YearToAvoid

2023 Kia Rio Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#14 most-complained of 14 Rio years

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

The 2023 Kia Rio ranks best among 14 model years tracked, with only 12 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 0, and zero recalls. Engine and steering issues each account for 25% of complaints, but no crashes, fires, or injuries were reported.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
36
32 city / 41 hwy

Top 2023 Kia Rio problems

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

  1. Other5 (42%)
  2. Engine3 (25%)
  3. Steering3 (25%)
  4. Electrical System2 (17%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (17%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (17%)
  7. Seat Belts1 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of motive power at 40 MPH with no warning light, followed by the transmission failing to shift into gear.
  • Some describe a rattling noise heard when starting the engine that mechanics could not reproduce during inspection.
  • Others report the transmission not shifting at all, with RPM climbing but no acceleration, which a dealer confirmed was a dead transmission.
  • Steering complaints describe the wheel feeling off-center or requiring constant correction to keep the car driving straight, sometimes tied to a wheel alignment.
  • One owner reported oversteering on the freeway, where small steering wheel movements caused an exaggerated turn of the car.
  • Another described difficulty holding a center line above 55 MPH, with steering input feeling sticky above 40 MPH.
2023 Kia Rio complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2023Aug 2023Jan 2024Nov 2024Aug 2025
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2023 to Nov 2025; peak Jan 2024 (5).

2023 Kia Rio recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2023 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost

City
32 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.

2023 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
2021Best815236
2022Best1511136
2023Best012036

All Kia Rio years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Kia Rio reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Kia Rio ranks best among 14 model years, with only 12 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and no recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Kia Rio?
NHTSA complaints show Engine and Steering issues tied at 25% share each, followed by Electrical System, Suspension, and Transmission & Powertrain problems at 17% each.
Does the 2023 Kia Rio have any recalls?
NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2023 Kia Rio, including zero do-not-drive recalls.
At what mileage do 2023 Kia Rio engine problems occur?
The one documented case with mileage data reported an engine power loss at a median mileage of 100,900 miles.
How does the 2023 Kia Rio compare to other Rio years?
The 2023 model has a complaint index of 0, the lowest among tracked years, compared to 2013's index of 100 and 2016's index of 85, both rated Avoid.

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.