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2016 Kia Rio

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
4
of 5 stars
Recalls
2
on record
MPG
30
combined

Open recalls on record

2 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Recalls2
Complaints77
Safety
Fuel1 Open Investigation

Vehicle Summary

2016 Kia Rio

2 recalls
77 complaints
30 MPG combined
4/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
2
Owner complaints
77
Complaints citing a crash
7

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalised by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

2 Recalls on Record

1 of these is high-severity. Contact a dealer to verify these have been completed.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 23V594000high

    Latches/locks/linkages · trunk lid · latch

    LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

  • 23V652000high

    Brake system issue

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consumer complaints

77 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

77
Total
7
Crashes
5
Fires
5
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE39
  • BRAKES18
  • OTHER8
  • LIGHTING4
  • AIR BAGS4

Notable Issues

77 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 5 reports involve injuries. 7 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)39
brake problems (soft pedal, noise, failure)18
miscellaneous issues8

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Compact Cars
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
1.6L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Seats
0

Fuel economy

27

City

36

Hwy

30

Comb

Annual cost
$2,000
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Data sources

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Kia Rio years

Common problems

Kia Rio problems

271 owner complaints analysed

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation AQ23002

    Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

  2. Recall

    Recall 23V652000

    An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  3. Recall

    Recall 23V594000

    A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.