The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Rio · 2011

2011 Kia Rio. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index42100 = average car
Complaints11NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold20,111U.S. model year
Per 100K sold55complaints
Year rank#6 of 17#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD27 / 35 / 30Regular$2,100
1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD28 / 33 / 30Regular$2,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 74,600 miles. Median 61,000, from 20 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine89,10064,000–106,5005
Airbags40,80022,200–71,0005

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags36%
Electrical27%
Steering18%
Brakes18%
Wheels9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2440302

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Manufacturer communications 51

Kia filed 51 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Installing an additional ground cable to the battery may cause sensor problems
  • TSB - USE OF AFTERMARKET USB CHARGING CABLES IN USB/12V PORTS - This article provides…
  • Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Rio SW FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Kia Rio 4 DR FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2008612236,532Airbags
2009–1134,666Airbags
2010311024,619Airbags
2011421120,111Airbags
2012301340,275Electrical
2013693540,742Engine
2014552335,933Body structure

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data