Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2001. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2023.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Rio | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 Rio | 12 | 1 |
| 2021 Rio | 15 | 2 |
| 2020 Rio | 27 | 1 |
| 2019 Rio | 22 | 1 |
| 2018 Rio | 28 | 1 |
| 2017 Rio | 31 | 2 |
| 2016 Rio | 78 | 2 |
| 2015 Rio | 52 | 1 |
| 2014 Rio | 52 | 1 |
| 2013 RioMost complaints | 153 | 1 |
| 2012 Rio | 54 | 1 |
| 2011 Rio | 24 | 0 |
| 2010 Rio | 26 | 0 |
| 2009 Rio | 39 | 0 |
| 2008 Rio | 46 | 1 |
| 2007 Rio | 46 | 1 |
| 2006 Rio | 74 | 1 |
| 2005 Rio | 37 | 1 |
| 2004 Rio | 38 | 2 |
| 2003 Rio | 74 | 3 |
| 2002 RioMost complaints | 128 | 1 |
| 2001 RioMost complaints | 223 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Air bags272
- Engine238
- Engine and engine cooling158
- Electrical system154
- Unknown or other131
- Service brakes, hydraulic126
- Power train91
- Seat belts62
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 368 Rio vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 268 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 4 |
| 2022 | 7 | 1 |
| 2021 | 19 | 15 |
| 2020 | 37 | 17 |
| 2019 | 24 | 18 |
| 2018 | 25 | 13 |
| 2017 | 22 | 17 |
| 2016 | 35 | 23 |
| 2015 | 8 | 5 |
| 2014 | 10 | 7 |
| 2013 | 42 | 29 |
| 2012 | 14 | 11 |
| 2011 | 14 | 12 |
| 2010 | 19 | 17 |
| 2009 | 24 | 23 |
| 2008 | 15 | 11 |
| 2007 | 10 | 12 |
| 2006 | 16 | 15 |
| 2005 | 4 | 5 |
| 2004 | 5 | 3 |
| 2003 | 8 | 6 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 | 3 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 13 model-year variants; 0 of 6 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2022 | 2022 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 11.6 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | — | 11.8 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 23 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 6.6–9.6 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 7.2 | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| 2022 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 7.2 | 6.0 | 6.7 |
| 2021 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 7.2 | 6.0 | 6.7 |
| 2020 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 7.2 | 5.9 | 6.6 |
| 2019 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.4 | 7.5 |
| 2018 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.4 | 7.5 |
| 2017 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.5 | 7.8 |
| 2016 | Rio Eco · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.3 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | Rio Eco · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 6.3 | 7.6 |
| 2014 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.7 | 6.3 | 7.6 |
| 2013 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.1 | 6.4 | 7.3 |
| 2012 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.1 | 6.4 | 7.3 |
| 2011 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.3 | 7.0 | 7.7 |
| 2010 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.3 | 7.0 | 7.7 |
| 2009 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.5 | 7.1 | 7.9 |
| 2008 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 7.4 | 8.1 |
| 2007 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 7.4 | 8.1 |
| 2006 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 8.6 | 7.4 | 8.1 |
| 2005 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.6 | 8.2 | 9.6 |
| 2004 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 7.9 | 9.2 |
| 2003 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 7.9 | 9.2 |
| 2002 | Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| 2001 | Rio · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 9.9 | 8.1 | 9.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
