Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Steering: column
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 and remedy
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 brakes, hydraulic: foundation components, master cylinder
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 and remedy
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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Steering
2022-05-06 · campaign 2022-238 · 6 vehicles
Issue:
On a small number of vehicles, the bolt connecting the lower steering column universal joint may not have been properly tightened. If the bolt loosens, you could lose steering control.
Safety Risk:
A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and tighten the lower steering column universal joint bolt, as necessary.
Brakes
2021-12-02 · campaign 2021-730 · 29 vehicles
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder could fail and cause reduced braking. If this happens, the driver may experience increased brake pedal travel and a change in brake pedal feel (soft or low pedal).
Safety Risk:
Reduced brake performance can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the brake master cylinder.
Owner complaints (15)
Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Rio (2 crashes reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #21 for the most complaints (median 39).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Unknown or other | 6 | |
| Steering | 4 | |
| Service brakes | 3 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Power train | 2 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | |
| Lane departure | 1 | |
| Seat belts | 1 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Kia Rio.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2021 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2021 Kia Rio version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Rio 1.6 L Automatic (AV-S1) | 33 | 41 | 36 | $1,850 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.