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Research · Compact Cars

2011 Kia RioRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 24 owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Rio. Most complaints involve engine (7) and electrical system (5). The EPA rates it 30 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
24
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2011 Kia Rio as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

24 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Mar 2025
  1. Engine7
  2. Electrical system5
  3. Air bags5
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Service brakes3
  6. Structure2
  7. Steering2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system1
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic1

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
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

7 reports
“Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1. I got smart after dealing with the dealer. I bought lifetime coils from autozone and about every 1.5 to 2 years I am replacing them. It's easy to do but thats not the point. I've never had or heard of any car doing this except mine. And please let's not talk about resetting the computer brain. That is an impossible task in LA the land of teaffic....please take a moment & read the hoops you have to go through on kia's Rio forum. After trying to get my car slogged for a year I paid a guy 135.00 gave him my car for the night so he could do it. Utter [XXX] !”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 23, 2025EngineODI 11649950

Electrical system

5 reports
“The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11542347

Air bags

5 reports4 crashes
“AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OF WHICH I HAD A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FAILED TO YIELD AND TOOK A LEFT TURN HITTING ME HEAD-ON. WE WERE EACH GOING BETWEEN 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. I SLAMMED MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SHEARING MY BRAIN FROM THE INSIDE OF MY SKULL RESULTING IN A MASSIVE INTERNAL BLEED. I ALSO SUFFERED A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND TORE SEVERAL LIGAMENTS IN MY NECK. I CURRENTLY CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM TERRIBLE MIGRAINES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESUME MY PREVIOUS PROFESSION AS AN ARCHITECT. WHY DID MY AIRBAG NOT PROTECT ME FROM SLAMMING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL? IT SEEMS MY AIRBAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. I REMEMBER IT TOUCHED MY FACE BUT DEFINITELY DID NOT PROTECT ME FROM HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN A SERIOUS BRAIN FOG FOR MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND MY LAWYER MIS-ADVISED ME IN NOT PURSUING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN SOLD FOR PARTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11320026
All 2011 Rio problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-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 Oct 29, 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
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150296
Rio
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283330$2,150296
  • Rio
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Rio
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    28 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 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 2011 Kia Rio as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 322Vehicle 321
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

2011 Rio questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Rio have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2011 Kia Rio problems?

Owners filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (7), electrical system (5), air bags (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Kia Rio get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Kia Rio at 30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026