2020 KIA RIO

1 recalls, 37 complaints - 89 TSBs

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Defect Description

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.

87 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Complaint Statistics

37 total complaints 6 crashes 6 fires 1 injuries 9 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE	6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	5
WHEELS	3
POWER TRAIN	3
STEERING	2
STRUCTURE:BODY	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2
SERVICE BRAKES	1
VISIBILITY/WIPER	1

Incident date: Mar 17, 2026

These rims outter lip have a poor design and when hitting a pot all the outer lips add additional pressure and the rim causes the tire burst This is the 2nd time this has happened to me. In 2 the years I had the car. The first time it happened was in NY state

Incident date: Sep 13, 2025

My husband and I brought our 2010 X5 (VIN ), mileage: to BMW of El Cajon on 09/29/2025 for a recall service. Before the recall repaire, the vehicale was in normal working condition: -No check engine lights or warning indicators -No unusual noises -Fully drivable on a daily basis After the recall wa... Read more

Incident date: May 26, 2025

6/2/25 tried to start vehicle, codes coming up and car would not start 6/6/25 car was in park running, starting chiming with alarms, the same alarms that came up a few days before.

Incident date: Mar 2, 2025

I have the white pearl paint on my 2020 Telluride. It’s chipping in chunks on the roof and in smaller batches across the body. I paid extra for this paint and from recent research, I’m reading this is a common issue. I’d like this to be repaired. I only have 37,000 miles on the vehicle. I firs... Read more

Incident date: Mar 2, 2025

While coasting at very low speed with foot off accelerator or brake, into a crowded parking spot, the brakes failed after foot applied to the brake petal. This caused our vehicle to collide with a vehicle in front of us, pushing it a few feet backwards. Despite strong effort to push brake pedal down... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Mar 4, 2025

More than once now the vehicle has applied its parking brake, the engine stalled, and stopped the vehicle in the middle of the road. It then required me to reset the emergency brake to “release”, return the shifter knob to park, and restart the vehicle in the middle of busy intersections!!

Incident date: Oct 8, 2024

My car has difficulty starting and shows up that the battery is dead. When I checked the battery, it was fine. My car has a strange smell coming out of the AC, my oil light is on even if the oil is fine and brand new. Something is wrong with the fuel pump as well.

Incident date: Jul 5, 2023

My engine failed with no warning, my car shut down on the hwy. It was a safety issue because the car shut down while driving on the hwy and could have resulted in a traffic accident. This problen is all over the internet. There were no warning lights. Car ran fine up until it stalled and lost power ... Read more

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

water pump blew up at 120k miles, motor locked up leaving me in the middle of the road

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

when you hit the gas the steering turns when you let go it straightens back out please look into this i might cause an accident or loose control of the car

Incident date: Sep 1, 2023

water pump blew up at 120k miles, motor locked up leaving me in the middle of the road

Incident date: Sep 3, 2023

While waiting at a light in 2022 our 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport did not allow gear shift movement warning showed Gearbox alert we had to turn the car off & sit in the middle of traffic. It finally allowed gearshift to work & we then took it to Land Rover in Frisco,TX. Dealership permanently tur... Read more

Incident date: Sep 3, 2023

Incident date: Aug 9, 2023

VCT solenoids failed. Unit was to be covered under warranty. Parts are unavailable but I was told it was "OK" to use and operate the vehicle. The vehicle stalls and hesitates when using it. Causes an issue when crossing an intersection or in traffic. I'm concerned the vehicle will stall when cross... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2022

While driving in heavy rain, I got warning: Stop and Check Battery. When I could find a safe place I stopped and read the Manual. I could find nothing helpful. My car was 63% charged. This was the 12v battery failing. I was then 5 miles from home. I turned off radio and lights, but could not... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2023

Rear suspension not holding air. Rear suspension went flat while driving in highway. Had to pull over due to sudden rough ride

Incident date: May 1, 2023

I’ve had two instances of the windshield moulding becoming detached and flying off the car while on the highway. The first was a couple of years ago and involved the right side windshield moulding, this last one involved the left side windshield moulding. Each time I can’t be sure that the mou... Read more

Incident date: May 2, 2022

The Passenger Headlight has water inside it, and water vapor. The connections for the light blubs is corroding.

