2021 Kia RIO Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 40%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2021 Kia RIO, 40% of the 15 complaints for this model year.
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.
“At speeds over 20 miles per hours there is a “flapping” noise that sounds like a bag or piece of paper that is blowing in the wind. Although I don’t know were the noise originates, I can hear it clearly from the driver’s side b-pillar. It is incredibly annoying and greatly diminishes what is otherwise a solid entry, level vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11513877, filed 2023-03“seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been ordered but they haven’t!!!! No one is following up with me, when I call I get told “until they can get in contact with the dealership Kia the corporate company cannot do anything” have 2 kids Kia the dealership as well as the corporate company knows about this and no one is doing anything!! NO ONE CARES”
NHTSA complaint #11520150, filed 2023-05“Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11707375, filed 2025-12“The steering wheel column does not have a lock therefore someone broke into my car and tried to steal it and destroyed it, also no alarm went off when this happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11480234, filed 2022-08“The contol post for lights, turn signal, and high beams is too sensitive. To control the lights, you twist the top of lever. To turn on turn signals, you flip the lever up or down. To turn on brights, the lever goes forward. To turn of lights, the lever is pulled back. The issue..... If you have brights on, when you pull lever back to dim lights, the top automatically twists to shut off the headlights entirely. DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS. My husband doesn't have this problem, but he has longer fingers and his fingers hit the lever more at the base where nothing twists. …”
NHTSA complaint #11500633, filed 2023-01Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 42% |
| 2022 | 3 | 25% |
| 2021 | 6 | 40% |
| 2020 | 8 | 30% |
| 2019 | 9 | 41% |
| 2018 | 5 | 18% |
| 2017 | 6 | 19% |
| 2016 | 15 | 19% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% |
| 2013 | 19 | 12% |
| 2012 | 5 | 9% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 3 | 12% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2021 Kia RIO
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia RIO
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology