2012 Kia Rio problems and recalls

Owners have filed 54 complaints on the 2012 Kia Rio, and NHTSA has issued 1 recall. The most cited component is the Engine (24 complaints).

54
Complaints
1
Recalls
3
Crash reports
9
Fire reports
4
Injuries
103.2
Severity index

Severity index 103.2 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 103.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 16 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 88% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 24 complaints (44.4%)24 44%Air BagsAir Bags: 12 complaints (22.2%)12 22%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 7 complaints (13.0%)7 13%Service BrakesService Brakes: 6 complaints (11.1%)6 11%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 6 complaints (11.1%)6 11%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 6 complaints (11.1%)6 11%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 5 complaints (9.3%)5 9%HydraulicHydraulic: 3 complaints (5.6%)3 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2444.4%
AIR BAGS1222.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM713.0%
SERVICE BRAKES611.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL611.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM611.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER59.3%
HYDRAULIC35.6%

Complaints filed per year

0482012: 22013: 22014: 42015: 52016: 42017: 42018: 32019: 52020: 82021: 12022: 32023: 12024: 42025: 32026: 5 (partial year)1213141516171819208212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20122
20132
20144
20155
20164
20174
20183
20195
20208
20211
20223
20231
20244
20253
2026 (year to date)5
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (8 against 12).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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. The Hydraulic Electronic Con

Other Kia Rio model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 11 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-17. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.