9,521 Rio cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 162 | 160 | 1 |
| 2022 | 341 | 339 | 0 |
| 2021 | 630 | 626 | 1 |
| 2020 | 854 | 850 | 2 |
| 2019 | 996 | 991 | 3 |
| 2018 | 947 | 934 | 6 |
| 2017 | 977 | 961 | 6 |
| 2016 | 517 | 509 | 4 |
| 2015 | 555 | 535 | 10 |
| 2014 | 413 | 398 | 10 |
| 2013 | 458 | 434 | 17 |
| 2012 | 473 | 450 | 14 |
| 2011 | 318 | 301 | 11 |
| 2010 | 255 | 243 | 10 |
| 2009 | 393 | 384 | 4 |
| 2008 | 421 | 409 | 5 |
| 2007 | 360 | 351 | 6 |
| 2006 | 230 | 226 | 2 |
| 2005 | 109 | 104 | 3 |
| 2004 | 62 | 61 | 1 |
| 2003 | 30 | 30 | 0 |
| 2002 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 2001 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
38,609 Rio cars are on Dutch roads; 14% arrived later as imports, and 7,686 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 530 | €25,104 |
| 2022 | 766 | €24,375 |
| 2021 | 761 | €23,570 |
| 2020 | 922 | €21,280 |
| 2019 | 1,125 | €21,280 |
| 2018 | 2,300 | €18,320 |
| 2017 | 3,562 | €18,485 |
| 2016 | 2,388 | €17,685 |
| 2015 | 2,968 | €17,090 |
| 2014 | 3,707 | €16,060 |
| 2013 | 5,046 | €15,841 |
| 2012 | 7,590 | €15,381 |
| 2011 | 2,511 | €16,195 |
| 2010 | 79 | €12,555 |
| 2009 | 421 | €13,444 |
| 2008 | 777 | €13,844 |
| 2007 | 893 | €14,244 |
| 2006 | 921 | €13,888 |
| 2005 | 457 | €13,827 |
| 2004 | 419 | — |
| 2003 | 270 | — |
| 2002 | 138 | — |
| 2001 | 58 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
20,118 Rio cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 99% petrol, 1% diesel; 2% of all are hybrids. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 47 | — |
| 2024 | 277 | — |
| 2023 | 755 | 23,000 km |
| 2022 | 790 | 52,000 km |
| 2021 | 1,833 | 50,000 km |
| 2020 | 1,520 | 59,000 km |
| 2019 | 1,221 | 74,000 km |
| 2018 | 1,089 | 84,000 km |
| 2017 | 2,030 | 99,000 km |
| 2016 | 2,295 | 106,000 km |
| 2015 | 2,198 | 118,000 km |
| 2014 | 2,078 | 128,000 km |
| 2013 | 1,632 | 138,000 km |
| 2012 | 1,391 | 147,000 km |
| 2011 | 348 | 154,000 km |
| 2009 | 46 | 161,000 km |
| 2008 | 96 | 176,000 km |
| 2007 | 152 | 175,000 km |
| 2006 | 209 | 185,000 km |
| 2005 | 103 | 187,000 km |
| 2004 | 8 | 175,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 1,493 Rio cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 19 of those collisions were fatal and 347 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 287 | 4 | 73 |
| 2024 | 288 | 7 | 78 |
| 2023 | 318 | 3 | 78 |
| 2022 | 322 | 3 | 66 |
| 2021 | 278 | 2 | 52 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
98,736 Rio cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,631 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4,434 | 30 |
| 2021 | 3,641 | 20 |
| 2020 | 3,335 | 17 |
| 2019 | 4,829 | 36 |
| 2018 | 5,656 | 36 |
| 2017 | 7,921 | 90 |
| 2016 | 8,693 | 100 |
| 2015 | 11,088 | 202 |
| 2014 | 10,608 | 246 |
| 2013 | 9,278 | 324 |
| 2012 | 8,139 | 363 |
| 2011 | 5,967 | 321 |
| 2010 | 5,141 | 383 |
| 2009 | 3,857 | 385 |
| 2008 | 1,482 | 240 |
| 2007 | 801 | 181 |
| 2006 | 599 | 227 |
| 2005 | 308 | 237 |
| 2004 | 165 | 345 |
| 2003 | 95 | 264 |
| 2002 | 50 | 192 |
| 2001 | 18 | 47 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
98,443 Rio cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 70% passed first time, against 72% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 103 | 93% |
| 2020 | 3,391 | 92% |
| 2019 | 4,847 | 88% |
| 2018 | 5,751 | 85% |
| 2017 | 8,133 | 84% |
| 2016 | 8,909 | 80% |
| 2015 | 11,409 | 77% |
| 2014 | 11,125 | 69% |
| 2013 | 10,190 | 62% |
| 2012 | 9,281 | 61% |
| 2011 | 7,236 | 57% |
| 2010 | 6,566 | 56% |
| 2009 | 5,253 | 56% |
| 2008 | 2,329 | 51% |
| 2007 | 1,406 | 52% |
| 2006 | 1,146 | 52% |
| 2005 | 648 | 52% |
| 2004 | 371 | 49% |
| 2003 | 227 | 48% |
| 2002 | 122 | 53% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Rio | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.4% | 10.8% |
