Kia Rio Recalls

The KIA Rio has 18 recalls spanning 2001 through 2022, with the most serious recent issue being a steering column bolt on 2021-2022 models that can work loose, allowing the column to detach from the steering rack and leave the driver with no steering control.

The 2020-2021 model years share a brake master cylinder recall where sharp edges inside the cylinder can damage the internal seal, reducing braking performance and lengthening stopping distances. The 2020 model year has a separate brake master cylinder concern where the cylinder itself can fail outright, producing a soft or low pedal feel and extended stopping distances.

Going back to the 2012-2017 model years, the anti-lock brake control module can develop an electrical fault that starts a fire in the engine compartment, whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. The 2018-2019 four-door models have a trunk latch that can be damaged and prevent the internal emergency release from working, trapping anyone inside the trunk. The 2016-2017 models share a similar issue where the trunk latch base can crack and block the internal release. The 2016 model year has a related trunk release latch component that can fail and disable the emergency handle inside the trunk. A compliance label on certain 2018 vehicles also carries a misprint in the weight rating information.

The 2006-2008 model years have a front passenger seat occupant sensor mat that can develop fatigue cracks, causing the airbag system to misread the seat as occupied by an adult and deploy the airbag toward a child seated there. The 2003 model year has several child restraint issues: the rear outboard seatbelt automatic locking retractor can disengage when used with certain child seats, leaving the seat secured only by the emergency locking function, and the child seat lower anchor system can prevent a child seat from fully engaging the anchors, reducing restraint in a crash.

The 2001 model year has two fuel system concerns where the fuel distributor's intake nipple can crack or fracture, or the distributor assembly can leak fuel, either of which can result in a fire near ignition sources. That same year, the wheels can develop fatigue cracks that worsen over time and, if severe enough, cause a wheel to separate from the vehicle.