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2020 Kia Rio

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

Compare
Safety
not rated
Recalls
1
on record
MPG
36
combined

Fatalities reported

Owner complaints to NHTSA include 3 reports involving a death. Read the complaint record closely.

Vehicle Summary

2020 Kia Rio

1 recall
26 complaints
36 MPG combined

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
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Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
1
Owner complaints
26
Complaints citing a crash
3

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 We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

1 Recall on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

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

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign affecting this model year.

  • 21V936000high

    Brake system issue

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

    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.

Consumer complaints

26 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

26
Total
3
Crashes
5
Fires
1
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE9
  • BRAKES3
  • ELECTRICAL3
  • STEERING3
  • OTHER3

Serious Concerns

26 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 3 reports involve a death. 1 report involves injuries. 3 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)9
brake problems (soft pedal, noise, failure)3
electrical issues (battery, wiring, infotainment)3

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

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

Fuel economy

33

City

41

Hwy

36

Comb

Annual cost
$1,650
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

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. Recall

    Recall 21V936000

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