2021 Kia Rio problems and recalls

Owners have filed 15 complaints on the 2021 Kia Rio, and NHTSA has issued 2 recalls. The most cited component is the Unknown Or Other (6 complaints).

15
Complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
60.0
Severity index

Severity index 60.0 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 60.0p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 6 complaints (40.0%)6 40%SteeringSteering: 4 complaints (26.7%)4 27%Service BrakesService Brakes: 3 complaints (20.0%)3 20%Power TrainPower Train: 2 complaints (13.3%)2 13%EngineEngine: 2 complaints (13.3%)2 13%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 1 complaints (6.7%)1 7%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 1 complaints (6.7%)1 7%Seat BeltsSeat Belts: 1 complaints (6.7%)1 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
UNKNOWN OR OTHER640.0%
STEERING426.7%
SERVICE BRAKES320.0%
POWER TRAIN213.3%
ENGINE213.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16.7%
BACK OVER PREVENTION16.7%
SEAT BELTS16.7%

Complaints filed per year

0362021: 12022: 62023: 62025: 2212262325
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20211
20226
20236
20252
Filings in 2022 to 2025 ran 14.0x those in 2021 to 2021 (14 against 1).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V93600001/12/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERKia 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.
22V30400005/05/2022STEERING:COLUMNKia 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.

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.