Kia Rio years to avoid
More than twice the Rio's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Kia Rio years
Fewest owner complaints among the last 20 model years, counting only those with at least four years on the road.
Kia Rio complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Kia Rio problems
All model years combined.
- Engine396
- Airbags273
- Brakes175
- Electrical154
- Fuel system98
- Transmission91
- Seat belts62
- Steering55
- Suspension53
- Body51
- Wheels47
- Acceleration40
Most reported problems on the Kia Rio
Kia Rio problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | - | 12 | Engine | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 90 | 12 | Driver assistance | 1 | 2 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2021 | 89 | 15 | Steering | 2 | 2 | Fewest complaints | |
| 2020 | 77 | 27 | Electrical | 5,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2019 | 83 | 22 | Engine | 8,000 | 1 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2018 | 81 | 28 | Engine | 54,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2017 | 78 | 31 | Engine | 45,000 | 2 | 3 | |
| 2016 | 49 | 80 | Engine | 51,000 | 2 | 8 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 62 | 52 | Engine | 60,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 64 | 52 | Engine | 33,000 | 1 | 7 | |
| 2013 | 26 | 153 | Engine | 65,000 | 1 | 8 | Avoid |
| 2012 | 63 | 54 | Engine | 64,000 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 83 | 24 | Engine | 62,000 | 0 | 4 | |
| 2010 | 77 | 26 | Airbags | 63,000 | 0 | 9 | |
| 2009 | 75 | 39 | Airbags | 50,000 | 0 | 6 | |
| 2008 | 67 | 46 | Airbags | 46,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 2007 | 67 | 46 | Airbags | 60,000 | 1 | 11 | |
| 2006 | 52 | 74 | Airbags | 64,000 | 1 | 12 | |
| 2005 | 73 | 37 | Engine | 52,000 | 1 | 4 | |
| 2004 | 76 | 38 | Engine | 69,000 | 2 | 4 | |
| 2003 | 51 | 74 | Engine | 30,000 | 3 | 8 | |
| 2002 | 30 | 128 | Engine | 37,500 | 1 | 25 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 11 | 223 | Engine | 48,000 | 3 | 21 | Avoid |
| 2000 | - | 3 | Airbags | 0 | 0 |
Recalls 11
Compare the Rio
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Questions about the Kia Rio
What years of the Kia Rio should you avoid?
2001, 2002, 2013 and 2016. Each has more than twice the Kia Rio's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2001 alone has 223, mostly about engine and airbags.
What is the best year for a used Kia Rio?
2022, 2021 and 2019 have the fewest owner complaints among model years that have been on the road for at least four years (12, 15 and 22).
What is the most common problem with the Kia Rio?
Engine, with 396 complaints across all years, followed by airbags (273) and brakes (175).
How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?
11 recalls between 2000 and 2023. The 2003 model year has the most, with 3.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Kia Rio?
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