| Suspension | 8.0% | 8.8% |
| Brakes | 7.9% | 6.3% |
| Tyres | 7.0% | 6.5% |
| Visibility | 6.3% | 4.6% |
| Steering | 4.2% | 1.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.9% | 2.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
603,337 new Kia Rio cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (5,684), France (5,067), Germany (3,435).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 29,570 | 124 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 34,966 | 125 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 34,346 | 137 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 37,758 | 140 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 44,443 | 139 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 70,184 | 110 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 68,103 | — |
| 2015 | 64,714 | — |
| 2014 | 58,216 | — |
| 2013 | 56,472 | — |
| 2012 | 65,782 | — |
| 2011 | 24,923 | — |
| 2010 | 13,860 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
10,907 Kia Rio cars registered in Europe between 2021 and 2024 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions average 6.0 l/100 km on the road, against 5.5 l/100 km in the official WLTP test — 10% more.
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 10,779 | 6.0 | 5.5 | +10% |
| Petrol hybrid | 128 | 6.3 | 5.4 | +16% |
Litres per 100 km: total fuel used divided by total distance driven, from the car's own fuel consumption meter (OBFCM), collected in 2024 by the manufacturers, mostly remotely, and by national authorities. WLTP figures are the type-approval CO₂ values converted to litres. Hybrids, including mild hybrids, do not plug in; plug-in hybrid figures include the distance driven on electricity. European Environment Agency, Real-world CO₂ emissions from cars and vans · CC BY 4.0
What it costs in fuel
On real-world figures the petrol Kia Rio uses 6.0 litres per 100 km, so 15,000 km a year takes about 910 litres: £1,582 at this week's average price in United Kingdom, its largest market in Europe.
| Country | Petrol | Petrol hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,582 | £1,642 |
| France | €2,019 | €2,096 |
| Italy | €1,826 | €1,896 |
| Germany | €1,974 | €2,049 |
| Spain | €1,613 | €1,675 |
| United States | $1,025 | $1,064 |
Fuel for 15,000 km (9,300 miles) a year at real-world consumption. Pump prices with taxes, week of 19 October 2026: European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, US Energy Information Administration. Non-euro EU prices are in euros as the Bulletin publishes them.
Work it out for your driving
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Rio in 3 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Due to an internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit can occur in the electrical circuit for the ABS/ESC (Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, increasing th…
Due to a brake fluid leak, an electrical short circuit can occur during vehicle operation. This can cause an electrical overload in the ABS module, leading the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), to remain live even when the vehicle is switched off. If m…
The cable length of the rear door lock assemblies may be incorrect. Although appearing to engage, the child lock may not engage.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
11 campaigns cover the Rio.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." WHEN USED WITH CERTAIN CHILD SEATS, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) FUNCTION IN THE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES MAY DISENGAGE.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO CRACK UNDER LONG TERM DRIVING FATIGUE. IF CRACKS OCCUR, WHEEL NOISE AND VIBRATION WILL RESULT AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
NHTSA recalls