2019 Kia Rio Safety Report
2019 KIA RIO Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2019 Kia Rio
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2019 Kia Rio. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (19) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Kia Rio with 10 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Kia Rio before buying across this generation. |
Kia Rio Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Rio years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Rio | 26 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Rio | 24 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Rio | 15 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Rio | 28 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Rio | 10 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Kia Rio | 75 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2019 Kia Rio Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2019 Kia Rio, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyAir Bags
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyOther/I Am Not Sure
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Other/I Am Not Sure issues Kia onlyPower Train,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2019 Kia Rio
Reliability Score
The 2019 Kia Rio receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2019 Kia Rio
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2019 Kia Rio:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Failure A rod bearing failure can lead to internal engine damage, causing the engine to lock up and stop functioning. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Airbag Deployment Issues There are reports of airbags not deploying properly in certain incidents, indicating potential safety concerns. |
Medium | Occasional | N/A miles |
| Driver Side Door Latch The driver side door latch may not fully retract, causing the door to be nearly in the open position. |
Low | Common | N/A miles |
| Stolen Vehicle A flaw in the ignition allows thieves to easily start the vehicle with a phone charger, leading to theft. |
High | Common | N/A miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2019 Kia Rio:
Engine issues are a common problem, with 33% of reported issues related to the engine.
Airbag deployment issues account for 17% of reported problems.
Driver side door latch issues are less common, occurring in 8% of reported problems.
Stolen vehicle incidents are rare, occurring in 5% of reported problems.
Recall Details for the 2019 Kia Rio
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2019 Kia Rio by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2019 Kia Rio
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2019 Kia Rio with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
On the morning of October 15th, the oil light of my 2019 Kia Rio came on, immediately followed by extreme engine noise, just before the engine locked. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service center. They checked and reported that all oil had leaked out and motor had locked. I then had vehicle towed to Kia dealer and requested a motor replacement. They not only charged me for a diagnostic test ...
The engine experienced a rod bearing failure resulting in internal engine damage and sudden loss of normal engine operation. The vehicle and failed engine components are currently available for inspection upon request. The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was traveling at high speed on the freeway, resulting in sudden loss of engine power. This created a significant safety risk, as loss ...
360 car seat will not click lock will steady spin around
The oil light flashed in the car once after an oil change, so I took the car back the very next day to the mechanic and he said there was no oil in the car at the time. He filled the car back up with oil, and by the end of the week, the car needed oil again, but no light indicated the car was low on oil. Months went by with constant oil changes and the car needing oil, so the mechanic told me to t...
My car had been broken into and was attempted to be stolen on December 22, 2022. A few months ago, a neighbor left a note on my car stating that someone was looking through the windows suspiciously. Today, December 12, 2023, my car was stolen from a paid for parking garage at my apartment complex with no cameras. The issue should have been resolved considering my boyfriend and co-owner of the vehi...
My car is only 3 years old 70k miles.. I have regularly serviced and never had any issues until all of a sudden I was driving I heard a sound and my hood started smoking. My car quickly came to a stop and wouldn’t turn back on. The engine block threw a rod and left a giant hole in my engine. Kia is refusing to repair and my insurance won’t cover saying this is an engine malfunction. Thank god I wa...
Unknown. I was driving and my car slowed to a stop and started smoking. The engine stopped and I couldn’t restart the car. Kia says the engine block threw a rod. But they won’t cover saying I don’t have sufficient service records.. I can’t get records from an out of business shop. Insurance won’t cover saying this is a warranty thing. I bought this car brand new cash purchase only a few years ago....
Victim was hit head on by a truck. Victim was going 10-15mph truck faster. Victim was t-boned on the driver side at the front tire. The entire front fender and frame were damaged. Victim sub-stained a bad shoulder injury and ptsd. Air bags did not deploy.
On 09/08/2022 my 2019 Kia Rio was stolen due to a flaw in the ignition that allows thieves to easily start the vehicle with a phone charger. See Baltimore City Police Report 5220902309. A national recall on the Kia models affected would help to end the widespread danger that the thieves are causing as they 'joy-ride' the stolen vehicles. For more information in this issue please see: https://ww...
Unknown of specifics. I was driving up a hill. I heard a loud pop. I pulled off the side of the road. The battery light, oil light, and one other came on. I turned my car off. Tried to start it, again however it sounded like the starter wasn't working. Then smoke started to come out of the car. Within 10 minutes my entire car was consumed in flames. A bystander stated the same thing happened to so...
The driver interior door latch will not fully retract. As a result it is nearly in the open position. With the door latch nearly in the open position, the door could unexpectedly open creating a safety hazard. Kia is unable to determine if this is covered by the warranty without paying a hefty diagnostic fee. There were no prior symptoms before this issue occurred.
No incident's with my vehicle, just need my recall to be complete before i ship my vehicle from LA to Hawaii.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 42 MPH, WHILE IN THE LEFT LANE TO GO STRAIGHT. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE TURNING LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN INSTEAD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE WITH IMPACT. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE OTHER VEHICLE PUSHED THE VEH...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF STOCKTON LOCATED AT (6215 HOLMAN RD, STOCKTON, CA 95212) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE...
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT IT TURNED YELLOW I MASH DOWN ON MY BRAKE IT ENGAGED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND IT GAVE ON ME AND I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE AGAIN I COULD NOT STOP FOR THE LIGHT AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.
STEERING HAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE LEFT.
THE CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN ANY SITES BY KIA. SO HOW I CAN GET ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS OR ANY OTHER ISSUE WITH MY CAR??
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED FROM THE CENTER LANE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, RIGHT FOOT, AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYE...
THE CAR DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2019 Kia Rio
Has the 2019 KIA RIO been recalled?
Yes, the 2019 KIA RIO has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2019 KIA RIO have?
The 2019 KIA RIO has 19 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2019 KIA RIO?
The 2019 KIA RIO does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA RIO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2019 KIA RIO involve unknown or other (4 complaints), engine (3 complaints), air bags (3 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,engine, other/i am not sure, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2019 KIA RIO have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2019 KIA RIO out of 19 total complaints (21.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2019 KIA RIO have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2019 KIA RIO out of 19 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2019 KIA RIO?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 KIA RIO.
How many injuries are reported for the 2019 KIA RIO?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2019 KIA RIO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2019 KIA RIO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2019 KIA RIO is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 19 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2019 KIA RIO?
The components with the most failures on the 2019 KIA RIO are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 2. ENGINE (3 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (3 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (2 complaints), 5. OTHER/I AM NOT SURE (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 4 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2019 KIA RIO?
Be cautious of engine issues and airbag deployment problems. Ensure the recall for the driver side door latch is completed before shipping. The 2019 KIA RIO has 19 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2019 KIA RIO?
The 2019 KIA RIO receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 19 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Failure and Airbag Deployment Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2019 KIA RIO?
Known issues with the 2019 KIA RIO include: Engine Failure, Airbag Deployment Issues, Driver Side Door Latch, Stolen Vehicle. These are based on patterns found across 19 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common engine issues with the 2019 KIA RIO?
Common engine issues include rod bearing failures leading to internal engine damage.
Are there any known airbag deployment issues with the 2019 KIA RIO?
Yes, there are reports of airbags not deploying properly in certain incidents.
What should I do if my 2019 KIA RIO has a driver side door latch issue?
Contact Kia for a recall to address the driver side door latch issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of engine issues and airbag deployment problems. Ensure the recall for the driver side door latch is completed before shipping.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2019 Kia Rio
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2019 Kia Rio. The data includes 19 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16