This page covers 1 recall, 20 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 Kia Rio.
32 mpg combined
7.4 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2019 Kia Rio, engine complaints make up the most consistent pattern owners report. Several owners describe sudden oil loss leading to engine seizure, in more than one case, the oil light came on with little or no warning before the engine locked up, sometimes at highway speeds. Rod bearing failure and internal engine damage appear across multiple reports, with owners noting loss of power and the need for major engine work. A separate thread involves oil not being retained between changes, with at least one owner reporting the oil light failed to warn of a low-oil condition. Airbag complaints are the second most-reported system, though the narratives don't point to a single consistent symptom pattern among them. One isolated report mentions a child car seat locking mechanism that wouldn't engage properly, which is a seat product issue rather than a vehicle system complaint.
20
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
At a glance
What can fail
The trunk latch can become damaged, making it impossible to open the trunk from the inside.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
