Verdict
2018 Kia Rio: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Kia Rio — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.
Owners filed 27 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 59% of 2018 sedans. Engine leads the reports (33%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
27
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
32
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 59% of 2018 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (33% of 27 reports), followed by unknown or other (19%).
+ 3 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 27 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11739727, ODI 11700932, ODI 11692892, ODI 11691729, ODI 11646521.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Latches/Locks/LinkagesSep 2021 · 21V622000Details +Close −
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
2018 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| Rio | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 28 | 37 | 32 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Kia Rio: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Kia Rio?
Owners filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Kia Rio — fewer complaints than 59% of comparable 2018 sedans, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Kia Rio?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (33% of complaints) and unknown or other (19%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Rio have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2018 Kia Rio, covering components such as latches/locks/linkages. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Rio get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Kia Rio at 32 mpg combined.