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CarsLore / Kia / Rio / 2021

2021 Kia Rio

15 owner complaints — #21 of 24 Rio model years. 2 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

15complaints · 2 crashes, 0 fires
2recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
—median mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Rio, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Unknown or other6
  • Steering4
  • Service brakes3
  • Engine2
  • Power train2
  • Electrical system1
  • Seat belts1
  • Lane departure1
  • Fuel/propulsion system1
  • Back over prevention1

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’2115’00’03’06’09’12’15’18’2115
20012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 19 2021 Rio vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 15 people died inside them, and 2 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 2021 Kia Rio failed the safety check 0.97% of the time — 3% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 24,749 miles.

1,339first inspections
0.97%failed on safety
24,749 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.7%3.5%’01’03’05’07’09’11’13’15’17’19’21’231.0%0.0%1.7%3.5%’01’04’07’10’13’16’19’21’22’231.0%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Registered new in Europe in 2021

34,966 new Kia Rio cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were France (5,963), Spain (4,485), Germany (3,822).

Average mass
1,156 kg
Average CO₂
125 g/km (WLTP)
Average power
68 kW
Fuel type recorded
Petrol 100%

European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

Real-world fuel consumption

4,696 Kia Rio cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 6.0 l/100 km on the road against 5.5 in the WLTP test (+9%).

FuelCarsOn the roadWLTPDifference
Petrol4,5736.05.5+9%
Petrol hybrid1236.35.4+15%

Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0

Engines

The most common engines in 2021 Kia Rio cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 hybrid (74 kW, 99 hp), 1.0 petrol (74 kW, 99 hp) and 1.0 hybrid (88 kW, 118 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.

EnginePowerCarsShare
1.0 hybrid74 kW 99 hp48764%
1.0 petrol74 kW 99 hp10914%
1.0 hybrid88 kW 118 hp10213%
1.2 petrol62 kW 83 hp618%

RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars

In the Netherlands

761 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €23,570.

30.6%had an APK defect recorded since June 2022
98.0%logical odometer history
0.0%with a recall still open

Most common APK defects

Colours

Grey 26%White 24%Black 21%Blue 17%Red 7%Green 3%

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording

In the United Kingdom

3,641 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 20 more were declared off the road (SORN).

3,641licensed, end of 2025
99%of those still registered are on the road

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

In 2023, 103 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 93% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.

93%passed first time
91%all cars from 2021
18,700 miaverage mileage at the test (all cars 30,000 mi)
Failed onThese carsAll cars from 2021
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment3.9%2.9%
Tyres1.9%3.3%
Brakes1.0%1.3%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

In Finland

1,833 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 50,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0

In New Zealand

630 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
2021 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD————0.0 %
Electronic stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
No
Lane departure warning
No
Best overall rating
—

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

Fuel consumption

Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 6.7–7.0 L/100 km (about 34–35 mpg US), CO₂ 159–166 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline1.6 L, 4 cyl.AV17.26.06.7159
Rio · Compact · Regular gasoline1.6 L, 4 cyl.M67.76.17.0166

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls in Canada

2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Kia Rio.

2022238
6 May 2022		Steering
Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the bolt connecting the lower steering column universal joint may not have been properly tightened. If the bolt loosens,…
2021730
2 Dec 2021		Brakes
Issue: On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder could fail and cause reduced braking. If this happens, the driver may experience increased brake pedal t…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

22V304000 · Steering5 May 2022 · 30 vehicles

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.

21V936000 · Service brakes, hydraulic1 Dec 2021 · 87 vehicles

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.

Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words

Service bulletins

What Kia told its dealers about the 2021 Kia Rio: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
11009080TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Softwa
11005368TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection connectivity-related concerns.
11004930TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT. The affected vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated on the instrument cluster with DTCs P084500, P084600, and/or P0867XX present with no drivability concerns due to a failed IVT oil pressure sensor.
11001598TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from May 30, 2011 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be equippe
11000787This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
10250838TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Softwa
10250517TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti
10247581CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
10247554TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Softw
10247553TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 13, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of Kia vehicles that are not equipped with an immobilizer
10245168TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL SEAT TRACK REPLACEMENT FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT SEAT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to inspect and repair an inoperative front seat mechanism on some 2019-2024MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced from June 18, 2018 through Present and some 2018-2023MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from January 2, 2017 through August 16, 2023. Symptoms of an inoperative front seat include the inability of the seat to move forwar
10244292CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. Kia has since learned that some vehicles fall within a group of 2018-2021 MY Kia Rios that did not have the correct version of the software installed, and the software that was installed in the vehicle does not restrict operation of the vehicle as intended. We have corre
10243925TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from May 30, 2011 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be equippe
10242912TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from February 28, 2012 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be eq
10242576CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will ship it directly to customers who place orders within eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
10242575TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from February 28, 2012 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be eq
10241171CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of the original letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to the vehicle to
10239717TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from February 28, 2012 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be eq
10237139TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OVERHEAD CONSOLE SUNGLASS DOOR-LATCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information to repair the overhead console lamp assembly and sunglass door latch on some 2012-2023MY model vehicles listed in the table below, which may encounter the sunglass case of the overhead console lamp not closing properly.
10236653TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from February 28, 2012 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be eq
10236111CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system should a locked vehicle be the subject of a break-in and theft attempt without the key. This software upgrade will be available to the customer free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter. When the software upgrade is complete, Kia will also provide the customer with window stickers that can be applied to your vehicle to discourage a
10236109TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) produced from February 28, 2012 through March 31, 2017 and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be eq
10235104PIT STOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W AND DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This Pitstop contains information regarding the log file collection procedure for 2020MY~ models equipped with AVN 5.0/W or Display Audio 2.0 head units.
10234600TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB) and 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add a
10234599TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on some 2012-2017MY Rio (UB), 2018-2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from June 1, 2017 through October 25, 2021, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft ignition start logic to the vehicle's system operation.

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)