Kia RIO recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 11 recalls and 1,280 owner complaints for the Kia RIO (model years 2000–2023). The most reported problem area is air bags (272 complaints), followed by engine (231 complaints). The 2003 model year has the most recalls (3).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 2 | 15 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 27 | 3 | 5 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 28 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 31 | 3 | 6 | |
| 2016 | 2 | 79 | 8 | 6 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 52 | 4 | 10 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 52 | 7 | 8 | |
| 2013 | 1 | 153 | 8 | 18 | |
| 2012 | 1 | 54 | 3 | 9 | |
| 2011 | 0 | 24 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 0 | 26 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 0 | 39 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 1 | 46 | 11 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 46 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 1 | 74 | 12 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 1 | 37 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 2 | 38 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 3 | 74 | 8 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 1 | 128 | 25 | 6 | |
| 2001 | 3 | 223 | 21 | 14 | |
| 2000 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2001 (223), 2013 (153) and 2002 (128). Among model years at least two years old, the 2000 has the fewest complaints on file (3).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Kia RIO model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 272 | 20 of 24 | |
| Engine | 231 | 17 of 24 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 153 | 12 of 24 | |
| Electrical system | 152 | 22 of 24 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 124 | 16 of 24 |
Latest 8 of 11 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23V652000 | Sep 25, 2023 | Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module | 2012–2017 | 1,730,192 |
| 23V594000 | Aug 24, 2023 | Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid, latch | 2016–2017 | 319,436 |
| 22V304000 | May 5, 2022 | Steering: column | 2021–2022 | 30 |
| 21V936000 | Dec 1, 2021 | Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder | 2020–2021 | 87 |
| 21V622000 | Aug 9, 2021 | Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid, latch | 2018–2019 | 253,074 |
| 12V244000 | May 31, 2012 | Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive | 2006–2008 | 72,568 |
| 06V294000 | Aug 4, 2006 | Seat belts: rear/other | 2003 | 32,257 |
| 05V557000 | Dec 12, 2005 | Child seat | 2003–2005 | 90,865 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 162 complaints and a fire in 94 complaints; 146 people injured and 7 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.