The 2021 Kia Rio has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 117 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STEERING22V3040002022-05-0530 affected
Defect
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21V9360002021-12-0187 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6
STEERING
4
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
3
2crashes
ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN
2
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
1
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Steering gear assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.”
“Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Center console display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”
“Center console display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2021 Kia Rio as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.