Kia Rio recall history and complaint patterns
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Kia Rio, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Kia Rio. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Kia Rio, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 2000–2023 with 27 recall campaigns and 1769 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 2003 (3), 2001 (3), and 2021 (2).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 2001 (355), 2013 (210), and 2002 (171).
- Top recall themes: Seats and restraints, Brakes, and Fuel and emissions.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Engine, Air bags, Electrical system.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Seats and restraints
4 campaigns · Years: 2003–2005, 2016–2019These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.
Brakes
2 campaigns · Years: 2012–2017, 2020–2021These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Fuel and emissions
2 campaigns · Years: 2001–2004These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Airbags
1 campaign · Years: 2006–2008These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
- 12V244000 · Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive
Other
1 campaign · Years: 2001These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
- 05V159000 · Wheels
Steering and suspension
1 campaign · Years: 2021–2022These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.
- 22V304000 · Steering: Column
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Kia Rio in NHTSA complaint data are Engine, Air bags, Electrical system.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 20 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Steering, Power train. |
| 2022 | 1 | 11 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch, Steering. |
| 2021 | 2 | 22 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Steering, Service brakes, Engine. |
| 2020 | 1 | 36 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Electrical system, Power train. |
| 2019 | 1 | 24 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Steering. |
| 2018 | 1 | 31 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2017 | 2 | 34 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bags. |
| 2016 | 2 | 108 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system. |
| 2015 | 1 | 69 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system. |
| 2014 | 1 | 73 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2013 | 1 | 210 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Electrical system. |
| 2012 | 1 | 68 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system. |
| 2011 | 0 | 32 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine, Air bags, Electrical system. |
| 2010 | 0 | 38 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2009 | 0 | 54 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine, Seats. |
| 2008 | 1 | 57 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Air bags:frontal, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2007 | 1 | 64 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2006 | 1 | 86 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Air bags:frontal, Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module. |
| 2005 | 1 | 46 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Electrical system. |
| 2004 | 2 | 53 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling:engine. |
| 2003 | 3 | 103 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes, hydraulic. |
| 2002 | 1 | 171 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling. |
| 2001 | 3 | 355 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Air bags, Power train:automatic transmission. |
| 2000 | 0 | 4 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Engine and engine cooling. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Fuel system and Latches/locks/linkages
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⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.