Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Compact Cars

2010 Kia RioRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 26 owner complaints for the 2010 Kia Rio. Most complaints involve air bags (12) and electrical system (4). The EPA rates it 30–31 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
30–31mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
26
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2010 Kia Rio as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

26 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2010 – Jul 2022
  1. Air bags12
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Engine4
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Service brakes2
  6. Structure2
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  8. Power train1
  9. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rio model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001224
2002152
200384
200450
200537
200674
200746
200849
200941
201026
201124
201254
2013153
201452
201552
201679
201731
201828
201922
202027
202115
202212
202312
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

12 reports8 crashes
“The contact owned a 2010 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while his son was driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed head-on into a guard rail. During the crash, the front-end of the vehicle was severely damaged; however, no air bags were deployed. No injuries were reported; however, the contact was concerned that the air bags had not been deployed to provide protection to the driver or the front seat passenger. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11472774

Electrical system

4 reports
“WHEN DRIVING, THE CAR STALLS FOR NO REASON (THERE IS FUEL IN THE CAR, HAS REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND A BRAND NEW BATTERY). IT TAKES A COUPLE MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WILL RESTART. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THEN TURN RIGHT OFF, BUT THE RPM GAUGE STOPS WORKING EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL DRIVING. THERE IS A JERKING MOTION WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS BECOMING UNSAFE AND THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT REPLICATE THE SITUATION. ALL THEY DO IS RUN THE CODE BUT NOTHING COMES UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER 2016 AND HAS HAPPENED EVERY DAY SINCE THEN.THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE CAR COULD STALL ANYTIME WHILE DRIVING AND I COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT AND OTHER DRIVERS COULD GET HURT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2016Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 10930298

Engine

4 reports2 crashes
“TOOK MY CAR TO GET FIXED, AND LOOKED AT THE 2ND CYL.. APPARENTLY, TONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2ND CYL. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE ABOUT IT. I HAD THEM TRY ALL MY COILS AND ITS NOT A COIL PROBLEM. I HAD ALL SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AND TUNE UP WAS DONE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON MY 2ND CYL. TO BE MESSED UP... ? KIA I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN MY CAR, WHY ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS COMING UP? MY CAR IS NOT EVEN 5 YEARS OLD!!! I EXPECT TO GET ANSWERS ON THIS AND IT BE TAKEN CARE OF, I WILL NOT BE PAYING FOR SOMETHING WHEN I'VE DONE MY PART IN MAINTAIN G MY CAR. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2014Electrical system, Wheels, EngineODI 10664595
All 2010 Rio problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rio
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283431$2,000287
Rio
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273630$2,100296
  • Rio
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    28 city · 34 hwy · $2,000/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Rio
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 36 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Kia Rio as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5744Vehicle 5743
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2010 Rio questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Kia Rio have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2010 Kia Rio problems?

Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (12), electrical system (4), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Kia Rio get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Kia Rio at 30–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026