2019 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Kia Rio has a complaint index of 33, ranking 13th out of 19 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It had 21 complaints, one recall for a trunk latch defect, and no crashes tied to its top problem area (Engine).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #13 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 21
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28.5 city / 37 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2019 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other9 (43%)
- Engine7 (33%)
- Airbags3 (14%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Steering2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Electrical System1 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (5%)
- Structure & Body1 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes at low-to-moderate speeds, sometimes causing injuries.
- Brakes reportedly lost engagement suddenly while stopping at intersections, leading to collisions.
- Engines have thrown rods or seized after oil pressure warnings, sometimes with smoking or loud noise from the engine bay, at a median mileage of 8,000 for reported failures.
- Transmission hesitated or delayed engagement when accelerating from a stop.
- Trunk latch buzzed or failed to release, including through the emergency release, tied to recall 21V622000.
2019 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.
2019 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.
2019 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Kia Rio reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Rio a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict, ranking 13th out of 19 model years for this model. It has 21 complaints and one recall on record.
- What is the top problem area for the 2019 Kia Rio?
- Engine complaints make up 33% of reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 8,000 miles.
- Does the 2019 Kia Rio have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 21V622000) covers a trunk latch that may fail to open from inside, affecting 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles.
- How does the 2019 Rio compare to other Rio model years?
- With a complaint index of 33, the 2019 Rio ranks better than years like 2013 (index 100, Avoid) and 2020 (index 94, Avoid), but it trails Best-rated years such as 2021, 2022, and 2023.
- What fuel economy does the 2019 Kia Rio get?
- EPA rates the 2019 Rio at 32 mpg combined (28.5 city / 37 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.