2018 Kia Rio Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
31/100
#10 most-complained of 14 Rio years
The 2018 Kia Rio has 28 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a Complaint Index of 31, ranking 10th worst out of 14 model years. NHTSA labels it "Good" relative to other Rio years, with Engine issues making up 57% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28.5 city / 37 hwy
Top 2018 Kia Rio problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine16 (57%)
- Electrical System6 (21%)
- Airbags5 (18%)
- Other5 (18%)
- Structure & Body4 (14%)
- Fuel System2 (7%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy in a head-on collision at highway speed.
- Some describe sudden unintended acceleration from a stop that resulted in a crash.
- Engine problems include abnormal noise at highway speed followed by an engine fire near the front of the vehicle.
- Several owners report excessive oil consumption requiring oil changes every two weeks, with oil pans found empty and no warning light activation.
- One owner reported the steering wheel locking up during low-speed parking maneuvers on a nearly new vehicle.
- The trunk latch has failed to open, tied to a recall, with one owner noting the replacement part was unavailable for an extended period.
2018 Kia Rio recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V622000Aug 9, 2021Structure & Body253,074 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:trunk lid:latch
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, 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 assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
2018 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28.5 MPG
- Highway
- 37 MPG
- Combined
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,050
- 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.
2018 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Kia Rio reliable?
- NHTSA lists 28 complaints and 1 recall for the 2018 Kia Rio, with a Complaint Index of 31. It ranks 10th worst of 14 Rio model years and carries a "Good" verdict relative to other Rio years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Kia Rio?
- Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 57% of complaints (16 of 28), with a median mileage at failure of 106,158 miles and 2 fires reported.
- Does the 2018 Kia Rio have a recall?
- Yes. Recall 21V622000 covers a trunk latch that may fail to open from inside the vehicle, affecting certain 2016-2018 Forte and 2018-2019 Rio vehicles. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2018 Rio compare to other Rio model years?
- The 2018 Rio's Complaint Index of 31 is lower than the 2013 (100), 2015 (92), 2016 (85), and 2020 (77) model years, which are all rated "Avoid." Only years like 2021, 2022, and 2023 score lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Kia Rio?
- The 2018 Kia Rio gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg combined (28.5 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.