11
recalls
The Kia Rio has 11 recalls covering 2.77 million vehicles as reported; model year 2018 is covered by the most (3). The 2017 Kia Rio earned 4 of 5 stars overall in crash tests (best version). Owners filed 40 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; air bags is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
11
Most for 2018: 3
Units affected
2.77M
As reported
Overall stars
4 of 5
Model year 2017
Complaints, 12 mo
40
-9.1% vs 12 months before
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
14 rated versions, model years 2011 to 2017
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2017 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2016 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2016 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2015 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2015 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2014 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2014 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2013 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2013 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2012 | 4 DR · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2012 | 5 HB · FWD | 11.6% risk | |||
| 2011 | 4 DR · FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 11.8% risk |
| 2011 | SW · FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 11.8% risk |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Kia Rio, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
40 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Air bags272
- Engine237
- Engine and engine cooling159
- Electrical system152
- Unknown or other131
- Service brakes, hydraulic126
- Power train91
- Complaints
- 1,294
- Crashes reported
- 161
- Fires reported
- 94
- People injured
- 146
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Kia Rio by component
- Fuel system, gasoline2 · 245K units
- Latches/locks/linkages2 · 573K units
- Service brakes, hydraulic2 · 1.73M units
- Air bags1 · 73K units
- Child seat1 · 91K units
- Seat belts1 · 32K units
- Steering1 · 30 units
- Wheels1 · 24K units
Kia Rio recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2023 | KIA Borrego, Cadenza, Forte, Forte Koup and 8 more (2010-2019): Service brakes, hydraulicNo. 23V652000Park outside | Fire | 1,730,192 |
| Aug 24, 2023 | KIA Optima, Optima Hybrid, Optima Phev, RIO (2016-2018): Latches/locks/linkagesNo. 23V594000 | Injury | 319,436 |
| May 5, 2022 | KIA Forte, RIO (2021-2022): SteeringNo. 22V304000 | Crash risk | 30 |
| Dec 1, 2021 | KIA RIO (2020-2021): Service brakes, hydraulicNo. 21V936000 | Crash risk | 87 |
| Aug 9, 2021 | KIA Forte, RIO (2016-2019): Latches/locks/linkagesNo. 21V622000 | Injury | 253,074 |
| May 31, 2012 | KIA RIO (2006-2008): Air bagsNo. 12V244000 | Injury | 72,568 |
| Aug 4, 2006 | KIA RIO (2003): Seat beltsNo. 06V294000 | Crash risk | 32,257 |
| Dec 12, 2005 | KIA RIO (2003-2005): Child seatNo. 05V557000 | Crash risk | 90,865 |
| Apr 20, 2005 | KIA RIO (2001): WheelsNo. 05V159000 | Crash risk | 24,119 |
| Apr 9, 2004 | KIA RIO, RIO Cinco (2001-2004): Fuel system, gasolineNo. 04V179000 | Fire | 187,790 |
| Sep 24, 2003 | KIA RIO (2001): Fuel system, gasolineNo. 03V352000 | Fire | 57,340 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2022 Kia Rio recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 2022 Kia Rio. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?
11 recalls cover the Kia Rio, for 2.77 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is fuel system, gasoline (2 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2017 Kia Rio?
4 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 4, side crash 5 and rollover 4 stars, with a 11.6% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the Kia Rio?
Air bags: named in 272 of the 1,294 safety complaints about the Kia Rio, then engine (237). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.