Kia Rio recalls
15 official safety recalls for the Kia Rio from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.
Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:
- United States: nhtsa.gov/recalls
- United Kingdom: check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk
Brake control unit may overheat
The hydraulic electronic control unit may leak internally and cause an electrical short. In extreme cases it may overheat, creating a risk of an under-bonnet fire. The junction box fuses will be replaced with lower-rated fuses.
Official DVSA recall text
- Component
- Kia HECU Fuse Replacement
- Defect
- The HECU hydraulic electronic control unit of affected vehicles equipped with Anti-lock Brake Systems ABS and Electronic Stability Control ESC could leak internally and cause an electrical short over time. In extreme cases the HECU could overheat with a possible risk of an under bonnet fire.
- Remedy
- The recall will replace the fuses in the junction box with a lower rated version.
HECU may short circuit and cause fire
Park outside: the maker advises parking affected vehicles outdoors, away from buildings, until they are repaired.
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit may experience an electrical short, potentially starting an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. Park outside and away from structures until repaired. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- 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.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Trunk latch may prevent opening from inside
The trunk latch base may crack and prevent the trunk from opening from inside, potentially trapping someone in the trunk compartment and increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the latch base assembly free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
- 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.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Steering column bolt may not be secured
An unsecured bolt may allow the steering column to detach from the steering rack, causing loss of steering control and increasing crash risk. Dealers will tighten the bolt free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- STEERING:COLUMN
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Brake master cylinder may reduce braking performance
Sharp edges in the brake master cylinder may damage its inner oil seal, reducing braking performance and potentially increasing pedal travel or stopping distance. Dealers will replace the master cylinder, free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Defect
- 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.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Trunk latch may prevent inside release
The trunk latch may become damaged and prevent the trunk from opening from inside, potentially trapping someone and increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
- Defect
- 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.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Rear door child locks may not operate
An incorrectly sized release lever cable may stop the rear door child locks operating. A cable of the correct length will be fitted.
Official DVSA recall text
- Component
- CHILD LOCKS ON THE REAR DOORS MAY NOT OPERATE
- Defect
- On some Rio models the child locks on the rear doors may not operate; this is caused by the incorrect length release lever cable being installed.
- Remedy
- Replacement cable of correct length will be fitted to affected vehicles.
Passenger seat occupant sensor mat may crack
The front passenger occupant sensor mat may develop fatigue cracks and stop detecting whether a child is in the seat. The airbag could deploy with a child present, increasing injury risk. Dealers will replace the sensor mat free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
- Defect
- KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.
- Consequence
- AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.
- Remedy
- KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC097.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Rear seatbelt may loosen around some child seats
The automatic locking retractor in the rear outboard seatbelts may disengage when used with certain child seats. If a child seat is not secured properly, its occupant could be injured in a crash. Dealers will replace both rear outboard seatbelt assemblies free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
- Defect
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." WHEN USED WITH CERTAIN CHILD SEATS, THE AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) FUNCTION IN THE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES MAY DISENGAGE.
- Consequence
- IF A CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI-KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- KIARECALL NO. SC064. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Child seat lower anchors may not latch fully
Interference with a metal wire in the rear seat frame may prevent child seat anchors from fully latching onto the lower anchors. A child seat may not be properly installed, risking injury in a crash. Dealers will replace the lower anchors free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- CHILD SEAT
- Defect
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- KIA RECALL NO. SC057.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Wheels may crack and separate
A manufacturing flaw may cause wheels to crack with long-term driving. Cracks can cause noise and vibration; a severe crack could let a wheel separate, causing loss of control and a crash. Dealers will replace all four wheels free of charge.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- WHEELS
- Defect
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING FLAW THAT COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO CRACK UNDER LONG TERM DRIVING FATIGUE. IF CRACKS OCCUR, WHEEL NOISE AND VIBRATION WILL RESULT AND BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME.
- Consequence
- IF THE CRACK IS SEVERE, THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- KIA RECALL NO. SC046.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Fuel rail nipple may crack and leak
The inlet nipple on the fuel distribution rail may crack, causing a fuel leak and fire risk. The distribution rail and fuel supply pipe will be replaced.
Official DVSA recall text
- Component
- POTENTIAL FUEL LEAK
- Defect
- The possibility exists that the inlet nipple on the fuel distribution rail may crack. Should this occur the potential exists for a fuel leak additionally the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Likely to be affected vehicles will be recalled at which time the distribution rail and the fuel supply pipe will be changed.
Fuel distributor nipple may crack or fracture
The fuel distributor's intake nipple may crack or fracture during fuel line removal, if force is applied during assembly, or during engine compartment repairs. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could cause a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- KIA RECALL NO. SC036.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
ABS programming error may reduce braking force
A programming error may reduce braking force at speeds below 40 kmh. The ABS ECM and RDM data will be reprogrammed.
Official DVSA recall text
- Component
- REPROGRAMMING OF ABS ECM
- Defect
- An ABS programming error could cause reduced braking force at speeds under 40 kmh
- Remedy
- Recall affected vehicles and reprogramme ABSECM and RDM data
Fuel distributor may leak
Quality deviations may cause fuel leaks at the fuel distributor assembly, creating a fire risk if fuel meets an ignition source. Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel distributor and fuel connector assemblies.
Official NHTSA recall text
- Component
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, FUEL LEAKS MAY DEVELOP AT THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY BECAUSE OF QUALITY DEVIATIONS.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND FUEL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
- Notes
- CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.