2011 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2011 Kia Rio ranks 16th out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 17 and earns a Best verdict relative to other Rio years. NHTSA logs 24 complaints, no recalls, and no fires, with Engine problems the top category.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #16 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 24
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 27.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2011 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (38%)
- Airbags5 (21%)
- Electrical System5 (21%)
- Brakes4 (17%)
- Other2 (8%)
- Steering2 (8%)
- Structure & Body2 (8%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Frontal airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and head-on collisions at speeds around 30-40 mph, sometimes despite seat belt use and resulting in head injuries.
- Brakes pulsated or caused the steering wheel to jerk left to right when depressed, in one case leading to a low-speed rear-end collision.
- A new vehicle pulled to one side and then the other, with owners reporting steering jerks traced to an alignment issue at low mileage.
- The engine lost power and produced a knocking sound before shutting off, preceded by a flashing check-engine light.
- The ignition switch locked up and would not release the key, requiring towing and dealer repair.
- Owners described the brake and gas pedals as positioned too close together and at similar height, causing unintended acceleration when trying to brake.
2011 Kia Rio recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2011 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Rio reliable?
- Among 19 Rio model years, the 2011 ranks 16th worst with a complaint index of 17, and NHTSA lists no recalls for it. It carries a Best verdict relative to other Rio years.
- What problems does the 2011 Kia Rio have?
- NHTSA lists 24 complaints for the 2011 Rio, led by Engine issues (9 complaints, 38% share, median mileage 87,065) and Airbags (5 complaints, 21% share, involved in 4 crashes).
- Does the 2011 Kia Rio have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 Kia Rio.
- How does the 2011 Rio compare to other bad Rio years?
- The 2013 Rio has the worst complaint index at 100 with 153 complaints, and the 2015, 2016, and 2020 Rios are also rated Avoid, making the 2011's index of 17 comparatively low.