The 2016 Kia Rio is associated with 77 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 19 reports (25% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 3 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 30 to 31 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 77 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (19 / 25%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 7 crash / 5 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 30–31 MPG (3 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Rio Eco | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Rio | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 31 MPG | — | $2,000 / yr |
| Rio | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 MPG | 36 MPG | 30 MPG | — | $2,050 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 4 DR FWD | | | | | 11.600000000000001% |
| 5 HB FWD | | | | | 11.600000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Kia Rio models.
View complete 2016 Kia Rio crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Kia Rio problems & component breakdown (30 categories) →
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Kia Rio recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →