{"id":"2021_kia_rio","make":"Kia","make_slug":"kia","model":"Rio","model_slug":"rio","year":2021,"url":"/kia/rio/2021/","pts":["gas"],"configs":[{"id":43488,"model":"Rio","pt":"gas","drive":"Front-Wheel Drive","trany":"Automatic (AV-S1)","cyl":4,"displ":1.6,"eng":"","turbo":false,"super":false,"start_stop":false,"city":33,"hwy":41,"comb":36,"cityA":0,"hwyA":0,"combA":0,"kwh100":null,"range":null,"range_city":null,"range_hwy":null,"erange":null,"phev_comb":null,"charge240":null,"charge240b":null,"charger":"","charger_b":"","motor":"","fuel":"Regular","vclass":"Compact Cars","co2":249,"fe_score":8,"ghg_score":8,"fuel_cost":1750,"save_spend":2500,"guzzler":false,"mfr_code":"KMX","modified":"Tue Aug 03 00:00:00 EDT 2021"}],"vclass":"Compact Cars","segment":"Compact car","epa_certified":true,"recalls":[{"campaign":"22V304000","component":"STEERING:COLUMN","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2022-05-05","owner_notified":"2022-05-27","units":30,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC235","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"},{"campaign":"21V936000","component":"SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER","mfr":"Kia Motors America","reported":"2021-12-01","owner_notified":"2022-01-11","units":87,"summary":"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.","notes":"Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.","park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"mfr_campaign":"SC223","initiated_by":"MFR","variants":[],"severity":"high"}],"recall_count":2,"critical_count":0,"park_outside":false,"do_not_drive":false,"score":84,"grade":"B","complaints":{"count":15,"crash":2,"fire":0,"injured":0,"deaths":0,"comps":[["Unspecified",6],["Steering",4],["Service Brakes",3],["Engine",2],["Power Train",2],["Lane Departure",2]],"by_year":{"2021":1,"2022":6,"2023":6,"2025":2},"excerpts":[["2025-05-14","Steering","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\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get hurt or worse."],["2023-11-14","Power Train","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."],["2023-08-24","Electrical System","Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern."]]},"investigations":[],"ncap":[],"popularity":999,"headline":{"range":null,"mpg":36,"ncap":null,"complaints":15},"presskit_trims":[],"generated_at":"2026-09-11 06:27 UTC","sources":["EPA fueleconomy.gov","NHTSA recalls","NHTSA complaints","NHTSA NCAP","NHTSA investigations"]}