Incident date: May 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated the vehicle was parked at her residence, when entering inside the cab, she noticed the gear shaft was melted. The contact stated she did not visibly see fire. The police did come to her residence and informed the cause of the fire was an electronic... Read more

Fire

Incident date: May 2, 2022

Fire

Incident date: Jan 15, 2022

Yes my son bought this car last year I have been checking since January there has still been no recalls on his particular car he was in a car accident and unfortunately him and his passengers were all killed. I have contacted an attorney who has sent an inspector they said initial look it look like ... Read more

Crash Fire 3 deaths

Incident date: Jan 15, 2022

Crash Fire 3 deaths

Incident date: Jan 15, 2022

Crash Fire 3 deaths

Incident date: Dec 9, 2021

marker lights on the right side won't work both went off line and licence light same side is out same time and bulbs ,fuse replaced and still not working the kia service will not fix in kia of manharttan in kansas andi have 68,000 miles and they didn't offer a basic warrantty to be long when online... Read more

Incident date: Dec 9, 2021

Incident date: Dec 27, 2021

Rear ended a car at 60 mph on black ice and the air bags did not deploy

Incident date: Jul 23, 2021

My Kia Rio 2020 had the check engine light come on today. The engine coolant temperature gauge went all the way to the Hot mark. The car is one year old and and has 60093 miles on it. The dealership Demontrond Kia refused to repair it under warranty. I called Kia corporate and was told the same ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that he was a former service technician and that while driving and stopping at a stoplight, the traffic light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle idled and stalled for a few seconds before inadvertently... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 25, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving through an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the left front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the seat belt detached from the base. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was f... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Feb 1, 2020

my 2020 kia rio pulls to the left. it is not the tires the wheel alignment or the brakes. it has electronic power steering. other 2020 kia rios built after mine were fixed with a download. the car is dangerous so i drive in the right lane.

Incident date: Feb 10, 2020

WHILE DRIVING, MY 2020 KIA RIO HAS STALLED WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE TURNING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TP PASS A CAR ON INTERSTATE. ALSO SEVERAL TIME WHEN JNUST DRIVING. VERY SCARY FEELING.

Incident date: Feb 10, 2020

Incident date: Dec 28, 2020

MY CAR WAS PARKED AT MY PLACE AFTER GETTING OUT OF IT AROUND 8:30AM. I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AT 12PM AND THE INSIDE WAS BURNT BECAUSE A FIRE STARTED IN THE MIDDLE CONSUL.*DT*JB

Fire

Incident date: Jan 20, 2021

WIND SHIELD FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN DRIVEN WITHOUT USE. CONTINUALLY FILLING RES. AND WITHIN 10-15 MILES FLUID DISAPPEARS. WE CANNOT TELL IF THERE IS FLUID IN THE TANK IF NEEDED AND COULD CAUSE VISIBILLITY PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING..

Incident date: Sep 24, 2020

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEM FIVE DAYS AGO ABOUT THE BRAKES GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR ALMOST I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SO HE GAVE ME THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER YOBE PICKED UP THEY DID ON FRIDAY MORNING 9/25/20 THE CAR WAS DELIVERED AND THE SER... Read more

Incident date: Sep 24, 2020

Incident date: Jul 5, 2020

I BOUGHT A NEW KIA RIO, AFTER JUST 300 KILOMETERS OF USE A TIRE EXPLOTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I WENT TO KIA DEALER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT, AFTER DAYS THE KIA ANSWER WAS THAT IT WAS MY FAULT MAYBE BEACUSE I DROVE WITH LOW PRESSURE IN THAT TIRE OR I HIT AN EDGE OR I HIT A HOLE BUT NONE OF THOSE THREE T... Read more

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2020 KIA RIO

2020 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD

Category	Rating
Rollover Risk	0.0%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	Optional
Lane Departure Warning	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2020 KIA RIO

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Front-Wheel Drive)	33.0	41.0	36.0	Regular	$1,750

CO2 Emissions: 249.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2020 KIA RIO

89 manufacturer communications from 53 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	26
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	11
010000 STEERING	10
160000 STRUCTURE	8
100000 POWER TRAIN	7
116300 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE	3
350000 EQUIPMENT	3
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY	2

010000 STEERING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indic

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

160000 STRUCTURE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification

160000 STRUCTURE

160100 STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

115000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

160000 STRUCTURE

012200 STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

010000 STEERING

160000 STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022M

115000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE/BCM

160100 STRUCTURE:CRITICAL FASTENERS

010000 STEERING

012200 STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

160000 STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL SEAT TRACK REPLACEMENT FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT SEAT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.

