Kia Rio: which year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year
Of 23 model years of the Kia Rio on record, 2016 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about service brakes). 2003 has the most recall campaigns (3). 2014 has the most complaints mentioning a crash, a fire or an injury (11).
How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 12 | 0 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 MPG |
| 2022 | 1 | 11 | 3 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 MPG |
| 2021 | 2 | 15 | 2 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 MPG |
| 2020 | 1 | 27 | 7 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 36 MPG |
| 2019 | 1 | 22 | 5 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 32 MPG |
| 2018 | 1 | 28 | 5 | ENGINE | 32 MPG |
| 2017 | 2 | 31 | 9 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2016 | 2 | 40 | 5 | SERVICE BRAKES | 30 MPG |
| 2015 | 1 | 40 | 10 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2014 | 1 | 40 | 11 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2013 | 1 | 40 | 4 | SERVICE BRAKES | 31 MPG |
| 2012 | 1 | 40 | 8 | ENGINE | 31 MPG |
| 2011 | 0 | 24 | 4 | ENGINE | 30 MPG |
| 2010 | 0 | 26 | 9 | AIR BAGS | 30 MPG |
| 2009 | 0 | 40 | 7 | AIR BAGS | 30 MPG |
| 2008 | 1 | 40 | 9 | AIR BAGS | 29 MPG |
| 2007 | 1 | 40 | 11 | AIR BAGS | 29 MPG |
| 2006 | 1 | 40 | 6 | AIR BAGS | 29 MPG |
| 2005 | 1 | 37 | 9 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 MPG |
| 2004 | 2 | 40 | 5 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 25 MPG |
| 2003 | 3 | 40 | 7 | POWER TRAIN | 25 MPG |
| 2002 | 1 | 40 | 10 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 24 MPG |
| 2001 | 3 | 40 | 5 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 25 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the Kia RioQuestions
- Which Kia Rio year has the most complaints?
- Of 23 model years of the Kia Rio on record, 2016 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (40, most often about service brakes).
- Which Kia Rio year has the most recalls?
- 2003 has the most recall campaigns (3).
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.