Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Kia Rio problems

Owners filed 15 complaints about the 2021 Kia Rio with NHTSA between Jul 2021 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is steering (4).

Complaints
15
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering4
  2. Service brakes3
  3. Power train2
  4. Engine2
  5. Electrical system1
  6. Back over prevention1
  7. Seat belts1
  8. Lane departure1
  9. Fuel/propulsion system1
  10. Other / unknown6

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
20211
20226
20236
20240
20252

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

Steering

4 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2025SteeringODI 11660866

Service brakes

3 reports2 crashes
“Having been complaining about a noise from under the front right tire, I was initially told it was a little piece of plastic and that got cut off. I was still hear the scraping and squealing and I kept check the from right tire because I thought that's where it was coming from. I mentioned this to every mechanic at kia and was told "that's just how 2021s sound". Finally after months of complaining the noise got louder and you could hear it was clearly something in steering. They schedules an appointment for Dec 7th on Mon Nov 28th. Said it was safe to drive when that night while working I was turning a corner, I heard a loud spring noise, the tire and wheel jerked. It was snowing, so the car slide, only sliding into the curb. The front right break seemed to be locked and when you turn the steering wheel makes even more noise. Haven't been told the issue, but I'm certain it is not safe and definitely shouldn't be on the streets until it's fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2022Steering, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11495434

Power train

2 reports
“Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2023Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11555136

Engine

2 reports
“I was driving 60-70 miles an hour for 45 minutes then car lost all acceleration and engine light came on. I pulled over immediately turned the car off. Turned it back on drove 1/4 of a mile and same thing happened. I pulled over turned car off and had it towed to the dealership.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 2, 2022EngineODI 11459319

Electrical system

1 report
“Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2023Electrical system, Back over preventionODI 11540589

Back over prevention

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.