2018 Kia Rio
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 16 of 28 complaints (57%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 31 in 2017 to 28 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,100 | 2,000–2,100 | 1,950 | 1,950 | 1,750 | |
| Combined MPG | 30–31 | 30–31 | 32 | 32 | 36 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 27 / 36 | 27 / 36 | 28–29 / 37 | 28–29 / 37 | 33 / 41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 286–290 | 286–292 | 277–280 | 278–280 | 249 | |
| Complaints filed | 77 | 31 | 28 | 21 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
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 2018 Kia Rio have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2018 Kia Rio?
Engine: 16 of 28 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Rio get?
EPA rates it 32 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Kia Rio?
EPA estimates $1,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| 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 | 28 mpg (low) | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 280 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 29 mpg (high) | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 277 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 16 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH · Campaign 21V622000 · Aug 10, 2021
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.