YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Rio Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

8/100

#13 most-complained of 14 Rio years

The 2021 Kia Rio ranks Best among 14 model years, with a complaint index of 8, 15 complaints, and 2 recalls covering steering and brakes. It has the lowest complaint volume of any recent Rio year.

Complaints
15
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
36
33 city / 41 hwy

Top 2021 Kia Rio problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other6 (40%)
  2. Steering4 (27%)
  3. Brakes3 (20%)
  4. Engine2 (13%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
  6. Electrical System1 (7%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (7%)
  8. Fuel System1 (7%)
  9. Lane Departure1 (7%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (7%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly failed to slow the vehicle enough to avoid a collision during a turn, ending in a curb impact.
  • Some owners describe a persistent scraping or squealing noise from the front right wheel area that dealers dismissed as normal.
  • Several drivers report the vehicle would not move after releasing the brake pedal at a stop, as if the brake stayed engaged.
  • One owner reports sudden loss of acceleration and an illuminated engine light after highway driving, requiring a tow.
  • Steering wheel reportedly pulled the car toward oncoming traffic at highway speed while lane-assist indicators showed normal operation.
  • One owner reports the car moved forward on its own after being placed in park, nearly striking a child.
2021 Kia Rio complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2021Apr 2022Oct 2022Jan 2023May 2023Nov 2023Dec 2025
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2021 to Dec 2025; peak Jan 2022 (3).

2021 Kia Rio recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V304000May 5, 2022Steering30 vehicles

    Steering:column

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

    Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

  2. 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.

2021 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.

2021 compared with other Rio years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good3821132
2020Avoid7727136
2021Best815236
2022Best1511136
2023Best012036

All Kia Rio years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Rio reliable?
Among Rio model years, 2021 ranks Best with a complaint index of 8, the lowest of the years shown, and only 15 total complaints.
What problems does the 2021 Kia Rio have?
NHTSA complaints center on steering (27% of complaints) and brakes (20%), with smaller shares in engine, transmission, electrical, and fuel system categories.
Does the 2021 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for a steering column bolt that may not be secured (campaign 22V304000) and one for a brake master cylinder seal defect (campaign 21V936000).
How does the 2021 Rio compare to other bad Rio years?
The 2021 Rio's complaint index of 8 is far below the worst year, 2013, which has an index of 100 and an Avoid verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Kia Rio?
The 2021 Kia Rio gets an EPA-rated 36 mpg combined (33 city / 41 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,800.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.