2018 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
35,785 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 28 complaints (53.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 17.9% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 15 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 15; Air Bags: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Electrical System: 4; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 6; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11193460 · 2019-04-02 (April 2, 2019)
ON TWO OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE (IN MOTION) HAS GOTTEN SMOKE, I SMELLED BURNT, AND IT WAS ELECTRIC SHOCK WHEN I TOUCHED THE BOARD, I HAVE ALREADY REPORTED IT TO THE AGENCY THAT CORRESPONDS TO ME, HOWEVER THEY HAVE NOT SOLVED MY PROBLEM, I AM AFRAID THAT IT COULD BURN MY VEHICLE, MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 11193460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11376665 · 2020-11-27 (November 27, 2020)
OUR 2018 KIA RIO WAS BOUGHT NEW. I WAS TRAINING MY WIFE TO PARALLEL PARK WHEN IT HAD ONLY 100 MILES ON IT. AS SHE KEPT REPEATING THE PROCEDURE OF PARALLEL PARKING, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW MOVEMENT UNTIL THE ELECTRICAL CONTROL COOLED DOWN. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, BOB UTTER IN SHERMAN, TEXAS WHERE WE HAD PURCHASED THE CAR TO HAVE THEM DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. THEY DID NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND TOLD US THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR! TERRIBLE DEALERSHIP! SO NOW, AFTER THE CAR IS NEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11385131 · 2020-12-27 (December 27, 2020)
I HIT A DEER HEAD ON GOING 74 MPH ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421816 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear trunk a clicking noise was heard coming from the trunk as the trunk failed to open. The contact attempted multiple times to open the trunk but it would not open. The contact took their vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as the latch for the trunk was broken and that the only way to repair the failure was to break the latch from the inside of the trunk. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,570 miles reported. Look up ODI 11421816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436781 · 2021-10-14 (October 14, 2021)
On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11442870 · 2021-12-06 (December 6, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11454745 · 2022-03-01 (March 1, 2022)
My vehicle was recalled for a "interior trunk release" issue. My trunk will not open at all anymore. Kia's website does not allow me to schedule an appointment due to glitches on website. I also tried calling Kia and got no answer.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11454745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475215 · 2022-07-21 (July 21, 2022)
I received notice on 2/10/22 that there was a remedy part for my 2018 Kia Rio. The letter said it was a recall part involving a latch that opens my trunk from the inside. I tried repeatedly since then to make an appointment at Glendale, CA or Alhambra, CA Kia dealerships thru the Kia website but the website malfunctions every time I make an attempt. I tried at least 3 times to call, and the service department did not answer. On 7.20.22, I sent a request through the website chatbox, asking for an appointment and so far, no response.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475215 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V622000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, 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."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
NHTSA campaign record ↗