2019 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
4,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 21 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Engine: 6; Air Bags: 3; Power Train: 2; Steering: 2; Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking: 1; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 15 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 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2019: 4; 2020: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 11171552 · 2019-01-23 (January 23, 2019)
THE CAR DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11171552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11205794 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED FROM THE CENTER LANE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, RIGHT FOOT, AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAVENAUGH KIA (LOCATED AT 3315 STADIUM BLVD, JONESBORO, AR 72404, [phone removed]) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE CRASH AND AIR BAG FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 102 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11255508 · 2019-09-14 (September 14, 2019)
THE CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN ANY SITES BY KIA. SO HOW I CAN GET ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS OR ANY OTHER ISSUE WITH MY CAR??
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11255508 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11277536 · 2019-11-01 (November 1, 2019)
STEERING HAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE LEFT.
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11309662 · 2020-02-17 (February 17, 2020)
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT IT TURNED YELLOW I MASH DOWN ON MY BRAKE IT ENGAGED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND IT GAVE ON ME AND I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE AGAIN I COULD NOT STOP FOR THE LIGHT AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11309662 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11315702 · 2020-03-02 (March 2, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF STOCKTON LOCATED AT (6215 HOLMAN RD, STOCKTON, CA 95212) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11315702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11377300 · 2020-12-01 (December 1, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 42 MPH, WHILE IN THE LEFT LANE TO GO STRAIGHT. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE TURNING LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN INSTEAD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE WITH IMPACT. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE OTHER VEHICLE PUSHED THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE LANDED INTO A DITCH AND CAME TO A STOP. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER HIT HER HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAG …
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448375 · 2022-01-21 (January 21, 2022)
No incident's with my vehicle, just need my recall to be complete before i ship my vehicle from LA to Hawaii.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448375 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 ↗