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Kia RIOModel year report

2019 Kia RIO Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
4,450miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
32 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 28 city / 37 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2019 Kia RIO (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2019 Kia RIO. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine (6) and air bags (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,450 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Lane departure (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Other or unknown: “I was driving on a city street when I approached a green light it turned yellow I mash down on my brake it engaged for a couple of seconds and it gave on me and I could not get the brake to engage again I could not stop for the light and was involved in an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #11309662, filed 2020-02, 8,000 miles

Engine: “Unknown. I was driving and my car slowed to a stop and started smoking. The engine stopped and I couldn’t restart the car. Kia says the engine block threw a rod. But they won’t cover saying I don’t have sufficient service records.. I can’t get records from an out of business shop. Insurance won’t cover saying this is a warranty thing. I bought this car brand new cash purchase only a few years ago. Horrible experience and I feel robbed.”

NHTSA complaint #11537326, filed 2023-08

Air bags: “Victim was hit head on by a truck. Victim was going 10-15mph truck faster. Victim was t-boned on the driver side at the front tire. The entire front fender and frame were damaged. Victim sub-stained a bad shoulder injury and ptsd. Air bags did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #11533077, filed 2023-07

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 102 and 8,000 miles.

83%0–100%10–2517%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 4,450 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20194202020224202342024202520264
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2019 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-cyl6-speed automatic283732$2,100
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual293732$2,100

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

Recall details for the 2019 Kia RIO → · Check a 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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 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 2019 Kia RIO have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2019 Kia RIO as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2019 Kia RIO is reported most often?

Other or unknown is named most often, in 9 complaints (41% of the total), followed by engine with 6.

Has the 2019 Kia RIO been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2019 Kia RIO get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Kia RIO (Rio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 32 mpg combined, 28 city and 37 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2019 Kia RIO reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,450 miles and the middle half falls between 102 and 8,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.