Kia Rio years to avoid (and the best years)
583 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls across 14 model years, 2010 to 2023. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 583complaints
- 5recalls
- 59reported crashes
- 64reported fires
- 54reported injuries
- 3reported deaths
Which Kia Rio years should you avoid?
No Kia Rio model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Kia Rio year has 28 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2013 (153), 2016 (77) and 2012 (54).
What are the best Kia Rio years?
The Kia Rio years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (11), 2023 (12) and 2021 (15). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 0.4× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2022 | 11 | 0.4× | 1 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Latches and locks |
| 2021 | 15 | 0.5× | 2 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2020 | 27 | 1.0× | 1 | 3 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2019 | 21 | 0.8× | 1 | 4 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 28 | 1.0× | 1 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 31 | 1.1× | 2 | 3 | 4 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 77 | 2.8× | 2 | 7 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 52 | 1.9× | 1 | 4 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 52 | 1.9× | 1 | 7 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 153 | 5.6× | 1 | 8 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2012 | 54 | 2.0× | 1 | 3 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 24 | 0.9× | 0 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 26 | 0.9× | 0 | 9 | 8 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 118 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain34 (29%)
- Airbags & seat belts21 (18%)
- Electrical & infotainment19 (16%)
- Brakes16 (14%)
- Steering, suspension & tires15 (13%)
Recalls (5)
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V594000 · Aug 2023 · model years 2016, 2017
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Steering · 22V304000 · May 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 21V936000 · Dec 2021 · model years 2020, 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.
Safety · 21V622000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2018, 2019
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.