Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2022 KIA RIO with NHTSA between 2023 and 2026.
The largest single group is the other & unspecified.
Across this model's run it ranks 21 of 23 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 10
Against the median year of the KIA RIO. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2022 KIA RIO
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
320.0%
Doors, Latches & Locks
213.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 69,000 mi
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
213.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 72,000 mi
Brakes
213.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
16.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Lights
16.7%
Body & Structure
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Steering
16.7%
Engine & Cooling
16.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2023peak 3Aug 2026
Recalls on the 2022 KIA RIO
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20222386 units in Canada
Steering
Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the bolt connecting the lower steering column universal joint may not have been properly tightened. If the bolt loosens, you could lose steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create a risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and tighten the lower steering column universal joint bolt, as necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Euless, TX1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While attempting to raise the passenger side window slightly, the automatic window mechanism malfunctioned. Instead of stopping when lightly engaged, the window rolled all the way up and trapped my right wrist between the glass and the frame. When I pressed the window down button, the window continued to roll upward, increasing the pressure on my wrist. I was unable to release my hand on my own and had to call for assistance to pry my wrist free. This put my safety at risk by causing a crush injury to my wrist. The vehicle’s anti-pinch safety feature did not activate. The issue has not yet been reproduced or inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. No warning lights, messages, or other indicators were displayed prior to the incident. The component is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11683479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSan Diego, CACrash
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the rearview camera would intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), the camera would intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Recently, the contact stated that the rear-view camera had failed to operate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the head unit would need to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and was given an estimate for the repair. As a result of the camera failure, the contact stated that while backing out of a parking spot, she crashed into a parked vehicle located in her blind spot. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed; however, the contact did state that she suffered mental anguish as a result of the incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11665837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, PACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
NHTSA complaint #11505599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, PACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
NHTSA complaint #11505599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Mt. Vernon, KY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My ABS system goes in and out making my breaks really unsafe especially going downhill. Cruise control goes at whatever speed it wants. I set it for 73 on the interstate which has a speed limit of 70 and I look down and my car is SET to 73 BUT my actual gage is going up into the 80's! I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in reverse my screen goes off. I rely on my screen to hear my phone calls because I'm deaf & I also have dementia so it's mandatory that I can see my map in my car to know where I'm going. Sometimes I don't remember my way home. That's how important it is. Please look into these. Thank you Concerned customer. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mt. Vernon, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
My ABS system goes in and out making my breaks really unsafe especially going downhill. Cruise control goes at whatever speed it wants. I set it for 73 on the interstate which has a speed limit of 70 and I look down and my car is SET to 73 BUT my actual gage is going up into the 80's! I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in reverse my screen goes off. I rely on my screen to hear my phone calls because I'm deaf & I also have dementia so it's mandatory that I can see my map in my car to know where I'm going. Sometimes I don't remember my way home. That's how important it is. Please look into these. Thank you Concerned customer. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mt. Vernon, KY
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My ABS system goes in and out making my breaks really unsafe especially going downhill. Cruise control goes at whatever speed it wants. I set it for 73 on the interstate which has a speed limit of 70 and I look down and my car is SET to 73 BUT my actual gage is going up into the 80's! I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in reverse my screen goes off. I rely on my screen to hear my phone calls because I'm deaf & I also have dementia so it's mandatory that I can see my map in my car to know where I'm going. Sometimes I don't remember my way home. That's how important it is. Please look into these. Thank you Concerned customer. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesAustin, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormally loud bang and believed that the vehicle had been struck in the rear by an object. The contact opened the trunk and became aware that the trunk shocks had become detached from the latch. The contact was able to open and close the trunk lid, but the lid failed to remain open after being raised. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact that the trunk latch spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the spring and latch mechanism were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11723220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Euless, TX1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While attempting to raise the passenger side window slightly, the automatic window mechanism malfunctioned. Instead of stopping when lightly engaged, the window rolled all the way up and trapped my right wrist between the glass and the frame. When I pressed the window down button, the window continued to roll upward, increasing the pressure on my wrist. I was unable to release my hand on my own and had to call for assistance to pry my wrist free. This put my safety at risk by causing a crush injury to my wrist. The vehicle’s anti-pinch safety feature did not activate. The issue has not yet been reproduced or inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. No warning lights, messages, or other indicators were displayed prior to the incident. The component is available for inspection upon request.
