2021 Kia RIO Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 27%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 4 complaints about the steering of the 2021 Kia RIO, 27% of the 15 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“On 3/19/23, as I was driving on a dry, straight, two lane road at the posted speed of 40mph, the car began to try to steer into oncoming traffic. I had to exert moderate force to keep the car in my lane. This continued continuously for about 1/2 mile. No low tire pressure indicator lights were illuminated, however the lane assist icon was on and green, indicating normal operation. Just as I was going to turn down a side street to check the tires manually, the steering returned to normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #11512905, filed 2023-03“Having been complaining about a noise from under the front right tire, I was initially told it was a little piece of plastic and that got cut off. I was still hear the scraping and squealing and I kept check the from right tire because I thought that's where it was coming from. I mentioned this to every mechanic at kia and was told that's just how 2021s sound . Finally after months of complaining the noise got louder and you could hear it was clearly something in steering. They schedules an appointment for Dec 7th on Mon Nov 28th. …”
NHTSA complaint #11495434, filed 2022-11“Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.”
NHTSA complaint #11660866, filed 2025-05“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 2022-08Related recalls
- 22V304000May 5, 2022Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the…Covers: Kia RIO 2021–2022, Forte 2021–2022
Related 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…
- 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…
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 2021 Kia RIO
6 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 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