2021 Kia Rio problems
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Common 2021 Kia Rio problems
The Kia Rio 2021 has been reported to have several common problems, based on complaints from owners of this car. Here are some of the issues and their details:
- Bumpy Ride: Early models of the Rio had constant issues with the suspension, and it's possible that the suspension on your 2021 Rio has worn out. Replacing a suspension system is a significant job, but there are online guides available to help you through the process.
- Illuminated ABS Light: If the ABS warning light is lit up on your dashboard, it's likely that the sensor on the back wheel that's attached to the bearing has broken. This is a common issue with the Rio, but it's an easy fix and replacement sensors are readily available.
- Excessive Vibration: If your car is vibrating a lot, the steering is weaker, and some of your tires are wearing out quickly, the rear shock rubber mounting has likely failed. You'll need to order replacement units from a parts list and check the rear wheel bearings as well.
- Engine Misfire: The Rio is known for going through spark plugs quickly, so if your engine is misfiring and idling roughly, the cause is likely the spark plugs. It's also worth checking the spark plug wiring as it may have also been damaged.
- Fuel Leak: A cracked inlet nipple on the fuel distribution rack can cause fuel to leak from the car and onto the road. This is a serious issue that can lead to a fire, and it caused a recall for Kia. You'll need to order a distribution rail and fuel supply pipe from a parts list to resolve the issue.
- Noisy Power Steering: If your power steering is noisy, it's likely that the power steering pump is failing. This is a common issue with the Rio, and it's recommended to replace the pump as soon as possible.
- Stalling: If your Rio is stalling, it's likely that the fuel filter is clogged or the fuel pump is failing. Both of these issues are common with the Rio, and it's recommended to replace the fuel filter and check the fuel pump as soon as possible.
- Headlight and Brake Light Malfunction: If your headlights or brake lights are malfunctioning, it's likely that the bulbs or the wiring has failed. This is a common issue with the Rio, and it's recommended to replace the bulbs and check the wiring as soon as possible.
These are some of the common problems reported by owners of the Kia Rio 2021. It's important to note that not all Rios will experience these issues, but it's good to be aware of them and take preventative measures to avoid them.
Is 2021 Kia Rio reliable?
Is the Kia Rio a reliable car? It is reliable when its compared against other cars in the market, however compared against other Kia cars, it sits at the bottom and after it comes the New Sportage. You can have quite a few visits to the dealer workshop due to electrical problems.
What is the common problem with Kia Rio?
Transmission issues can plague any vehicle, and the Kia Rio is no exception. Owners have reported issues such as rough shifting, slipping gears, and transmission fluid leaks.
Is there a recall on 2021 Kia Rio?
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. What should you do: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge.
Is the 2021 Kia Rio a safe car?
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
While it doesn't have as much driver-assistance technology as some rivals, the Rio is available with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. However, base models are absent from such equipment.
2021 Kia Rio car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Rio problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Steering problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2021 Kia Rio vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2021 Kia Rio complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Kia Rio.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-14
- VIN: 3KPA24AD5ME
- Components: POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-24
- VIN: 3KPA25AD3ME
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION
- Summary: Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.
SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-14
- VIN: 3KPA24AD4ME
- Components: SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been ordered but they haven’t!!!! No one is following up with me, when I call I get told “until they can get in contact with the dealership Kia the corporate company cannot do anything” have 2 kids Kia the dealership as well as the corporate company knows about this and no one is doing anything!! NO ONE CARES
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-26
- VIN: 3KPA24AD1ME
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: At speeds over 20 miles per hours there is a “flapping” noise that sounds like a bag or piece of paper that is blowing in the wind. Although I don’t know were the noise originates, I can hear it clearly from the driver’s side b-pillar. It is incredibly annoying and greatly diminishes what is otherwise a solid entry, level vehicle.
