2020 Kia RIO Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 19%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,857miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Kia RIO, 19% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,857 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“I believe my Kia Rio S falls victim to the recall 2020 Kia Rio models have faced. Brake performance has been severely degraded on my vehicle over the past few weeks despite doing all recommended maintenance. When I first got my 2020 Kia Rio S I could brake with 5% pressure applied to the brakes, now it takes about 25-30% pressure and it seemingly is increasing every day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they advised me it would be a $2000 service charge minimum.”
NHTSA complaint #11543523, filed 2023-09“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11725043, filed 2026-03, 28,000 miles“I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.”
NHTSA complaint #11665742, filed 2025-06“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that he was a former service technician and that while driving and stopping at a stoplight, the traffic light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle idled and stalled for a few seconds before inadvertently accelerating and crashing into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently on several occasions. The contact attempted to take the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected however, the dealer was unable to inspect the vehicle for a month. …”
NHTSA complaint #11425950, filed 2021-07, 41,714 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated the vehicle was parked at her residence, when entering inside the cab, she noticed the gear shaft was melted. The contact stated she did not visibly see fire. The police did come to her residence and informed the cause of the fire was an electronic failure but they do not file any fire reports. The contact did not contact the fire department. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed back to her residence. …”
NHTSA complaint #11464361, filed 2022-05Related service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11004930Jul 11, 2024TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10216898Jul 21, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.
- 10206882Jan 27, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10198973Jul 2, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10191737May 3, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the software logic…
- 10191061Apr 29, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the software logic…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2021 | 2 | 13% |
| 2020 | 5 | 19% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 7% |
| 2006 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% |
| 2003 | 12 | 16% |
| 2002 | 8 | 6% |
| 2001 | 25 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2020 Kia RIO
8 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia RIO
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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