Kia RIO Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,292 consumer complaints across the 23 model years of the Kia RIO (2001–2023) that have at least 5 complaints. 2001 has the most, with 223. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (272 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All RIO model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 100,900 | 0 | 19 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 12 | 70,500 | 1 | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 15 | — | 2 | 59 | — | Stable |
| 2020 | 27 | 2,780 | 1 | 68 | 73 · More | Stable |
| 2019 | 22 | 4,450 | 1 | 60 | — | Stable |
| 2018 | 28 | 35,785 | 1 | 70 | 12 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 31 | 36,500 | 2 | 65 | 35 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 79 | 50,500 | 2 | 89 | 65 · More | Rising |
| 2015 | 52 | 60,000 | 1 | 100 | 45 · Typical | Rising |
| 2014 | 52 | 33,000 | 1 | 102 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2013 | 153 | 64,626 | 1 | 133 | 89 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 54 | 64,000 | 1 | 122 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 24 | 61,000 | 0 | 51 | — | Rising |
| 2010 | 26 | 63,000 | 0 | 35 | 33 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 39 | 48,200 | 0 | 37 | 44 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 46 | 46,000 | 1 | 35 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 46 | 57,018 | 1 | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 74 | 63,495 | 1 | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 37 | 51,000 | 1 | 11 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 38 | 68,520 | 2 | 11 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2003 | 74 | 30,000 | 3 | 11 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 128 | 36,750 | 1 | 12 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 223 | 48,000 | 3 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags272 21%
- Engine238 18%
- Brakes174 13%
- Engine cooling157 12%
- Electrical system154 12%
- Other or unknown132 10%
- Fuel system98 7.4%
- Transmission and drivetrain91 6.9%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “I driving up to wisconsin dells from illinois and the vit woulnt go over twenty miles per hr I hate this vehicle and a tune up was done before I left I have a 2007 Kia RIO and vehicle just died and then started and had no power I had to have it towed back to illinois which cost me 300 dollars has anyone else had this problem only has 95.600 miles was”
NHTSA complaint #11308013, filed 2020-02, 95,600 miles2013: “The door latches have all worn out and need to be replaced. We rarely use the back doors as it is a car that is driven to work and back and there are no small children requiring frequent use. When the doors are opened and then closed there is a rattle that can be heard. I have never heard of a problem such as this and replacement is extremely expensive.”
NHTSA complaint #11244006, filed 2019-08, 100,000 miles2014: “I was driving my 2014 Kia RIO to work at approximately 7 am this morning with no noticeable problems until halfway to work which would be approx. 30 miles into my 52 mile drive. After I made a turn from a stop light, I noticed a weird smell as I drove and decided to stop the vehicle and check it out. …”
NHTSA complaint #11329676, filed 2020-06, 76,500 milesOther Kia models
10,224 complaintsKia Optima
7,532 complaintsKia Soul
5,581 complaintsKia Sportage
4,714 complaintsKia Forte
2,561 complaintsKia Sedona
2,415 complaintsKia Telluride
2,060 complaintsKia Sephia
1,701 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology