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
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering4
- Service brakes3
- Power train2
- Engine2
- Electrical system1
- Back over prevention1
- Seat belts1
- Lane departure1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- 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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
6
6
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 |
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.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Electrical system
1 report
“Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”
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.