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Vehicle safety record

2020 Kia Rio Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2020 Kia Rio with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (5) and the engine & cooling (5). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injury and 3 deaths. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in December 2021 for the master cylinder. For comparison, the 2019 has 22 and the 2021 has 15.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Rio year, for its age

#107 most complained-about 2020 vehicle

Complaints
27
Recalls
1
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
1
Deaths
3

Most common 2020 Kia Rio problems

Share of all 27 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2020 Kia Rio recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Service brakes: master cylinder

21V93600087 vehicles affected

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

What owners say

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27 complaints about the 2020 Kia Rio

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Electrical systemSeats & seat belts

My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that initiated the fire has not yet been determined. Based on the circumstances, I am concerned about a possible vehicle...

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electrical or mechanical failure, but I do not want to speculate as to the cause without investigation reports. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a salvage/inspection facility. I am currently determining whether it remains available for inspection. Safety risk: The vehicle caught fire while parked without an apparent external cause. The fire became extensive enough to destroy the passenger compartment and vehicle. This created a significant fire hazard to nearby vehicles, property, and people. Had the vehicle been parked in a garage or other enclosed area, or had someone been inside or near the vehicle when the fire began, the potential consequences could have been severe. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem has not been reproduced by a Kia dealer or independent repair facility. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and declared a total loss. Inspections: Boise Fire Department responded to the vehicle fire. Progressive Insurance subsequently inspected/handled the vehicle and classified the loss as a non-collision total burn/total loss. I have requested the complete Boise Fire Department records and additional records from Progressive concerning any investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Kia has not yet inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. Warnings/symptoms before the fire: There were no warning lights, messages, smoke, unusual odors, electrical problems, noises or any other symptoms I was aware of. No after market electronics or anything.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Seats · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11760758
Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11725043
Brakes

Upon stopping at a red light and or stop sign, when applying brakes, the car continues to move forward, even after pumping the brakes. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a certified auto mechanic. The findings and recommendation for the Brake Master Cylinder to be the reason the vehicle continues to creep forward, when brake are applied and held. This issue has on two separate occasions near collision, because the vehicle wouldn't stop.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11690648
Transmission & drivetrain

I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11665742
Electrical systemFire

I went into a rural King store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door frame of the passenger side of the front seat where the wiring is there was a whole melted all the way through that panel and you could see the wiring was exposed so I assume that the wiring had caught on fire. I'm not sure...

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about this it has been looked at and it is at Jeff Wilder Toyota in Clarksville Indiana. They want me to pay $1,000 deductible for this but I feel like if it was a wiring issue key is should be responsible. I am going through a flood right now in my home and now I have to deal with that and I don't think I'm even responsible for the payment I think he is at the cover it.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11653010
Electrical systemFire

I came out of a store last week and there was smoke inside my car and when I opened the door there was a hole down by the door frame on the passenger side that it burned all the way through to the frame of the car and now my lights are flashing on and off and sometimes a passenger headlight works sometimes the driver had light works but it's either one or the other it's doing all kinds of crazy stuff with the lights now I'm thinking it has to be in the electrical fire because it got hot enough to melt all the way through the plastic part of the bottom of my door I do have pictures

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11647263
Engine & cooling

Recall SC223 Brake master cylinder. Rough metal edges can pinatrate Seals causing leaks poor braking functionality. NHTSA Capaign ID# 21V936000. Nov.30th.2021, 87 vehicles effected. Clay Cooley kia refused to honor the recall and fix the problem with my vehicle on 10/25/2024. Recall on the catalytic converters. Recall SC176 , Carbon monoxide poisoning due to exhaust systems malfunctioning and exhaust coming through the AC system. When I took my 2020 Rio S to Vanguard Kia Arlington Texas. Vanguard kia refused to...

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honor the recall because my vehicle had over 80,000 miles and that's why Vanguard Kia service advisors wouldn't replace the catalytic converters. Or Vanguard kia would have replaced them! Even though it was a Safety issue. My wife and I recently was admitted to Parkland hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning levels of tests taken at the hospital blood gas tests were above level 9 for carbon monoxide poisoning. My level was 13. So now we're having to drive our 2020 rio s with the windows down and the ac vents closed. To keep from getting carbon monoxide poisoning again!! Please help us get these 2 SAFETY RECALL ISSUES FIXED. We cannot afford it out of pocket. Kia Should honor their recalls. vehicle owners.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11622150
Engine & cooling

When I first purchased the car less than 90 days the engine light came on rook back to the dealership and notified Kia they didn't know why the engine light came on they said just drive it then I later told then engine light came on again and it act to over heat they said they had no signs when they did a diagnostic test they. I reported when the ac is on the engine light comes on and the car hesitates as if to stall they still saying they see nothing to indicate any problems there is problems also the back up...

