2016 Kia Rio problems and recalls

49% of owner complaints on the 2016 Kia Rio related to the Engine (38 of 77).

77
Complaints
2
Recalls
7
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
5
Injuries
89.8
Severity index

Severity index 89.8 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 89.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 22 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 84% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 38 complaints (49.4%)38 49%Service BrakesService Brakes: 18 complaints (23.4%)18 23%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 15 complaints (19.5%)15 19%HydraulicHydraulic: 12 complaints (15.6%)12 16%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 8 complaints (10.4%)8 10%Power TrainPower Train: 5 complaints (6.5%)5 6%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 4 complaints (5.2%)4 5%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 4 complaints (5.2%)4 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE3849.4%
SERVICE BRAKES1823.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1519.5%
HYDRAULIC1215.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM810.4%
POWER TRAIN56.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING45.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM45.2%

Complaints filed per year

012232016: 22017: 22018: 52019: 22020: 12021: 62022: 92023: 192024: 232025: 62026: 2 (partial year)161718192021222324232526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20162
20172
20185
20192
20201
20216
20229
202319
202423
20256
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 3.0x those in 2020 to 2022 (48 against 16).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
23V59400024/08/2023LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHKia 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the require
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 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.