The Lemon IndexKia Rio.
The best Kia Rio years are 2018, 2022, 2012. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2003. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 46, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2001 to 2023.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2018.
Quick answers.
Is the Kia Rio a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 46; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2018 and the worst is 2001.
What are the best Kia Rio years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2018, 2022, 2012.
What Kia Rio years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2001, 2002, 2003.
How many recalls does the Kia Rio have?
25 safety recalls across the 22 model years we track. Most: 2001 (3), 2003 (3), 2004 (2). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Kia Rio problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, airbags and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 232 | 2.3× the average car's complaints | 168 | engine (25%) | 3 | — | 25–26 |
| 2002 | 187 | 1.9× the average car's complaints | 108 | engine (29%) | 1 | — | 24–26 |
| 2003 | 140 | 1.4× the average car's complaints | 51 | engine (29%) | 3 | — | 25–26 |
| 2004 | 74 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 25 | engine (44%) | 2 | — | 24–26 |
| 2005 | – | too few complaints to score | 13 | engine (23%) | 1 | — | 24–25 |
| 2006 | – | too few complaints to score | 19 | airbags (47%) | 1 | — | 29 |
| 2007 | – | too few complaints to score | 17 | airbags (41%) | 1 | — | 29 |
| 2008 | 61 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 22 | airbags (45%) | 1 | — | 29 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 11 | airbags (45%) | 0 | — | 30 |
| 2010 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 10 | airbags (60%) | 0 | — | 30–31 |
| 2011 | 42 | 2.4× fewer complaints than average | 11 | airbags (36%) | 0 | — | 30 |
| 2012 | 30 | 3.3× fewer complaints than average | 13 | electrical (31%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 31–32 |
| 2013 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 35 | engine (23%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 31–32 |
| 2014 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 23 | body structure (22%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 30–31 |
| 2015 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 12 | airbags (42%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 30–31 |
| 2016 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 11 | engine (45%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 30–31 |
| 2018 | 26 | 3.8× fewer complaints than average | 6 | doors, locks & latches (33%) | 1 | — | 32 |
| 2019 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 11 | steering (18%) | 1 | — | 32 |
| 2020 | 89 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 20 | engine (20%) | 1 | — | 36 |
| 2021 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 13 | brakes (23%) | 2 | — | 36 |
| 2022 | 27 | 3.7× fewer complaints than average | 9 | body structure (11%) | 1 | — | 36 |
| 2023 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | steering (25%) | 0 | — | 36 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data