Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Kia Rio problems

Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2019 Kia Rio with NHTSA between Jan 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (6).

Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine6
  2. Air bags3
  3. Power train2
  4. Steering2
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Lane departure1
  7. Back over prevention1
  8. Structure1
  9. Other/i am not sure1
  10. Electrical system1
  11. Vehicle speed control1
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  13. Service brakes1
  14. Suspension1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20194
20203
20210
20224
20234
20241
20252
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

6 reports1 fire
“On the morning of October 15th, the oil light of my 2019 Kia Rio came on, immediately followed by extreme engine noise, just before the engine locked. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service center. They checked and reported that all oil had leaked out and motor had locked. I then had vehicle towed to Kia dealer and requested a motor replacement. They not only charged me for a diagnostic test that determined the motor had locked but also refused to replace the engine without me paying $12,000. The vehicle's motor has the same problems as the motors in 2011-2019 kia Engine Defect Settlement but for some reason was allowed to be excluded from the settlement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2026EngineODI 11710569

Air bags

3 reports3 crashes
“Victim was hit head on by a truck. Victim was going 10-15mph truck faster. Victim was t-boned on the driver side at the front tire. The entire front fender and frame were damaged. Victim sub-stained a bad shoulder injury and ptsd. Air bags did not deploy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11533077

Power train

2 reports
“The oil light flashed in the car once after an oil change, so I took the car back the very next day to the mechanic and he said there was no oil in the car at the time. He filled the car back up with oil, and by the end of the week, the car needed oil again, but no light indicated the car was low on oil. Months went by with constant oil changes and the car needing oil, so the mechanic told me to take the car to the dealership because he couldn't find a leak. Took the car to the dealership, they couldn't find a leak either. Took the car back to the main mechanic who said the car was consuming too much oil and that a new engine was needed. Spoke to the corporate office for the car company and was told that I needed to get all these tests did before I could be eligible for a new engine. I scheduled the tests, but before I could even make it to the dealership for the tests, the car gave out because there was no oil again and this time the car started burning. I called corporate again and was told that since I'm not the original owner of the car I would be denied for a new engine and that I wouldn't be offered a loaner car. I was told it was best for me to get…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11622905

Steering

2 reports
“STEERING HAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE LEFT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2019SteeringODI 11277536

Exterior lighting

1 report
“The trunk latch is broken which is a known recall for KIA but not for my car model. There is no way to access the trunk otherwise. Now my tail light is out and cannot be fixed because I cannot access the trunk. There is NO OTHER WAY TO ACCESS THE TRUNK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 8, 2026Exterior lighting, Lane departureODI 11769826

Lane departure

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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