Kia Rio Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Kia Rio model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (15) and the 2013 the most (153).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 11 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 36 |
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | Unknown or other | — | 36 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
15 | 2 | Unknown or other | — | 36 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 32 |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 0 | Engine | — | 30 |
| 2010 | 26 | 0 | Air bags | — | 30–31 |
| 2020 | 27 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 36 |
| 2018 | 28 | 1 | Engine | — | 32 |
| 2017 | 31 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2005 | 36 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 24–25 |
| 2004 | 38 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 24–26 |
| 2009 | 39 | 0 | Air bags | — | 30 |
| 2007 | 46 | 1 | Air bags | — | 29 |
| 2008 | 46 | 1 | Air bags | — | 29 |
| 2014 | 52 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2015 | 52 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2012 | 54 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 31–32 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
74 | 1 | Air bags | — | 29 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
77 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 30–31 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
153 | 1 | Engine | 4★ | 31–32 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Kia Rio years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Kia Rio: 153 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 53 (35%); Air bags 34 (22%); Service brakes 30 (20%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 18 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 65,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2016 Kia Rio: 77 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 38 (49%); Service brakes 18 (23%); Electrical system 8 (10%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 5 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Kia Rio: 74 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 50 (68%); Engine and engine cooling 6 (8%); Steering 4 (5%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 14 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 64,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Kia Rio years with the fewest complaints
2021 Kia Rio: 15 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 4 (27%); Service brakes 3 (20%); Engine 2 (13%).
Reports mention 2 crashes. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Kia Rio: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 6 (29%); Air bags 3 (14%); Power train 2 (10%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
2011 Kia Rio: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 7 (29%); Air bags 5 (21%); Electrical system 5 (21%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Kia Rio owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 27 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 2019 | 21 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 31 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 77 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 51,000 |
| 2015 | 52 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2014 | 52 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 33,000 |
| 2013 | 153 | 8 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2012 | 54 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2011 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2010 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 63,000 |
| 2009 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2008 | 46 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 46,000 |
| 2007 | 46 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 60,000 |
| 2006 | 74 | 12 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 64,000 |
| 2005 | 36 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 52,000 |
| 2004 | 38 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 69,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Kia Rio recalls
- HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire (2012–2017 model years; 1,730,192 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2023; 23V652000)
- Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 (2016–2017 model years; 319,436 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2023; 23V594000)
- Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401 (2018–2019 model years; 253,074 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2021; 21V622000)
- KIA/FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY (2001–2004 model years; 187,790 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2004; 04V179000)
- FMVSS 225/CHILD SEAT ANCHORASGE SYSTEM (2003–2005 model years; 90,865 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2005; 05V557000)
All 11 Kia Rio recall campaigns · Kia Rio problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Kia Rio years FAQ
Which Kia Rio year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (15). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Kia Rio years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2016 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Kia Rio problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (234 of 862 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Kia Rio. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Kia Rio recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.