Verdict
2021 Kia Rio: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 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 15 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 56% of 2021 sedans. Steering leads the reports (27%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
15
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
36
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 56% of 2021 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Steering issues lead owner complaints (27% of 15 reports), followed by unknown or other (20%).
Share of all 15 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11495434, ODI 11660866, ODI 11512905, ODI 11480234.
Recalls(2)
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.
SteeringMay 2022 · 22V304000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Service BrakesJan 2021 · 21V936000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
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
2021 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 | Automatic (AV-S1) | 33 | 41 | 36 |
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.
2021 Kia Rio: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Kia Rio?
Owners filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Kia Rio — fewer complaints than 56% of comparable 2021 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 2021 Kia Rio?
The most-reported problem areas are Steering (27% of complaints) and unknown or other (20%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Rio have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2021 Kia Rio, covering components such as steering. 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 2021 Kia Rio get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Rio at 36 mpg combined.