2022 Kia Rio Safety Report
2022 KIA RIO Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Kia Rio
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 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 (10) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | 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 | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Kia Rio with 12 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Rio | 12 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Rio | 15 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Kia Rio | 26 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Kia Rio | 19 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Rio | 24 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Kia Rio | 28 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2022 Kia Rio Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 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
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyLatches/Locks/Linkages
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Kia onlyBack Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Kia onlyEngine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Kia onlyVisibility/Wiper
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Kia Rio
Reliability Score
The 2022 Kia Rio receives a reliability score of 87 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 2022 Kia Rio
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Kia Rio:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Column Issue Kia is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles due to a bolt in the steering column that can cause an abnormally loud bang. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Automatic Window Malfunction The automatic window mechanism may not stop when lightly engaged, leading to unexpected window movement. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rearview Camera Malfunction The rearview camera may intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Knocking Noise A knocking noise from the engine may be heard when the car is running, but the source cannot be determined. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Kia Rio:
Steering issues, including a steering column bolt causing a loud bang, are a common problem.
Recall Details for the 2022 Kia Rio
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Kia Rio by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Kia Rio
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Kia Rio with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormally loud bang and believed that the vehicle had been struck in the rear by an object. The contact opened the trunk and became aware that the trunk shocks had become detached from the latch. The contact was able to open and close the trunk lid, but the lid failed to remain open aft...
While attempting to raise the passenger side window slightly, the automatic window mechanism malfunctioned. Instead of stopping when lightly engaged, the window rolled all the way up and trapped my right wrist between the glass and the frame. When I pressed the window down button, the window continued to roll upward, increasing the pressure on my wrist. I was unable to release my hand on my own an...
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the rearview camera would intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), the camera would intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Recently, the contact stated that the rear-view camera had failed to operate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact...
When my car is running it makes a knocking noise from engine I have taken it th the dealer they heard it but said they can figure out where it's coming from. The engine runs hotter than normal. The rods I think are the cause
When traveling 60 mph and slowing to try to stop, brake pedal went all the way to the floor and vehicle would not brake. Had to engage emergency brake to stop vehicle during normal operation on multiple occasions. Once while stopped at a red light, vehicle was completely stopped, then the brake pedal lowered to the floorboard and the vehicle started rolling forward. I had to turn the steering wh...
The windshield wipers only work consistently on the last two settings. When you push the wiper gear down to the initial setting where you can adjust the speed with the dial, it struggles to move or doesn’t move at all. I can hear the wiper gear trying to lift the wipers, but nothing happens.
This is neither a failure nor a malfunction but on several occasions I have had the light switch turn off at night while driving. I can reach over and push a button to the left of the steering wheel under the ac/heat vent and in doing so my arm has rolled the headlight switch off. I have to hurry up and turn them back on. The switch should lock somewhat in place as to take a purposeful twist fo...
Issue 1) Power steering wheel stopped working after practicing parking in preparation for a drivers test. Issue 2) Fuel indicator did not worked as expected, takes 3 to 5 min (in motion) to get the indicator in the right position. I took the vehicle to the dealership, it was scanned and according to them, no DTC was stored, I got videos when both issues came up.
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
Vehicle pulls hard to left since purchased. Had in shop 3 times, but problem still exists. It was aligned and rechecked. Tires were switched on the front (by another shop) and it still has issues of pulling. Dealership refuses to diagnose the trouble, except for the front end alignment and says they voided last repair order (because they did nothing). Took to another shop and they went throug...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Kia Rio
Has the 2022 KIA RIO been recalled?
Yes, the 2022 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 2022 KIA RIO have?
The 2022 KIA RIO has 10 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2022 KIA RIO?
The 2022 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 2022 KIA RIO?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 KIA RIO involve unknown or other (2 complaints), latches/locks/linkages (1 complaints), back over prevention (1 complaints). Other affected components include engine, service brakes, visibility/wiper.
How many crash reports does the 2022 KIA RIO have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2022 KIA RIO out of 10 total complaints (20.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2022 KIA RIO have?
There are no fire reports for the 2022 KIA RIO in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 KIA RIO?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA RIO.
How many injuries are reported for the 2022 KIA RIO?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA RIO. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2022 KIA RIO?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 KIA RIO is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 10 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2022 KIA RIO?
The components with the most failures on the 2022 KIA RIO are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2 complaints), 2. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1 complaints), 3. BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints), 4. ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 2 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2022 KIA RIO?
Be cautious of steering column issues and automatic window malfunctions. Consider the recall if you own a 2021-2022 Rio or Forte. The 2022 KIA RIO has 10 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2022 KIA RIO?
The 2022 KIA RIO receives a reliability score of 87/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 10 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering column issue and Automatic window malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2022 KIA RIO?
Known issues with the 2022 KIA RIO include: Steering column issue, Automatic window malfunction, Rearview camera malfunction, Engine knocking noise. These are based on patterns found across 10 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common steering issues in the 2022 KIA RIO?
A bolt in the steering column can cause an abnormally loud bang, and the automatic window mechanism may not stop when lightly engaged.
Is the rearview camera reliable?
It may intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds, so it's not always reliable.
What should I do if I experience engine knocking noise?
Take it to the dealer for inspection, as the source of the noise cannot be determined.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering column issues and automatic window malfunctions. Consider the recall if you own a 2021-2022 Rio or Forte.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Kia Rio
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Kia Rio. The data includes 10 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 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