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Kia RIOModel year report

2010 Kia RIO Problems

Compared with other Kia RIO years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

33/100 0.7× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
26filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
31 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Kia RIO (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2010 Kia RIO. The part named most often is air bags, with 12 complaints (46% of the total), followed by brakes (4) and electrical system (4). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,000 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 35 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Kia RIO model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 33 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “We were involved in an accident where we rear ended another vehicle. The other car was at a standstill and we hit them at about 30 mphs. The driver and myself both had seat belts. The driver injuries her left knee. The airbags did not deploy. I think that if they did her knee might not have been injured because she would not have slid forward upon impact..”

NHTSA complaint #10629468, filed 2014-08, 123,000 miles

Brakes: “I was traveling about 40 MPH exiting on the fwy off ramp which turns to the right. Initially my brakes worked and then it made a awful winding sound. The car was gaining speed as I made the turn and I totally lost my brakes and had to use my hand brake to stop before almost running into the back of a car. I had my brakes checked and was told that my shoes were very good but I wen ahead and put new ones on anyway. I am still having the same problem. On the fwy having to use my brakes at speeds over 40 MPH cause the same noise and no brakes until I have slowed below 40mph.”

NHTSA complaint #10817662, filed 2016-01, 126,000 miles

Electrical system: “My had my car about one year and it started to lose power. When I took it to dealership to fix it I had to pay for two diagnostic tests 95.00 each. The problem was the ignition coil, spark plugs, and exhaust manifold. It is now almost exactly another year past and same problem but now dealership can't read Kia codes and wants me to drive it 60 miles away with the problem still happening. The Kia dealership might be able to fix but have to get the car there. I did my own diagnostic test at autozone and a repair shop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10774546, filed 2015-09, 88,000 miles

Engine: “Took my car to get fixed, and looked at the 2nd cyl.. Apparently, tons of people are having problems with the 2nd cyl. After looking online about it. I had them try all my coils and its not a coil problem. I had all spark plugs changed and tune up was done. There is absolutely no reason my 2nd cyl. To be messed up... ? Kia I'm so disappointed in my car, why are so many problems coming up? My car is not even 5 years old!!! I expect to get answers on this and it be taken care of, I will not be paying for something when I've done my part in maintain g my car.”

NHTSA complaint #10664595, filed 2014-12, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 88,000 miles.

24%0–105%10–250%25–5033%50–7514%75–10024%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2010201220145201620182022
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Kia RIO. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RIO · hatchback FWDnot rated4 / 5———
RIO · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Kia RIO version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual283431$2,150
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic273630$2,250

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2010 Kia RIO in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 35 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 35 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia RIO

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202312100,9000—36—Too new
20221270,5001—36—Not enough data
202115—2—36—Stable
2020272,7801—3673 · MoreStable
2019224,4501—32—Stable
20182835,7851—3212 · FewerRising
20173136,500243135 · FewerRising
20167950,500243165 · MoreRising
20155260,000143045 · TypicalRising
20145233,000143071 · MoreRising
201315364,626143289 · MoreRising
20125464,000143250 · TypicalFalling
20112461,0000—30—Rising
20102663,0000—3133 · FewerFalling
20093948,2000—3044 · TypicalFalling
20084646,0001—2958 · TypicalFalling
20074657,0181—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20067463,4951—29Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053751,0001—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043868,5202—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20037430,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212836,7501—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200122348,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Kia RIO model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Kia RIO have?

NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2010 Kia RIO as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Kia RIO is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 12 complaints (46% of the total), followed by brakes with 4.

Has the 2010 Kia RIO been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Kia RIO get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Kia RIO (Rio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 28 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Kia RIO reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 88,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.