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-19
- VIN: 3KPA24AD0ME
- Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: On 3/19/23, as I was driving on a dry, straight, two lane road at the posted speed of 40mph, the car began to try to steer into oncoming traffic. I had to exert moderate force to keep the car in my lane. This continued continuously for about 1/2 mile. No low tire pressure indicator lights were illuminated, however the lane assist icon was on and green, indicating normal operation. Just as I was going to turn down a side street to check the tires manually, the steering returned to normal. However, the lane assist icon was now white, and as I drove the remaining approximately 2 miles home, the icon would change from white to green every 20 seconds or so. The car now operates normally. We took the car to the dealer today to be checked and they reported they could not replicate the issue. Attached is their report.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-07
- VIN: 3KPA24ADXME
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The contol post for lights, turn signal, and high beams is too sensitive. To control the lights, you twist the top of lever. To turn on turn signals, you flip the lever up or down. To turn on brights, the lever goes forward. To turn of lights, the lever is pulled back. The issue..... If you have brights on, when you pull lever back to dim lights, the top automatically twists to shut off the headlights entirely. DANGEROUS DANGEROUS DANGEROUS. My husband doesn't have this problem, but he has longer fingers and his fingers hit the lever more at the base where nothing twists. I have shorter women's fingers and they can't reach all the way down the lever. I have since adjusted how I dim the brights by reacing under the lever, (close to steering column), to pull the lever back. This is very uncomfortable and tends to cause me to make the turn signal come on, which could cause its own traffic accident. My remedy would be to make the headlights twist in the opposite direction for on off, or make the switch for headlights have a little more resistance.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-28
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3kpa24ad1me
- Components: STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Having been complaining about a noise from under the front right tire, I was initially told it was a little piece of plastic and that got cut off. I was still hear the scraping and squealing and I kept check the from right tire because I thought that's where it was coming from. I mentioned this to every mechanic at kia and was told "that's just how 2021s sound". Finally after months of complaining the noise got louder and you could hear it was clearly something in steering. They schedules an appointment for Dec 7th on Mon Nov 28th. Said it was safe to drive when that night while working I was turning a corner, I heard a loud spring noise, the tire and wheel jerked. It was snowing, so the car slide, only sliding into the curb. The front right break seemed to be locked and when you turn the steering wheel makes even more noise. Haven't been told the issue, but I'm certain it is not safe and definitely shouldn't be on the streets until it's fixed.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-16
- VIN: 3KPA25AD3ME
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I had driven my wife to her school about 5 miles and headed back to my work another 5 miles when i tried to accelerate pass car I lost almost all power barely making it up a slight hill I kept going trying to make it to my house barely going 10 miles an hour. I thought the transmission had let go cause while I had the gas peddle floored i went at best 10-15 miles an hour I eventually parked the car I knew it would never make it up another slight hill. It was rowed to a nearby dealer where they could find no problem telling me it was just some bad gas. This sounds like what I read about today with a couple of other models of Kia.
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-11
- VIN: 3kpa25ad0me
- Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The steering wheel column does not have a lock therefore someone broke into my car and tried to steal it and destroyed it, also no alarm went off when this happened.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-17
- VIN: 3KPA25Ad1ME
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving 60-70 miles an hour for 45 minutes then car lost all acceleration and engine light came on. I pulled over immediately turned the car off. Turned it back on drove 1/4 of a mile and same thing happened. I pulled over turned car off and had it towed to the dealership.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-17
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3KPA24AD1ME
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Vehicle failed to reduce speed effectively while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle during a left turn, which then caused the vehicle to turn widely and collide with the curb.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-11
- VIN: 3kpa25ad5me
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle has less than 4000 miles and throttle body had to be replaced
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-07-23
- VIN: 3KPA24AD3ME
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: On the way to work, I had the brake pedal pressed waiting for a traffic signal to change. After it changed to green, I released the brake pedal and depressed the gas pedal, only for the vehicle not to move forward - as if the brake was still being applied. I took my foot off the gas pedal, waited a second or two, then tried the gas pedal again and it still did not move. I was at the traffic signal for nearly 10 seconds with nothing touching the brake pedal and unable to drive forward. The vehicle did not turn off, display any warning lights, or any signs of other trouble. The parking brake was not applied and the vehicle was in Drive. After putting the vehicle in reverse and back into drive while still stopped at the traffic signal, the car resumed normal operation. The vehicle has less than 200 miles, bought brand new from the dealership a few days prior and has only gone for a car wash at the dealership aside from normal daily commute. The problem has not been reported to the dealership or manufacturer at the time of this report.
2021 Kia Rio recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2021 Kia Rio.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: STEERING:COLUMN
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2021 Kia Rio car reviews
Positive 2021 Kia Rio car reviews
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I purchased my little zippy back in April 2021, and even though I have only driven it for 2,700 miles, I absolutely love driving it. I call it little zippy because when I push the sport button, I have all the power I need on the highway or city streets. It's a fun little car to drive, even though there isn't much room in the back for storage. Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that since I don't have any little ones. The dealership where I bought it allows me to get a free car wash anytime I want, which is fantastic! Additionally, the great mileage I get out of it is impressive. I'm already considering getting a new Kia Forte when they become available.
