2023 Kia Rio reliability
The 2023 Kia Rio has 12 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Rio years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
12
4
0
4
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (3 of 12), then Steering (3) and Electrical system (2). The most filings arrived in 2023 (5 of 12).
The 2022 Rio has 11 complaints, 2 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 Kia Rio. How we count. Data as of .
Recalls (0)
No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.
Complaints by component (12 total)
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0
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Complaints filed per year
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
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"Paint peeling. Took a month to have the dealer /warranty repair the roof in July 2025. Then in Sept 2025 have 2 more areas doing the same thing. Reached back out to dealer end of Sept then mid Oct following up find out…"
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"I’ve been hearing this rattle noise mostly when I crank the vehicle. I took it to go get checked out and they heard it when I first brought it in for them to check. But when they got it to the back for mechanic to…"
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"The vehicle has difficulty following a center line, higher than normal steering wheel input is required. Feels like the vehicle is being driven in strong crosswinds at any speed above 55 MPH. The vehicle is very, very…"
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"The contact owns a 2023 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the…"
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"When I started my car, during the warm-up process, it dropped revs and turned off. After several tries, it turned on. While driving, when the vehicle was stopped, it began to jerk slightly. The safety risk is that the…"
NHTSA crash ratings
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2023 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.
Fuel economy
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio | 1.6L, 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-wheel drive | 32 | 41 | 36 MPG | $1800 |
Specs and fitment
Known issues for this generation
NHTSA campaign 21V936000. 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. Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Kia Rio reliable?
The 2023 Kia Rio has 12 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Rio years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.
What are common problems with a 2023 Kia Rio?
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (3 of 12), then Steering (3) and Electrical system (2). The most filings arrived in 2023 (5 of 12).
Is the 2023 Kia Rio more reliable than the years next to it?
The 2022 Rio has 11 complaints, 2 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
Has the 2023 Kia Rio been recalled?
NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2023 Kia Rio.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Kia Rio?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2023 Kia Rio with NHTSA.
What mpg does a 2023 Kia Rio get?
EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 Kia Rio is 36 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.
What oil does a Kia Rio take?
YB (2012-2017) 1.6L Gamma: 5W-20 or 5W-30. YB2 (2018-2023) 1.6L Smartstream: 0W-20. Confirm the manual.
What does NHTSA campaign 21V936000 cover on later Rio?
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.
When did the YB2 Rio generation start?
Model year 2018 (through 2023 on this site).