All cars · Kia Rio

2023 Kia Rio.

The 2023 Kia Rio has too few complaints to score: 12 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about steering, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 36 mpg combined. The best Kia Rio year is 2018.

Early read

Not enough data. Only 12 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.

Best year 2018 · Worst year 2001

Photo shows a 2012 Kia Rio. Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemSteering25% of owner complaints Recalls0None on record Better year to buy20183.8× fewer complaints than average Repair notes from Kia19Ask a seller if they were done

Owner complaints12first 3 years

Fuel economy36 mpgcombined, EPA

Crash testnot ratedNHTSA

How serious. Out of 12 owner complaints, owners reported:

0crashes

0injuries

0fires

1tows

19 repair notes from Kia

Early read. The 2023 Kia Rio hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2023 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

steering25%

engine25%

electrical17%

transmission & drivetrain17%

suspension17%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Kia Rio year →

Recalls 0

No safety recalls on record.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Kia told dealers about

Kia sent dealers 19 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides…
Technical service bulletin: service action: engine oil reset light logic improvement (sa548) -…
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard

Collision warningOptional

Lane departure warningOptional

Crash test details

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
Kia Rio 5 HB FWD	not rated	not rated	not rated	not rated
Kia Rio 4 DR FWD	not rated	not rated	not rated	not rated

Fuel cost and engines

About $1800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.

Quick answers

Is the 2023 Kia Rio reliable?

There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2023 Kia Rio problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (25%), engine (25%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Rio have?

None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Rio get?

36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2023 Kia Rio have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2023 Kia Rio cost in fuel a year?

About $1800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2023 Kia Rio have?

1.6L 4-cyl.

What Kia Rio year is better than the 2023?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2022 and 2012.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works