Kia Rio years to avoid

The Kia Rio years to avoid are 2001, 2013, 2002, 2016, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2012, 2015, 2017 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2000 is the cleanest year on record.

1,807

Total complaints

Recall campaigns

2000–2023

Years covered

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Kia Rio NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Rio years to avoid

Year	Why	Complaints	vs avg
2001	High complaint rate	355	6.6×
2013	High complaints + open investigation	218	4.1×
2002	High complaint rate	171	3.2×
2016	High complaints + open investigation	110	2.1×
2003	High complaint rate	103	1.9×
2006	High complaint rate	89	1.7×
2014	Open safety investigation	74	1.4×
2012	Open safety investigation	73	1.4×
2015	Open safety investigation	69	1.3×
2017	Open safety investigation	37	0.7×

Every Rio year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Investigations
2023	20	0	0
2022	12	1	0
2021	23	2	0
2020	37	1	0
2019	29	1	0
2018	39	1	0
2017avoid	37	2	1
2016avoid	110	2	1
2015avoid	69	1	2
2014avoid	74	1	2
2013avoid	218	1	2
2012avoid	73	1	2
2011	32	0	0
2010	38	0	0
2009	54	0	0
2008	57	1	0
2007	64	1	0
2006avoid	89	1	0
2005	46	1	0
2004	53	2	0
2003avoid	103	3	1
2002avoid	171	1	1
2001avoid	355	3	6
2000	4	0	0

Common questions

What are the worst Kia Rio years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Rio years to avoid are 2001, 2013, 2002, 2016, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2012, 2015, 2017. The cleanest year on record is 2000.

What is the best year for the Kia Rio?

By complaint volume, 2000 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Rio years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?

Across all model years, the Rio has 11 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,807 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.