NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Rio

Data refreshed October 25, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Rio.

Complaints

1,340

Active records

Recalls

11

Active records

TSBs

279

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

7

Injuries

152

Crashes

167

Fires

98

Top reported issues — Kia Rio

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

355

Operating state

335

Condition issue

330

Reporting mechanism

301

Engine behavior

227

Thermal issue

169

Safety restraint behavior

158

Noise

134

Performance issue

122

Fluid issue

120

Braking behavior

89

Access/entry issue

82

Vibration/harshness

75

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

64

Steering behavior

44

Starting behavior

40

Lighting behavior

39

Smell

39

Electrical issue

33

Ride/handling behavior

32

Driver assistance issue

23

HVAC behavior

21

Powering on/off behavior

16

Recent change

15

Wiper/washer behavior

10

Infotainment behavior

6

Electrified system issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2016 KIA RIO

Filed Oct 22, 2026


Crash

ON 9/21/2026 AT 3:18AM WAS GETTING OFF TURNPIKE Becker rd. 128 CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WHEN a truck plowed in the back of me then took off. hit me so hard the car shut off. i started the car back up after a few minutes did not see anyone and drove home.

2016 KIA RIO

Filed Oct 19, 2026


Fire

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly began bucking, lost power, and lost oil. The engine compartment immediately caught fire. The fire was entirely non-collision related and required immediate extinguishing. The incident was logged by the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle was towed and subsequently inspected by a certified Kia dealership. The Kia dealership technicians officially diagnosed the cause of the fire as a catastrophic internal engine failure, specifically noting…

2022 KIA RIO

Filed Oct 16, 2026


The rear camera fails to function most of the time. It is a safety issue because I am unable to see cars or objects behind me when I am backing up. I am also unable people passing behind me when I am backing out of a parking space in a parking lot.

2019 KIA RIO

Filed Oct 8, 2026


The trunk latch is broken which is a known recall for KIA but not for my car model. There is no way to access the trunk otherwise. Now my tail light is out and cannot be fixed because I cannot access the trunk. There is NO OTHER WAY TO ACCESS THE TRUNK.

2005 KIA RIO

Filed Oct 5, 2026


On [XXX], while driving my 2005 Kia Rio northbound on [XXX] across the [XXX], I was coming from a meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, and heading toward Jeffersonville, Indiana. While I was driving, the hood (bonnet) of my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly flipped up and slammed into the windshield. The hood struck the windshield with such force that it completely shattered the windshield and became lodged against it, completely obstructing my forward view. The impact was also severe enough to…

2020 KIA RIO

Filed Aug 30, 2026


My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that initiated the fire has not yet been determined. Based on the circumstances, I am concerned about a…

2022 KIA RIO

Filed Aug 21, 2026


My ABS system goes in and out making my breaks really unsafe especially going downhill. Cruise control goes at whatever speed it wants. I set it for 73 on the interstate which has a speed limit of 70 and I look down and my car is SET to 73 BUT my actual gage is going up into the 80's! I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in…

2012 KIA RIO

Filed Aug 13, 2026


I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Rio, which currently has approximately 150,000 miles. I first became aware of these problems at approximately 120,000 miles. The vehicle has excessive oil consumption despite being consistently and properly maintained. I have been meticulous about maintenance because the vehicle has a lifetime powertrain warranty, and I have documentation and receipts for required maintenance, including regular oil changes and other scheduled services. On…

2014 KIA RIO

Filed Aug 7, 2026


Fire

Webwas deiving down the road and flames started shooting from underneath the hood we stopped car jumped out and looked back an whole front of car was on fire it burnt most of car

2012 KIA RIO

Filed Aug 6, 2026


I went to honk my horn as someone was backing up and didn’t see me as we were on an incline . This vehicle sits low and they were in a jeep. Due to the failure of my horn, I was unable to give a warning and they hit my car. No airbag was deployed and my seatbelt/airbag light is on. No injuries reported thankfully. I was told these things were related and repairs needed which is going to be extensive. The airbag may not deploy and horn does not work. I consider this a definite safety issue.

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 25, 2026. Refreshed nightly.