2021 KIA RIO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
23
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 KIA RIO
The 2021 KIA RIO has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:COLUMN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (6 complaints), Steering (4 complaints), and Service Brakes (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 KIA RIO
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2021 KIA RIO, potentially affecting up to 117 vehicles.
Recall 22V304000 — STEERING:COLUMN
| 30 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
View full details →Recall 21V936000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 87 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 KIA RIO
23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 KIA RIO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Assist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Warning | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.
Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.
Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.
Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.
Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.
Safety Rating for the 2021 KIA RIO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 KIA RIO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 KIA RIO
Kia America, Inc. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 KIA RIO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
CS2311A_OWRNSC — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CUSTOMER 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...
TSB_BOD212_R1 — SEATS
TECHNICAL 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...
CS2307B1_OWNR — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CUSTOMER 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...
CS2307L_OWNRSC — EQUIPMENT
CUSTOMER 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...
TSB_ELE240 — EQUIPMENT
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: FRONT CAMERA LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC 160649 (SA475) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front Camera system on some 2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from December 22, 2020 through March 29, 2021 to correct an out-of range fault...
TSB_ELE240 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: FRONT CAMERA LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC 160649 (SA475) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front Camera system on some 2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from December 22, 2020 through March 29, 2021 to correct an out-of range fault...
TSB_ELE240 — LANE DEPARTURE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: FRONT CAMERA LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC 160649 (SA475) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front Camera system on some 2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from December 22, 2020 through March 29, 2021 to correct an out-of range fault...
TSB_ELE240 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: FRONT CAMERA LOGIC IMPROVEMENT FOR DTC 160649 (SA475) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front Camera system on some 2021MY Rio (SC) vehicles produced from December 22, 2020 through March 29, 2021 to correct an out-of range fault...
TSB_ELE209 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 KIA RIO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA RIO
- 2016 KIA RIO — 108 complaints
- 2017 KIA RIO — 34 complaints
- 2018 KIA RIO — 33 complaints
- 2019 KIA RIO — 26 complaints
- 2020 KIA RIO — 36 complaints
- 2021 KIA RIO (current)
- 2022 KIA RIO — 11 complaints
- 2023 KIA RIO — 20 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA SPORTAGE — 6,540 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints