NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Rio

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

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

Complaints

1,281

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

146

Crashes

161

Fires

92

Top reported issues — Kia Rio

Click a category to expand its values.

Safety restraint issue

350

Operating state

320

Condition issue

300

Reporting mechanism

287

Engine behavior

213

Thermal issue

159

Safety restraint behavior

154

Noise

131

Fluid issue

115

Performance issue

108

Braking behavior

86

Access/entry issue

73

Vibration/harshness

71

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

52

Starting behavior

38

Steering behavior

38

Smell

37

Lighting behavior

35

Electrical issue

30

Ride/handling behavior

29

HVAC behavior

21

Driver assistance issue

19

Powering on/off behavior

16

Recent change

14

Wiper/washer behavior

10

Infotainment behavior

3

Electrified system issue

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2012 KIA RIO

Filed May 28, 2026


The airbag warning light and the ABS warning light turned on simultaneously while driving. This is a severe safety hazard as both critical, life-saving safety features are currently compromised. I have already contacted Kia Customer Care regarding this issue, but I am filing this official complaint with the NHTSA to ensure a proper safety investigation is documented for this vehicle.

2012 KIA RIO

Filed May 27, 2026


The airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard and has stayed on permanently. This indicates a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Because the warning light is active, there is a severe safety risk that the airbags may not deploy correctly or at all in the event of a crash, putting the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request

2006 KIA RIO

Filed May 25, 2026


srs light turned on and is illuminated when starting and driving the vehicle.

2018 KIA RIO

Filed May 23, 2026


Vehicle has excessive oil consumption defect acknowledged in Kia TSB ENG222. Repeated catalytic converter failures indicate potential overheating risk similar to 2019 Gamma engine recall for fire hazard. Engine burning oil creates risk of critically low oil levels leading to engine failure/stalling while driving. Multiple emission system failures (oil consumption, catalytic converter) suggest unsafe vehicle condition. Vehicle failed Kia’s own oil consumption tests in December 2023 and March…

2017 KIA RIO

Filed May 19, 2026


Fire

As my car was driving my vehicle encountered sudden changes and my engine light went on. As the vehicle stopped driving on its own there was smoke coming from the hood and a fire stared shortly after underneath the car.

2016 KIA RIO

Filed May 2, 2026


I am filing a complaint regarding repeated failures of the LED tail light assemblies on my 2016 Kia Rio. This vehicle uses combination tail lights that include both standard bulbs and integrated LED brake lights. The LED portion has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. I am now experiencing failure again, requiring replacement of multiple tail light assemblies. Each assembly costs approximately $400, and my vehicle requires four total units. This results in a significant repair…

2019 KIA RIO

Filed Apr 21, 2026


2019 Kia Rio Hatchback trunk latch failure buzzing actuator but won't open emergency release does not work dealer says not covered under recall #21V622000 which covers the trunk for 4 door 2019 Kia Rio and this appears to be the same or similar issue with the trunk emergency release not opening creating a safety risk

2013 KIA RIO

Filed Apr 20, 2026


Fire

The contact called on behalf of her mother, who owned a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's mother noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's mother stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact's mother enabled the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact's mother noticed that the entire front windshield…

2017 KIA RIO

Filed Mar 27, 2026


Fire

I was driving my 2017 Kia Rio at approximately 70 mph when the vehicle began shaking violently. I heard a loud mechanical sound from the engine compartment that sounded like something broke loose and was being thrown around. I immediately began pulling over as smoke started entering the cabin. As soon as I stopped, the car erupted into a fast-moving, intense fire originating in the engine compartment. The fire spread so quickly that the front of the vehicle and the passenger cabin were…

2018 KIA RIO

Filed Mar 26, 2026


The first problem part is the airbag. The clockspring was fixed twice under warranty. Then the dealership said they wont keep doing it and blamed me wrongly. I had a private mechanic repair the same part twice due to the code it was giving but it turns out thats not what's wrong with it. The entire airbag and electrical components are bad, that is why the two repairs the dealership as well as the private mechanic made did not work. We also have some engine problems they wont continue to fix…

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

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.