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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual Extended coverage
21 serious complaints of 24, the most about engine (7) and air bags (5); per car on the road, 0.8× this model's usual year.
What owners report
“Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Mar 2025
“As I was driving straight through an intersection of which I had a green light, the vehicle coming the opposite way through the intersection failed to yield and took a left turn hitting me head-on. We were each going between 30-35 miles per hour.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Apr 2020
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage The warranty extension will address failures of the ocs sensor mat as reported by some vehicle owners. Is extending the warranty coverage for the front passenger occupant classification system (ocs) sensor mat for certain 2008-2011 my rio vehicles produced after december 8, 2007 and all 2006-2010… (WTY002DEALERPSM, Jun 2016)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension addresses failures of the ocs sensor mat as reported by some vehicle owners. To that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front passenger occupant classification system (ocs) sensor mat to 15 years with unlimited mileage, starting from the date of first… (WTY002OWNERRIO, Jun 2016)
- Extended coverage q and a: wty002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension (WTY002QA, Jun 2016)
- Extended coverage If the sensor mat is not working properly, the airbag warning light on the cluster will illuminate and dtc(s) b1447, b1448, b1449 and/or b1450 may be stored. Kia is extending the warranty for the ocs sensor mat for the affected vehicles to 15 years / unlimited mileage, starting from the date of… (WTY002BULLETINRI, Jun 2016)
- Repair program tsb: voluntary service campaign - application of additional anti-corrosion material (sc122) - to improve customer satisfaction, kia is launching this bulletin to apply additional anticorrosion protection to various vehicle underbody components of some 2010~2013my soul (am), 2004~2009my spectra… (TSBSC122, Jul 2015)
- Repair program Will be conducting a voluntary service campaign, as a preventative measure, to add additional anti-corrosion material to the underbody of all 2006-2011 my rio, 2004-2009 my spectra, 2006-2010 my optima, 2010-2013 my soul, and 2007-2010 my rondo vehicles originally retailed and/or currently… (DEALERPSC122, Jul 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
24 owner complaints · 0 recalls · EPA combined: 30 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2011
- Starting prices: +$600 (1 trim; hover for each)
- Speakers: 6 → 4 (SX)
2011 Rio trims
| Base | LX | SX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Starting MSRP | $12,295 | $14,995 | $16,095 |
| Powertrain | |||
| Engine | 1.6L DOHC 16V CVVT | 1.6L DOHC 16V CVVT | 1.6L DOHC 16V CVVT |
| Horsepower | 110 hp | 110 hp | 110 hp |
| Torque | 107 lb-ft | 107 lb-ft | 107 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual, overdrive | Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive | Electronically Controlled Automatic with Overdrive |
| Gears | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Drivetrain | Fwd | Fwd | Fwd |
| Size and capability | |||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Trunk | 11.9 cu ft | 11.9 cu ft | 11.9 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 6.1 in | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Length | 167.3 in | 167.3 in | 167.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2,365 lb | 2,403 lb | 2,403 lb |
| Tech | |||
| Apple CarPlay | — | Optional | — |
| Android Auto | — | Optional | — |
| Speakers | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Comfort | |||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth |
| Exterior | |||
| Wheels | 14 in | 14 in + option | 16 in |
Packages and options (14)
| Base | LX | SX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value Package $750 | — | Optional | — |
| Floor Mats | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| 14-Inch Steel Wheels with Center Caps | Standard | — | — |
| 14-Inch Steel Wheels with Full Wheel Covers | — | Standard | — |
| 15-Inch Alloy Wheels | — | Optional | — |
| 16-Inch Alloy Wheels | — | — | Standard |
| Cashmere Beige | — | Optional | — |
| Clear Silver | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Clear White | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Midnight Black | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sapphire Blue | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sunset Orange | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Titanium | — | Optional | — |
| Tropical Red | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp | FWD | 36 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 12 | Unknown or other (5) | Yes |
| 2022 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp | FWD | 36 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 11 | Unknown or other (3) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 120 hp | FWD | 36 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 15 | Unknown or other (6) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 113–130 hp | FWD | 36 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 27 | Unknown or other (8) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available | FWD | 32 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 21 | Unknown or other (8) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 130–138 hp manual available | FWD | 32 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 28 | Engine (15) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 31 | Engine (11) | No |
| 2016 | 1.6L 4-cyl, 138 hp manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 77 | Engine (38) | No |
| 2015 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 52 | Engine (23) | No |
| 2014 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 52 | Engine (24) | No |
| 2013 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 153 | Engine (53) | No |
| 2012 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 31–32 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 54 | Engine (24) | No |
| 2011 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 24 | Engine (7) | No |
| 2010 | 1.6L 4-cyl manual available | FWD | 30–31 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 26 | Air bags (12) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Rio 2018–2023 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 0 | 12 |
| 2023 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | Standard | 1 | 11 |
| 2022 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | Standard | 1 | 11 |
| 2021 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 15 |
| 2021 | Kia Rio 5 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 15 |
| 2020 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 27 |
| 2020 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 27 |
| 2019 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 1 | 21 |
| 2018 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | Not Rated | No | Optional | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 31 |
| 2017 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 31 |
| 2016 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 77 |
| 2016 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 77 |
| 2015 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 52 |
| 2015 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 52 |
| 2014 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 52 |
| 2014 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 52 |
| 2013 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 153 |
| 2013 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 153 |
| 2012 | Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 54 |
| 2012 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 54 |
| 2011 | Kia Rio SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 24 |
| 2011 | Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 24 |
| 2010 | Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 26 |
| 2010 | Kia Rio 5-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 26 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rio | Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 36 |
| 2022 | Rio | Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 36 |
| 2021 | Rio | Auto (AV-S1), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 36 |
| 2020 | Rio | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 36 |
| 2019 | Rio | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
32 |
| 2018 | Rio | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
32 |
| 2017 | Rio | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2017 | Rio Eco | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 31 |
| 2016 | Rio | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
| 2016 | Rio Eco | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 31 |
| 2015 | Rio | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30 |
| 2015 | Rio Eco | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 31 |
| 2014 | Rio | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30 |
| 2014 | Rio Eco | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 31 |
| 2013 | Rio | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2013 | Rio Eco | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L | 32 |
| 2012 | Rio | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
31–32 |
| 2011 | Rio | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30 |
| 2010 | Rio | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L |
30–31 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.