Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 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 ↗Unsecured Steering Column
- Summary
- 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.
Reduced Braking Performance
- Summary
- 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.
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 (15)
15 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 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 6 | 40% |
| Steering | 4 | 26.7% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 20% |
| Engine | 2 | 13.3% |
| Power train | 2 | 13.3% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | 6.7% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 6.7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 6.7% |
| Lane departure | 1 | 6.7% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 6.7% |
How 2021 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 36 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,850
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 249 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 36 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 · AV-S1 CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 33 / 41 / 36 | $1,850 | 249 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 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
2021 Kia Rio FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Rio have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 22V304000 (steering), 21V936000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Rio problems?
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (6), Steering (4), Service brakes (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · AV-S1 CVT version at 33 city, 41 highway and 36 combined mpg.
How does the 2021 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 2021 drew 15. 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.