2020 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
2,780 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 27 complaints (29.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 22.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 18.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 8; Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Power Train: 5; Steering: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Exterior Lighting: 2; Wheels: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (6). 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 2; 2021: 8; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 1; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 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 11351245 · 2020-08-25 (August 25, 2020)
I BOUGHT A NEW KIA RIO, AFTER JUST 300 KILOMETERS OF USE A TIRE EXPLOTED WHEN I WAS DRIVING, I WENT TO KIA DEALER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT, AFTER DAYS THE KIA ANSWER WAS THAT IT WAS MY FAULT MAYBE BEACUSE I DROVE WITH LOW PRESSURE IN THAT TIRE OR I HIT AN EDGE OR I HIT A HOLE BUT NONE OF THOSE THREE THINGS HAPPENED. IN THE PICTURES YOU CAN SEE HOW THE CUT OF THE EXPLOTION IS ALIGNED WITH A METALLIC PART INSTALLED IN THE WHEEL. WHEN EXPLOTION OF TIRE OCCURRED I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGHWAY, THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MY SAFETY WAS IN RISK. …
Owner-reported narrative. 186 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361468 · 2020-09-28 (September 28, 2020)
I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT MY BRAKE PROBLEM FIVE DAYS AGO ABOUT THE BRAKES GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR ALMOST I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SO HE GAVE ME THEIR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE NUMBER YOBE PICKED UP THEY DID ON FRIDAY MORNING 9/25/20 THE CAR WAS DELIVERED AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE WOULD CALL ME THAT DAY ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM I COULD ONLY GET RECORDING ABOUT MAKING AN APPOINTMENT I TALKED TO THE FINANCE MANAGER ABOUT THE BRAKES CAUSING A FIRE ON OTHER SAME BRAND VEHICLES HE TOLD …
Owner-reported narrative. 560 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11391146 · 2021-02-02 (February 2, 2021)
WIND SHIELD FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN DRIVEN WITHOUT USE. CONTINUALLY FILLING RES. AND WITHIN 10-15 MILES FLUID DISAPPEARS. WE CANNOT TELL IF THERE IS FLUID IN THE TANK IF NEEDED AND COULD CAUSE VISIBILLITY PROBLEMS WHILE DRIVING..
Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 11391146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395163 · 2021-02-08 (February 8, 2021)
MY CAR WAS PARKED AT MY PLACE AFTER GETTING OUT OF IT AROUND 8:30AM. I RETURNED TO MY VEHICLE AT 12PM AND THE INSIDE WAS BURNT BECAUSE A FIRE STARTED IN THE MIDDLE CONSUL.*DT*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,333 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395163 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395702 · 2021-02-11 (February 11, 2021)
WHILE DRIVING, MY 2020 KIA RIO HAS STALLED WHEN ACCELERATING WHILE TURNING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TP PASS A CAR ON INTERSTATE. ALSO SEVERAL TIME WHEN JNUST DRIVING. VERY SCARY FEELING.
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395702 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417988 · 2021-05-21 (May 21, 2021)
my 2020 kia rio pulls to the left. it is not the tires the wheel alignment or the brakes. it has electronic power steering. other 2020 kia rios built after mine were fixed with a download. the car is dangerous so i drive in the right lane.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418755 · 2021-05-27 (May 27, 2021)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11418755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425950 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that he was a former service technician and that while driving and stopping at a stoplight, the traffic light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle idled and stalled for a few seconds before inadvertently accelerating and crashing into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently on several occasions. The contact attempted to take the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected however, the dealer was unable to in…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,714 miles reported. Look up ODI 11425950 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.
21V936000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 2021-12-01 (December 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