2016 Kia Rio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 41 of 77 complaints (53%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 52 in 2015 to 77 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,100 | 2,000–2,100 | 2,000–2,100 | 2,000–2,100 | 1,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 30–31 | 30–31 | 30–31 | 30–31 | 32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 27 / 36 | 27 / 36 | 27 / 36 | 27 / 36 | 28–29 / 37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 286–291 | 286–292 | 286–290 | 286–292 | 277–280 | |
| Complaints filed | 52 | 52 | 77 | 31 | 28 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 4 | 7 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Rio have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Rio?
Engine: 41 of 77 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates it 30–31 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Kia Rio?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 286 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 30 mpg (low) | $2,100 (high) | 290 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg | 36 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 287 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 23V652000 · Sep 26, 2023
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH · Campaign 23V594000 · Aug 25, 2023
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.