Research · complaint index
Kia Rio years to avoidWhat NHTSA complaint data does and doesn’t say
We compared 23 model years of the Kia Rio by owner complaints to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. 2013, 2001, 2016 stand out with at least twice the typical complaint rate.
Complaints per year on the road
1.0 = typical year for this model
| Year | Complaints | Per year on road | Index | Recalls | Crashes | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 12 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | Typical |
| 2022 | 12 | 2 | 0.8 | 1 | 2 | Typical |
| 2021 | 15 | 3 | 0.8 | 2 | 2 | Typical |
| 2020 | 27 | 4 | 1.2 | 1 | 3 | Typical |
| 2019 | 22 | 3 | 0.9 | 1 | 4 | Typical |
| 2018 | 28 | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 3 | Typical |
| 2017 | 31 | 3 | 1.0 | 2 | 3 | Typical |
| 2016 | 79 | 7 | 2.3 | 2 | 8 | Most complaints |
| 2015 | 52 | 4 | 1.4 | 1 | 4 | Typical |
| 2014 | 52 | 4 | 1.3 | 1 | 7 | Typical |
| 2013 | 153 | 11 | 3.5 | 1 | 8 | Most complaints |
| 2012 | 54 | 4 | 1.2 | 1 | 3 | Typical |
| 2011 | 24 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 4 | Fewest complaints |
| 2010 | 26 | 2 | 0.5 | 0 | 9 | Fewest complaints |
| 2009 | 41 | 2 | 0.7 | 0 | 6 | Typical |
| 2008 | 49 | 3 | 0.8 | 1 | 13 | Typical |
| 2007 | 46 | 2 | 0.7 | 1 | 11 | Typical |
| 2006 | 74 | 4 | 1.1 | 1 | 12 | Typical |
| 2005 | 37 | 2 | 0.5 | 1 | 4 | Typical |
| 2004 | 50 | 2 | 0.7 | 2 | 5 | Typical |
| 2003 | 84 | 4 | 1.1 | 3 | 8 | Typical |
| 2002 | 152 | 6 | 2.0 | 1 | 29 | Typical |
| 2001 | 224 | 9 | 2.8 | 3 | 21 | Most complaints |
- 202312 complaints · 0 recallsTypical
- 202212 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 202115 complaints · 2 recallsTypical
- 202027 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 201922 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 201828 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 201731 complaints · 2 recallsTypical
- 201679 complaints · 2 recallsMost complaints
- 201552 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 201452 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 2013153 complaints · 1 recallMost complaints
- 201254 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 201124 complaints · 0 recallsFewest complaints
- 201026 complaints · 0 recallsFewest complaints
- 200941 complaints · 0 recallsTypical
- 200849 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 200746 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 200674 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 200537 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 200450 complaints · 2 recallsTypical
- 200384 complaints · 3 recallsTypical
- 2002152 complaints · 1 recallTypical
- 2001224 complaints · 3 recallsMost complaints
Data from NHTSA Complaints & Recalls APIs · synced Oct 29, 2026
Fewest complaints for their age: 2011, 2010.
About this comparison
What Kia Rio years have the most complaints?
Adjusted for years on the road, 2013, 2001, 2016 drew at least twice the typical rate of NHTSA owner complaints among the 23 model years compared.
Is this a reliability rating?
No. These are counts of unverified owner complaints to NHTSA. They are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so a popular year can collect more complaints. Use them to find patterns, then read the reports.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.