Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2019 Kia Rio. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (21)
21 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The unknown or other is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 21 |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 9 | 42.9% |
| Engine | 6 | 28.6% |
| Air bags | 3 | 14.3% |
| Power train | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering | 2 | 9.5% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 4.8% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4.8% |
| Structure | 1 | 4.8% |
How 2019 compares with other Rio years
Best and worst Rio years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 52 | 1 |
| 2015 | 52 | 1 |
| 2016 | 77 | 2 |
| 2017 | 31 | 2 |
| 2018 | 28 | 1 |
| 2019 | 21 | 1 |
| 2020 | 27 | 1 |
| 2021 | 15 | 2 |
| 2022 | 11 | 1 |
| 2023 | 12 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 32 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,100
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 280 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 32 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 | 280 |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | $2,100 | 278 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2019 Rio for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2019 Kia Rio FAQ
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Rio have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 21V622000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2019 Kia Rio problems?
Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (9), Engine (6), Air bags (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2019 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 28 city, 37 highway and 32 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2019 Rio compare with other years?
Among the 2014–2021 Kia Rio model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (15) and the 2016 the most (77). The 2019 drew 21. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.