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2021 Kia Rio

Gas
Compact Cars
1 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA15
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA36 mpg
20232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Kia Rio is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car. The most efficient version, the Rio, is EPA-rated at 36 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 15 complaints, most often about the steering.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
RioGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl334136$1,750

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43488.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Kia Rio is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Steering

SC235
30 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskLoss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V304000reported May 5, 2022Kia Motors America
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SC223
87 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskReduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V936000reported Dec 1, 2021Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
15complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 6 · 2025: 2

Most-cited components

Unspecified6
Steering4
Service Brakes3
Engine2
Power Train2
Lane Departure2

What owners describe

“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.”May 14, 2025 · Steering · NHTSA owner report
“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.”Nov 14, 2023 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”Aug 24, 2023 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other Rio model years

A

2023 Kia Rio

0 recalls · 12 complaints

A

2022 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 11 complaints

A

2020 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2019 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 21 complaints

A

2018 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 28 complaints

C

2017 Kia Rio

2 recalls · 31 complaints

C

2016 Kia Rio

2 recalls · 77 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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