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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2000–2023

Kia Rio recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 1,290 owner complaints for the Kia Rio, covering model years 2000 to 2023. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (223), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Rio VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 11 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,290 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 24 model years with data (2000–2023)
  • most complaints: 2001 (223 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (272 complaints)
  • latest recall 23V652000 (reported Sep 25, 2023)
  • 161 complaints reporting a crash (12.5%)
  • 93 complaints reporting a fire (7.2%)
  • 111 complaints reporting an injury (8.6%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a death (0.4%)

Kia Rio complaints by model year

24 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 223 of 1,290, or 17.3%. Next come 2013 (153) and 2002 (128). The fewest are for 2000, with 3 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Kia Rio owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2000–2023Column chart of 1,290 complaints across 24 model years. The highest is 2001 with 223. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2000: 3 complaints320002001: 223 complaints22320012002: 128 complaints12820022003: 74 complaints7420032004: 38 complaints3820042005: 36 complaints3620052006: 74 complaints7420062007: 46 complaints4620072008: 46 complaints4620082009: 39 complaints3920092010: 26 complaints2620102011: 24 complaints2420112012: 54 complaints5420122013: 153 complaints15320132014: 52 complaints5220142015: 52 complaints5220152016: 77 complaints7720162017: 31 complaints3120172018: 28 complaints2820182019: 21 complaints2120192020: 27 complaints2720202021: 15 complaints1520212022: 11 complaints1120222023: 12 complaints122023
Show the figures for all 24 model years
Kia Rio complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Kia Rio complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200030000
2001223211481
2002128256181
2003748240
2004384220
2005364451
200674120110
20074611161
20084611070
2009396050
2010269070
2011244030
2012543930
201315381870
2014527840
20155241080
2016777540
2017313620
2018283210
2019214140
2020273511
2021152000
2022112010
2023120000
All model years1,290161931115

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Rio components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 272 complaints (21.1% of all 1,290), followed by Engine (237) and Engine and Engine Cooling (158).

Components named most often in Kia Rio complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Kia Rio complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags27221.1%
Engine23718.4%
Engine and Engine Cooling15812.2%
Electrical System15211.8%
Unknown or Other13010.1%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1269.8%
Power Train917.1%
Seat Belts624.8%
Fuel System, Gasoline564.3%
Steering554.3%
Suspension534.1%
Structure514.0%
Wheels473.6%
Service Brakes453.5%
Vehicle Speed Control403.1%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Rio recalls

11 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Rio, newest first. The 11 campaigns cover model years 2001 to 2022. The 2001 and 2003 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 11 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Park Outside” advisory
Kia Rio recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2001: 3 campaigns2002: 1 campaign2003: 3 campaigns2004: 2 campaigns2005: 1 campaign2006: 1 campaign2007: 1 campaign2008: 1 campaign2009: no campaigns
2010: no campaigns2011: no campaigns2012: 1 campaign2013: 1 campaign2014: 1 campaign2015: 1 campaign2016: 2 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: 1 campaign2019: 1 campaign
2020: 1 campaign2021: 2 campaigns2022: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 23V652000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

    Model years 2012–2017

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

    Consequence:
    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 23V594000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch

    Model years 2016–2017

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

    Consequence:
    A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V304000

    Reported

    Steering › Column

    Model years 2021–2022

    Kia 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 steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

    Consequence:
    Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 21V936000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model years 2020–2021

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.

    Consequence:
    Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 21V622000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Trunk Lid › Latch

    Model years 2018–2019

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

    Consequence:
    A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 12V244000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Model years 2006–2008

    Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 Rio vehicles, manufactured from February 20, 2005, through December 9, 2007. The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking. If sufficient cracking occurs, the occupant classification system (ocs) will cease to function such that the system will not be able to detect whether a child passenger is in the seat and the airbag will deploy during a crash necessitating deployment.

    Consequence:
    Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
    Remedy:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ocs seat sensor mat, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2012. Owners may contact Kia consumer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 06V294000

    Reported

    Seat Belts › Rear/Other

    Model year 2003

    Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "occupant crash protection." When used with certain child seats, the automatic locking retractor (alr) function in the rear outboard seatbelt assemblies may disengage.

    Consequence:
    If a child seat is not properly secured, there is an increased risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2006. Owners may contact Hyundai-Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  8. NHTSA campaign 05V557000

    Reported

    Child Seat

    Model years 2003–2005

    Certain passenger vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' Certain child restraint anchors will not fully latch onto the lower latch anchors located between the rear seat back and rear seat cushion because of interference between the child seat anchors and a metal wire located in the frame of the rear seat back. Until the recall repair is completed, follow the instructions provided by your child seats manufacturer on how to properly install the child seat with your vehicle's rear safety belts rather than using the latch system.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a vehicle crash, if the child seat is not properly installed, personal injury or death could occur.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge. The recall began on January 30, 2006. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  9. NHTSA campaign 05V159000

    Reported

    Wheels

    Model year 2001

    Certain passenger vehicles may have a manufacturing flaw that could cause the wheels to crack under long term driving fatigue. If cracks occur, wheel noise and vibration will result and become progressively worse over time.

    Consequence:
    If the crack is severe, the wheel could separate from the vehicle and possibly result in loss of vehicle control and a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace all four wheels free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2005. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  10. NHTSA campaign 04V179000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery

    Model years 2001–2004

    On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during engine compartment repairs.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Show 1 more recall

  1. NHTSA campaign 03V352000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Model year 2001

    On certain passenger vehicles, fuel leaks may develop at the fuel distributor assembly because of quality deviations.

    Consequence:
    Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies. Owner notification is expected to begin during the first quarter of 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Rio questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?

NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Rio, covering model years 2000 to 2023. The most recent, 23V652000, was reported on September 25, 2023 and is filed under “Service brakes, hydraulic”. The 2001 and 2003 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Kia Rio model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 223 of the 1,290 complaints in NHTSA’s file (17.3%). The next are 2013 (153) and 2002 (128). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Rio complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 272 complaints, or 21.1% of all 1,290. Engine (237) and Engine and Engine Cooling (158) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Rio?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Rio complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,290 complaints, 161 report a crash, 93 a fire, 111 at least one injury and 5 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Kia models

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
  • Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
  • Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
  • Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
  • Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
  • Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
  • Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
  • Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.