YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2021 Kia Rio has a complaint index of 6, the lowest among 19 model years, earning a Best verdict. It has 15 complaints, 2 recalls (steering and brakes), and no fires, injuries, or deaths reported.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
6/100
#18 of 19 Rio years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
15
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
2
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
2
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Top issue
Steering
Best nearby year
2022
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
36
33 city / 41 hwy
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Top 2021 Kia Rio problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Brake pedal reportedly failed to reduce speed effectively during an attempted collision avoidance, leading to a curb impact.
  • Owners describe a scraping or squealing noise from the front brake area that dealers dismissed as normal for the model.
  • Some drivers say the brake felt like it stayed applied even after releasing the pedal, preventing the car from moving.
  • One owner reported sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed along with the engine light coming on, followed by a repeat stall.
  • Drivers describe the steering wheel pulling toward oncoming traffic on a straight road while the lane-assist indicator showed as active.
  • One owner reported a sudden major loss of power and near-total loss of speed while trying to accelerate uphill, suspecting a transmission failure.
2021 Kia Rio complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2021Apr 2022Oct 2022Jan 2023May 2023Nov 2023Dec 2025
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2021 to Dec 2025; peak Jan 2022 (2).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good3321132
2020Avoid9427136
2021Best615236
2022Best1111136
2023Best012036

All Kia Rio years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Rio reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Rio ranks as the Best year among 19 model years, with a complaint index of 6 and only 15 complaints.
What problems does the 2021 Kia Rio have?
Owners most often reported steering issues, accounting for 27% of complaints, followed by brakes at 20% and engine and transmission issues at 13% each.
Does the 2021 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for a steering column bolt that may not be secured properly, and one for a brake master cylinder with sharp edges that can reduce braking performance.
How does the 2021 Rio compare to other Rio years?
The 2021 Rio has the lowest complaint index (6) recorded across the 19 model years with data, placing it above years like 2013 and 2020, which had complaint indexes of 100 and 94.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Kia Rio?
The 2021 Rio gets 36 mpg combined (33 city, 41 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,800 according to the EPA.

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.