 (11). Of the 14 model years of the Kia Rio we cover, the 2013 has the most (153). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.