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camera stopped working the Kia customer service representative suggested to take it to another dealership the car has been to 2 different dealerships Langdale Kia Valdosta Georgia and Roundtree Moore Lake city Florida

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11545350
SteeringTransmission & drivetrainBrakes

I believe my Kia Rio S falls victim to the recall 2020 Kia Rio models have faced. Brake performance has been severely degraded on my vehicle over the past few weeks despite doing all recommended maintenance. When I first got my 2020 Kia Rio S I could brake with 5% pressure applied to the brakes, now it takes about 25-30% pressure and it seemingly is increasing every day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they advised me it would be a $2000 service charge minimum.

Filed Incident Steering · Power train · Service brakesNHTSA 11543523
Steering

My vehicle driver rear window was broken, steer column and stolen case # [[redacted]] I also own a vin # [[redacted]] and [[redacted]] . Please contact me [[redacted]] [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Steering · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11542585
Other & unknown

My car acted like it haD a dead battery. This happened once before and after about 10 minutes when I tried starting it it started with no problems. this happened a couple of months the ago. This time, as I was sitting in the car the seat belt light came on but I couldn't wait for the issue to resolve.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11537330
Engine & cooling

I was driving at just over 20,000 miles, when cylinder 4 decided to go out of the bottom of my engine. They had to put a completely brand new motor in my car. So, what's stopping it from doing it again. There's other cars listed in a Kia/Hyundai settlement, but the Kia Ria is not listed.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11533629
SteeringSuspension

There has not been an incident yet but i don't know who else to talk to. I am a FedEx Delivery driver and driver the largest Delivery truck made for FedEx and am fine with it ask day. However, the steering on my car is down right dangerous. My car drifts all over the road. It is ten times harder to keep my little cat on the road than my big work truck. So hard in fact that i have resorted to this. I am a good driver never even a ticket so i know how to drive. It's not my driving please listen when i tell you something is WAY wrong with the steering or suspension or both on this vehicle. Just drive one and you will see very quickly what i am saying i promise!

Filed Incident Steering · SuspensionNHTSA 11521447
Lights

The Passenger Headlight has water inside it, and water vapor. The connections for the light blubs is corroding.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11486648
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated the vehicle was parked at her residence, when entering inside the cab, she noticed the gear shaft was melted. The contact stated she did not visibly see fire. The police did come to her residence and informed the cause of the fire was an electronic failure but they do not file any fire reports. The contact did not contact the fire department. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed back to her residence. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11464361
Acceleration & cruise controlWheels & tiresEngine & coolingCrashFire3 deaths

Yes my son bought this car last year I have been checking since January there has still been no recalls on his particular car he was in a car accident and unfortunately him and his passengers were all killed. I have contacted an attorney who has sent an inspector they said initial look it look like something to do with a rod in the engine and it catching fire but from other things it's possible he could've had other problems dealing with the brakes the emergency assistance. So they think possible electrical and...

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what else they have not said. They are getting with Kia to get his car moved there so they can have one of their people take it apart to preserve evidence to find out which or if many of the recalls had happened to his more happened to his car

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Wheels · EngineNHTSA 11462852
Electrical systemLights

marker lights on the right side won't work both went off line and licence light same side is out same time and bulbs ,fuse replaced and still not working the kia service will not fix in kia of manharttan in kansas andi have 68,000 miles and they didn't offer a basic warrantty to be long when online for my my car and suppose to be under warranty for 110;00

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11446245
Airbags

Rear ended a car at 60 mph on black ice and the air bags did not deploy

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11445666
Other & unknown

My Kia Rio 2020 had the check engine light come on today. The engine coolant temperature gauge went all the way to the Hot mark. The car is one year old and and has 60093 miles on it. The dealership Demontrond Kia refused to repair it under warranty. I called Kia corporate and was told the same thing. This is unacceptable. My expectation is that they will repair this issue for no cost. As all maintenance has been done at the dealership. I have not noticed any fluid leaks nor have I been told when at the dealership about any fluid loss.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11426190
Transmission & drivetrainCrash

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...

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however, the dealer was unable to inspect the vehicle for a month. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,714.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11425950
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

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. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 11418755
Steering

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.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11417988
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11395702
Other & unknownFire

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

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11395163
Visibility & wipers

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..

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11391146

Kia Rio: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
202312000Engine & coolingA
202212120Driver assistanceB
202115220SteeringA
202027135Electrical systemC
201922141Engine & coolingB
201828132Engine & coolingB
201731236Engine & coolingB
201680286Engine & coolingD
All Rio years

2020 Kia Rio vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2020 Kia Rio

Does the 2020 Kia Rio have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2020 Kia Rio: master cylinder (December 2021). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Rio?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (5), engine & cooling (5), transmission & drivetrain (5).

How many complaints has the 2020 Kia Rio had?

27 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 25, 2020 and the latest on August 30, 2026. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 5 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 3 deaths.

Is the 2020 Kia Rio a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Kia Rio year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Kia Rio years have the most complaints?

2001 (224), 2013 (153), 2002 (152). See every Kia Rio year compared.

What should I do if my 2020 Kia Rio has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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