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Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with this car. It's been a great choice for my daily commute, as it saves me a lot of money on gas compared to my pickup truck. I drive about 36 miles every day, and during the summer months, I get an average of 44mpg when I don't let the car idle and warm up. In the winter, when I let it warm up for 5 or 10 minutes, I still get an impressive 39mpg. Of course, the car is not without its flaws - it's a bit small and cheaply made, but for a brand new car under 17 grand, it's definitely worth it. If you're looking for a reliable and fuel-efficient car for your daily commute, I highly recommend this one!
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Hey there! I hope you're okay after your accident in the rain. I'm glad to hear that the side bags deployed and saved your life. It's always tough to say goodbye to a car, but I'm happy to hear that you'll be getting the same model, just newer. Take care!
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This little gem has plenty of power. It's really fun to drive and everything is easily accessible for the driver. Although, my wife wishes that the driver's seat had more vertical rise.
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I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your 2020 Kia Rio! It sounds like it's been a reliable and efficient car for you. I'm impressed by the great gas mileage you're getting on your trips from Florida to Detroit Michigan, and even in town you're still getting an impressive 38 MPG. That's fantastic!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2021 Kia Rio problems:
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2021 Kia Sorento transmission problems : r/kia
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2021 Kia Rio Reliability - Consumer Reports
Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Read ...
2020 Kia Rio IVT Transmission: Explained & Common Problems
Nov 20, 2021 ... I have a 2020 Kia Rio 1.6 ltr with a IVT automatic transmission. The car has only 23k miles on it. When I purchased it, - Answered by a ...
Other years of Kia Rio
Are you having problems with your 2021 Kia Rio?
Damian Dickinson 2024-10-15
The car has a great gas mileage, as I was able to get almost 55 mpg on the highway during my drive from STL to Frankfort KY. However, I cannot recommend purchasing this car until the immobilizer problem is fixed, as it has been stolen twice due to the alarm system not being connected to the rear windows. The thieves were able to easily smash the windows and steal the car. It is important to prioritize safety and security when making a purchase like this.
Russel Davis 2024-06-04
I recently purchased the 2020 model, and while the trunk space is decent, the back seat is quite small. I've only driven it four times, and it was full on each occasion, but it still had more than half a tank of gas left. I do appreciate the sporty look of the car, especially in the blue color. However, I don't think I'll be purchasing this model again and will instead go back to the Kia Forte. The Forte rides great and is low to the ground. I'm also a bit confused about the advertised 52.0 mpg, which I don't think is accurate. I plan to fill up the tank when it's empty to get a better idea of the actual cost. For reference, it only cost $25.00 to fill up the Forte. I'll check back in a month to see how things are going.
Woodrow Balistreri 2024-03-04
I'm a bit confused as to why the manufacturer would put weak rims, flabby little tires, and tiny shocks that don't absorb any potholes on such a fast and sporty little car. In my opinion, 15-inch rims are the perfect size to fit right inside of a pothole and bend with perfect triangles in the rims. However, the car is otherwise awesome. One major flaw I left out is that when you open up the trunk after it rains or you wash your car, all the water jumps right into your trunk onto your carpet. This is a major flaw for a 2020 model and shouldn't have made it through. Another issue is that there is an option between good headlights and poor headlights, which shouldn't be the case. Quality should always come first, especially when it comes to safety. If you can't see, you can't drive. Overall, I believe that the manufacturer should prioritize quality and safety over anything else.
Hazle Miller 2024-03-02
I recently purchased a 2020 Reo and noticed that it lacks some safety features that I was expecting. While it may not be a big deal to some, I was surprised to find out that the doors do not automatically lock when driving, and the dome light does not dim down when entering the car. As someone who commutes in the dark, these features are important to me. Interestingly, my manual states that the car locks when put in drive and that the dome light has a 30-second delay, but unfortunately, the dealership confirmed that this is not the case. These are just a few things to keep in mind when considering the 2020 Reo.
Lorenzo Bernhard 2024-01-19
It can be really tough to keep your vehicle on the road when it's windy.