NHTSA complaint #11683479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesSan Diego, CACrash
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the rearview camera would intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), the camera would intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Recently, the contact stated that the rear-view camera had failed to operate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the head unit would need to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and was given an estimate for the repair. As a result of the camera failure, the contact stated that while backing out of a parking spot, she crashed into a parked vehicle located in her blind spot. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed; however, the contact did state that she suffered mental anguish as a result of the incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
NHTSA complaint #11665837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanford, FL
ENGINE
When my car is running it makes a knocking noise from engine I have taken it th the dealer they heard it but said they can figure out where it's coming from. The engine runs hotter than normal. The rods I think are the cause
NHTSA complaint #11644932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mansfield, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
When traveling 60 mph and slowing to try to stop, brake pedal went all the way to the floor and vehicle would not brake. Had to engage emergency brake to stop vehicle during normal operation on multiple occasions. Once while stopped at a red light, vehicle was completely stopped, then the brake pedal lowered to the floorboard and the vehicle started rolling forward. I had to turn the steering wheel and engage the emergency brake to avoid colliding with traffic. No dashboard lights came on, no warning lamps or messages. No other symptoms. I went to the Kia Dealership immediately. There was a hole in my front brake line and all of the fluid had leaked out. Vehicle was less than 2 years old, less than 100,000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11624698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hope Mills, NC
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield wipers only work consistently on the last two settings. When you push the wiper gear down to the initial setting where you can adjust the speed with the dial, it struggles to move or doesn’t move at all. I can hear the wiper gear trying to lift the wipers, but nothing happens.
NHTSA complaint #11588832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rison, AR
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This is neither a failure nor a malfunction but on several occasions I have had the light switch turn off at night while driving. I can reach over and push a button to the left of the steering wheel under the ac/heat vent and in doing so my arm has rolled the headlight switch off. I have to hurry up and turn them back on. The switch should lock somewhat in place as to take a purposeful twist for it to turn. The headlight switch turns too easy and it could cause an accident at night.
NHTSA complaint #11575186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, IN
STEERING
Issue 1) Power steering wheel stopped working after practicing parking in preparation for a drivers test. Issue 2) Fuel indicator did not worked as expected, takes 3 to 5 min (in motion) to get the indicator in the right position. I took the vehicle to the dealership, it was scanned and according to them, no DTC was stored, I got videos when both issues came up.
NHTSA complaint #11516967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, IN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Issue 1) Power steering wheel stopped working after practicing parking in preparation for a drivers test. Issue 2) Fuel indicator did not worked as expected, takes 3 to 5 min (in motion) to get the indicator in the right position. I took the vehicle to the dealership, it was scanned and according to them, no DTC was stored, I got videos when both issues came up.
NHTSA complaint #11516967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, PACrash
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
NHTSA complaint #11505599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butler, PACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
NHTSA complaint #11505599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belleville, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle pulls hard to left since purchased. Had in shop 3 times, but problem still exists. It was aligned and rechecked. Tires were switched on the front (by another shop) and it still has issues of pulling. Dealership refuses to diagnose the trouble, except for the front end alignment and says they voided last repair order (because they did nothing). Took to another shop and they went through it completely, even test-driving it. Verfied a hard pull to the left. They were the shop that transferred front wheels to correct the problem. It helped somewhat, but still pulling. Now Dealership says it must be the tires and urges us to get help from them.
NHTSA complaint #11503292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.