SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2020 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 38.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
31
201728
201821
201927
202015
202111
202212
2023
Compare all Rio years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Unknown Or Other
8Electrical System
5Engine
5Power Train
5Steering
4
All reported categories
Service Brakes
3Exterior Lighting
2Wheels
2Air Bags
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 8 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
5,000 miles · May 27, 2021
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving through an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the left front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the seat belt detached from the base. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained br…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving through an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the left front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the seat belt detached from the base. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained broken teeth, a split tongue, a broken hand, a concussion, and an abdominal contusion that required medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA ODI #11418755

Official recalls

1

21V936000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Dec 1, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.