2021 Kia Rio: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern service brakes.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · May 2025
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2024
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Aug 2023
“seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been ordered but they haven't!!!! No one is following up with me, when I call I get told "until they can get in contact with the dealership Kia the corporate company cannot do anything" have 2 kids Kia the dealership as well as the corporate company knows about this and no one is doing anything!! NO ONE CARES”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2023
“At speeds over 20 miles per hours there is a "flapping" noise that sounds like a bag or piece of paper that is blowing in the wind. Although I don't know were the noise originates, I can hear it clearly from the driver's side b-pillar. It is incredibly annoying and greatly diminishes what is otherwise a solid entry, level vehicle.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2023
“The steering wheel column does not have a lock therefore someone broke into my car and tried to steal it and destroyed it, also no alarm went off when this happened.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2022
“I had driven my wife to her school about 5 miles and headed back to my work another 5 miles when i tried to accelerate pass car I lost almost all power barely making it up a slight hill I kept going trying to make it to my house barely going 10 miles an hour. I thought the transmission had let go cause while I had the gas peddle floored i went at best 10-15 miles an hour I eventually parked the car I knew it would never make it up another slight hill. It was rowed to a nearby dealer where they could find no problem telling me it was just some bad gas. This sounds like what I read about today with a couple of other models of Kia.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2022
“I was driving 60-70 miles an hour for 45 minutes then car lost all acceleration and engine light came on. I pulled over immediately turned the car off. Turned it back on drove 1/4 of a mile and same thing happened. I pulled over turned car off and had it towed to the dealership.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2022
“Vehicle failed to reduce speed effectively while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle during a left turn, which then caused the vehicle to turn widely and collide with the curb.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2021 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rio by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2021 Kia Rio. The most complained-about area is service brakes.
Does the 2021 Kia Rio have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:column. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.