2016 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Kia Rio ranks 4th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 77 complaints, mostly engine-related. It carries an Avoid verdict due to engine fires, brake failures, and two recalls covering brakes and a trunk latch defect.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #4 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 77
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 31
- 27 city / 36 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine42 (55%)
- Brakes18 (23%)
- Other15 (19%)
- Electrical System12 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Airbags4 (5%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Steering3 (4%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires reported after warning lights flash and a loud bang or tapping sound comes from under the hood.
- Engine surging or stalling followed by loss of power while driving.
- Brake pedal reportedly sinks to the floor with fluid loss, resulting in reduced stopping ability.
- Airbags failed to deploy during rear-end and frontal collisions despite the vehicle being struck.
- Vehicle caught fire shortly after the driver exited and parked, with no prior warning.
- Steering became difficult at low speed with TPMS and ABS lights illuminated, leading to loss of control.
2016 Kia Rio recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
- NHTSA 23V594000Aug 24, 2023Structure & Body319,436 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
2016 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36 MPG
- Combined
- 31 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,100
- 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.
2016 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Kia Rio reliable?
- Compared to other Rio model years, the 2016 ranks 4th worst of 19 years tracked, with a complaint index of 83 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Rio?
- Engine problems make up 55% of complaints (42 of 77), including reports of engine fires, followed by brakes at 23% and electrical system issues at 16%.
- Does the 2016 Kia Rio have a recall?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2016 Rio: one covering brakes that requires parking outside due to fire risk, and one covering a trunk latch base that may crack and prevent the trunk from opening from inside.
- At what mileage do 2016 Kia Rio engines typically fail?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,000 for engine-related complaints on the 2016 Rio, the highest median mileage among its problem areas.
- How does the 2016 Rio compare to other years?
- The 2016 Rio's complaint index of 83 is higher than most other years; only 2013 (100) and 2015 (89) rank worse, while years like 2021, 2022, and 2023 earn Best verdicts with much lower indexes.