2016 Kia RIO Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 79 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Kia RIO, 4% of the 79 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The issue has occurred four times since purchasing the car at the end of december 2017 (less than 6 months ago). The dashboard will light up with a number of icons after the car is turned on (see photo from december). The first time this happened, it was a bitterly cold day and the icons popped up as I was driving. I felt the steering become tight, but luckily I was turning into a parking lot to safety. The icons went away after running the car for a long time (I was told it was just the cold weather). But when I checked on my car later before driving, the icons returned. …”
NHTSA complaint #11100709, filed 2018-06, 12,800 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Kia RIO LX . The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact could not see and it was difficult to steer the wheel causing the vehicle to slide into a ditch. The contact stated the Tire Pressure Monitoring System and Anti-lock Brake light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle out of the ditch to the residence and later to the dealer. There was no physical injuries, however the contact sustain emotional trauma. The police was not called. The dealer stated the Steering Angle Sensor had a dtc1259 code . …”
NHTSA complaint #11568073, filed 2024-01, 45,000 miles“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Complete engine lockup during operation at speed which caused steering and braking to be greatly hampered. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine failed on a 4-lane highway in traffic which could have easily caused a high-speed accident since the car extremely decelerated and lost power steering and braking in order to get out of traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? …”
NHTSA complaint #11601480, filed 2024-07Related service bulletins
- 11009080Oct 18, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10250838Feb 22, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10247554Dec 18, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include…
- 10247553Dec 12, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a…
- 10241172Aug 21, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly…
- 10233313Mar 20, 2023CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to…
- 10202226Oct 5, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10189545Mar 25, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183333Nov 25, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10183332Nov 4, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 27% |
| 2020 | 4 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 10 | 7% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia RIO
39 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia RIO
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology