Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.
23V652000NHTSA report received September 2023Model years: 2016–2017
NHTSA campaign 23V652000: Kia Rio service brakes recall
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete.
23V594000NHTSA report received August 2023Model years: 2016–2017
NHTSA campaign 23V594000: Kia Rio latches/locks/linkages recall
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge.
22V304000NHTSA report received May 2022Model years: 2021–2022
NHTSA campaign 22V304000: Kia Rio steering recall
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.
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge.
21V936000NHTSA report received December 2021Model years: 2020–2021
NHTSA campaign 21V936000: Kia Rio service brakes recall
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.
Consequence: 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 per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge.
21V622000NHTSA report received August 2021Model years: 2018–2019
NHTSA campaign 21V622000: Kia Rio latches/locks/linkages recall
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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy per NHTSA (as of 2026-08-27): Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge.
The same full inspection at every tier, at the seller’s location, with a photo-documented report:
Other small cars to weigh against the Kia Rio. Recall counts cover different model-year spans and are not a reliability ranking.
How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?
As of NHTSA records retrieved 2026-08-27, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the Kia Rio, model years 2016–2024. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, variants, trims or build dates, so a particular vehicle may be affected by all, some, or none of them, and a campaign count is not a reliability ranking. Whether an open recall is a safety risk depends on the campaign, so read the NHTSA entry for the VIN. Each campaign below shows the remedy NHTSA records, which may be a dealer or service-center repair, an over-the-air software update, or, for some campaigns, a repurchase. This page details the most recent campaigns; the full record for any VIN is at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What should an inspector check on a used Kia Rio?
Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: latches/locks/linkages, service brakes, steering. An inspector documents the visible and operational condition of those systems without disassembly; internal parts, software-only issues and whether a recall remedy was performed are VIN-lookup questions, not inspection findings.
Can a pre-purchase inspection tell me whether a Kia Rio recall was done?
No. Whether a recall repair was performed is recorded against the VIN, so NHTSA's lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls (or the manufacturer's own) is the authoritative check. Run it before you travel. The inspection covers what a VIN lookup cannot: the physical condition of the vehicle in front of you.
Can you inspect a Kia Rio at a dealer, a private seller, or out of state?
Yes. The inspector usually travels to the vehicle at the seller's location — a dealer lot or a private seller — and you do not need to be there. Vehicle Inspectors dispatches an independent inspector within 50 miles of any US ZIP code, widening to 150 miles if needed; more remote locations are quoted case by case. You get a photo-documented PDF report in 24–48 hours.
How much does a Kia Rio pre-purchase inspection cost?
A pre-purchase inspection of a Kia Rio through Vehicle Inspectors: Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449. Your card is saved at booking, not charged. A hold is placed when an inspector schedules, and you are charged after the inspection is completed. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours, the request auto-cancels and nothing is charged.
Vehicle Inspectors matches buyers with independent inspectors nationwide. Local pages for cities with active inspectors:
