2020 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 Kia Rio ranks 2nd-worst out of 19 model years with a complaint index of 94 and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners reported 27 complaints led by electrical system issues (22%, including fires), plus engine stalling and a brake master cylinder recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 94/100
- #2 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 36
- 33 city / 41 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 3
Top 2020 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other8 (30%)
- Electrical System6 (22%)
- Engine5 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (19%)
- Steering4 (15%)
- Brakes3 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (11%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring near the passenger door frame reportedly smoked or burned, in some cases melting through to the car's frame.
- Owners describe the engine stalling unexpectedly at traffic lights, sometimes followed by unintended acceleration into another vehicle.
- One report describes a rod-related engine failure paired with a fire after a crash.
- A seat belt reportedly detached from its base during a crash, and the airbags failed to deploy.
- A tire reportedly exploded at very low mileage, which the dealer attributed to driver error rather than a defect.
- Brake pedal reportedly went down close to the floor at low mileage, described by a service manager as a safety issue.
2020 Kia Rio recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V936000Dec 1, 2021Brakes87 vehicles
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: 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.
2020 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 33 MPG
- Highway
- 41 MPG
- Combined
- 36 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,800
- 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.
2020 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Kia Rio reliable?
- It ranks 2nd-worst among 19 Kia Rio model years tracked, with a complaint index of 94 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What problems does the 2020 Kia Rio have?
- Owners most often reported electrical system issues (22% of complaints, including 3 fires), followed by engine and transmission/powertrain problems (19% each) and steering issues (15%).
- Does the 2020 Kia Rio have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall covers a brake master cylinder that may have sharp edges damaging the inner oil seal, reducing braking performance; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures in the 2020 Rio?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 2,780 miles overall, though transmission/powertrain complaints had a median of 34,857 miles.
- Which Kia Rio years are better than 2020?
- Years like 2011, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023 carry Best verdicts with much lower complaint indexes, ranging from 0 to 22, compared to the 2020 model's 94.