220000 SEATS

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition system

353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

116300 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

350000 EQUIPMENT

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia has developed a software upgrade that can be installed on the vehicle to restrict the operation of the vehicle's ignition s

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

353100 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES

171200 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OVERHEAD CONSOLE SUNGLASS DOOR-LATCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information to repair the overhead console lamp assembly and sunglass door latch on some 2012-2023MY model vehicles listed in the table below,

163400 STRUCTURE:INTERIOR PANELS:SUN VISOR

330000 INTERIOR LIGHTING

160000 STRUCTURE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

116300 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

116300 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2307) - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Mod

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PIT STOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W AND DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This Pitstop contai

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmis

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides inform

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster. The

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black b

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th

100000 POWER TRAIN

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

350000 EQUIPMENT

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

010000 STEERING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This b

160000 STRUCTURE

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

260000 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

100000 POWER TRAIN

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: IVT/CVT SW LOGIC IMPROVEMENT AND/OR IVT/CVT REPLACEMENT (SA476) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the software logic of the IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission)/CVT (Continuous

100000 POWER TRAIN

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin pr

010000 STEERING

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PITSTOP: LOG FILE COLLECTION FOR AVN 5.0/W & DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0 - This Pitstop contains information regarding the log file collection procedure for 2020MY~ models equipped with AVN 5.0/W or Display Audio 2.0 head units.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC20). This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the mar

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: MDPS LOGIC UPDATE FOR DTC C125901 & C111201 (SA456) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) software on some 2020MY Rio vehicles produced

010000 STEERING

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

010000 STEERING

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

350000 EQUIPMENT

PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.

034510 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most Kia vehicles. If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be i

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE

160000 STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: LEFT REAR DOOR CAVITY WAX APPLICATION (SA426) - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and if necessary, add rust inhibitor (wax) to the left rear door panel of some 2020MY Rio (SC) vehic

100000 POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requ

140000 AIR BAGS

PITSTOP: AIRBAG CRASH PAD SURFACE IMPRINT - This Pitstop provides information to avoid unnecessary replacement of the crash pad on some 2019~MY Rio (SC) vehicles due to an airbag outline/imprint usually noticed under sunlight conditions of

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DATA COLLECTION: EXTRACT CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS DATA FROM ECU (DC20) - This bulletin provides information related to extracting "in use performance tracking" emissions data from the Engine Control Unit (ECU) of cer

010000 STEERING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor D

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

010000 STEERING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB084_R3: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of t

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA RIO

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2001

STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE

ON MARCH 24, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-030) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STEEL WHEEL FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 KIA RIO VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 12 THROUGH OCTOBER 17, 2000.WHEELS... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2001

STEEL WHEEL FRACTURE

ON MARCH 24, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED STEEL WHEEL FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 KIA RIO VEHICLES.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WHEELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MAY 12 AND OCTOBER 18, 2000.WHEELS WERE MANUFA... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2001

FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE

ON APRIL 15, 2003, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-016) TO INVESTIGATE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES DUE TO ALLEGED FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 KIA RIO VEHICLES.THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS ON AUGUST 28, 2003.ON SE... PTEMBER 22, 2003, THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (03V-352) TO INSPECT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR FUEL LEAKS.AN INFORMATION REQUEST (IR) LETTER WAS SUBMITTED TO THE MANUFACTURER ON NOVEMBER 17, 2003 TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SO THAT THE OFFICE COULD EVALUATE THE DEFECT AS REPORTED BY KIA.THE IR LETTER ALSO ADDRESSED OTHER KIA VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO THIS INVESTIGATION THAT USE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM COMPONENTS IDENTICAL TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 03V-352.KIA?S SEPTEMBER 22, 2003 DEFECT NOTIFICATION LETTER IDENTIFIED QUALITY DEVIATIONS IN THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.DURING MY 2001 PRODUCTION, THE SUPPLIER OF THE FUEL RAIL (FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY) IDENTIFIED QUALITY ISSUES THAT AFFECTED THE INTEGRITY OF PLASTIC WELDS AT THE SERVICE PORT AND/OR FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE.FUEL LEAKAGE COULD ALSO OCCUR IF THE BRASS SERVICE PORT (SCHRADER) VALVE WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED INTO THE VALVE RECEPTACLE.THE SUPPLIER ADOPTED CHANGES TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM AND INSTITUTED A 100% INSPECTION PROCEDURE.SUBSEQUENT TO THIS INVESTIGATION, KIA ALSO CONDUCTED PERFORMANCE TESTING AND ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA.KIA DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL RAIL IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE AT THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR VEHICLE SERVICING.DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN THE FLEXIBLE FUEL LINE (MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY) QUICK CONNECT COUPLING IS IMPROPERLY ATTACHED OR REMOVED FROM THE FUEL RAIL, OR WHEN EXCESSIVE FORCE IS OTHERWISE APPLIED.ODI IS AWARE OF 9 NON-DUPLICATE, NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES CAUSED BY FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS AND AN ADDITIONAL 14 FIRES OF UNKNOWN CAUSE THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI IS ALSO AWARE 6 FIRES IN MY 2002 AND 3 FIRES IN MY 2003 RIO/RIO CINCO VEHICLES THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE DEFECT.TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL RAIL DAMAGE, KIA HAS REDESIGNED THE FUEL RAIL TO INCLUDE A STEEL INTAKE NIPPLE, AND THE ATTACHING FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO FACILITATE EASIER SERVICING.ON APRIL 7, 2004, KIA NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (04V-179) TO REPLACE THESE TWO COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE FOR OWNERS OF ALL MY 2001-2004 KIA RIO AND RIO CINCO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM MAY 4, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2004.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2001

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 22 NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES OF ANY OR UNSPECIFIED CAUSE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.NINE FIRES (OF WHICH 4 WERE ALSO REPORTED TO ODI) ARE IDENTIFIED AS BEING DUE TO A FUEL SYSTEM LEAK ORIGINATING BETWEEN THE FIREWALL AND THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL (P/N 0K30E 13 150) IN THE PASSE... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2001

AIR BAG NON DEPLOY

THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 82 REPORTS ALLEGING NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS.OF THE 82 REPORTS, ONLY ONE INCIDENT, THE FATAL CRASH THAT WAS THE BASIS FOR OPENING THE INVESTIGATION, HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A MODERATE TO SEVERE CRASH IN WHICH THE AUTOMOTIVE RESTRAINT CONTROLLE... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2001

AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT FRONTAL CRASH

IN ADDITION TO THE DECEMBER 2001 FATAL CRASH REPORTED TO ODI THAT PROVIDED THE BASIS FOR OPENING PE02-022, KIA PROVIDED ODI 29 ADDITIONAL REPORTS OF ALLEGATIONS OF NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG IN A CRASH.NO ADDITIONAL FATAL CRASHES ARE REPORTED.AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN OPENED TO CONDUCT FUR... Read more

KIA RIO - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA RIO across all model years (2001, 2022).

27 Total Recalls

1,809 Total Complaints

6 Investigations

229 Reported Crashes

111 Reported Fires

14 Reported Deaths

KIA RIO - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2023	0	20	View
2022	1	12	View
2021	2	23	View
2020 (current)	1	37
2019	1	29	View
2018	1	39	View
2017	2	37	View
2016	2	110	View
2015	1	69	View
2014	1	74	View
2013	1	218	View
2012	1	73	View
2011	0	32	View
2010	0	38	View
2009	0	54	View
2008	1	57	View
2007	1	64	View
2006	1	89	View
2005	1	46	View
2004	2	53	View
2003	3	103	View
2002	1	171	View
2001	3	355	View
2000	0	4	View

Other KIA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SORENTO	188	13,593	View
SPORTAGE	165	6,601	View
SEDONA	118	3,350	View
OPTIMA	100	10,128	View
TELLURIDE	70	2,186	View
SOUL	66	7,233	View
SORENTO HYBRID	62	159	View
SOUL EV	62	50	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2020 KIA RIO

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2020 KIA RIO

Safety Technology

EPA Fuel Economy, 2020 KIA RIO

Technical Service Bulletins, 2020 KIA RIO

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA RIO

KIA RIO - All Years Overview

KIA RIO - Year by Year

Other KIA Models