Kia Rio

Engine power and kerb weight are registration-weighted averages across the 4 EU/EEA countries that registered the Kia Rio in 2025 (921 cars). Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).

Engine power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the power of the combustion engine, not the system power, and for electric cars it can differ from the peak power the manufacturer advertises.

New registrations in Norway

Number of Kia Rio registered for the first time in Norway per year.

Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).

Power by engine variant (Norway)

91 Kia Rio cars registered for the first time in Norway in 2019–2020, by drivetrain and type-approved engine power. The EEA data has no trim names, so variants are told apart by power.

Plus 1 variant with fewer than 10 cars (3 cars in total).

Power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the combustion engine, not the system output; for electric cars it can differ from the peak power in the maker’s marketing. Kerb weight is the average for the variant. Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), one record per car (the years EEA lists twice, 2019 to 2021, are counted once).

New registrations by country (2025)

Number of Kia Rio cars registered for the first time across 5 European countries in 2025.

Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), 2025 data.

Other Kia models

Common problems & reliability

US owners have filed 279 complaints for the Kia Rio, most often about engine, unknown or other, electrical system, service brakes. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy. In the UK, 76% of Kia Rios pass their MOT test first time, based on 98,203 inspections in 2023. (2023 is the most recent annual release published by the DfT.)

Based on real owner complaints and inspection data, not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain), DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).

Recalls & safety

3 recall campaigns recorded in the EU Safety Gate (European market) and 5 in the US-market NHTSA database for the Kia Rio. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.

• Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)

  The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-01-10

• Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)

  Although appearing to engage, the child lock may not engage.

  EU Safety Gate · alerted 2018-05-11

• Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Germany)

  The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

  EU Safety Gate · alerted 2025-02-14

• STEERING:COLUMNUS · NHTSAModel years 2021–2022

  Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

  Remedy: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

  NHTSA campaign 22V304000 · reported 05/05/2022

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDERUS · NHTSAModel years 2020–2021

  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.

  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 21V936000 · reported 01/12/2021

• LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel years 2018–2019

  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."

  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 21V622000 · reported 09/08/2021

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEUS · NHTSAModel years 2015–2017

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

  Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

  NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported 25/09/2023

• LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCHUS · NHTSAModel years 2016–2017

  Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, 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."

  Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

  NHTSA campaign 23V594000 · reported 24/08/2023

Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Kia recalls.