2022 Kia Rio: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2022 Kia Rio? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 10 complaints, with Door Lock Issues as the top reported area.
2022 Kia Rio Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2022 Kia Rio.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2022 Kia Rio Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2022 Kia Rio 5 HB FWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2022 Kia Rio has 10 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Door Lock Issues. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Kia
- Model
- Rio
- Model year
- 2022
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 10
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Door Lock Issues
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 36
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 33 / 41
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2022 Kia Rio Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Door Lock Issues
Uncategorized Issues
Back Over Prevention
Complaint patterns center on Door Lock Issues, Uncategorized Issues, Back Over Prevention. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2022 Kia Rio?
The 2022 Kia Rio shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2022 Kia Rio
Inspection Focus
- Inspect door locks for proper operation during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported component issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect door locks for proper operation during test drive.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for any reported component issues.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2022 Kia Rio, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 10 complaints for the 2022 Kia Rio, issues are spread across multiple components with no single dominant problem. Door lock issues and uncategorized complaints each account for 2 reports, while other components have single complaints. The single recall and two crash-related complaints suggest potential safety concerns, but the low complaint volume limits confidence.
- Door lock issues are the most frequently reported component with 2 complaints.
- Uncategorized issues also account for 2 complaints, indicating possible reporting ambiguity.
- Crash-related complaints total 2 out of 10, suggesting some safety incidents.
- Door Lock Issues
- Uncategorized Issues
- Back Over Prevention
All 2022 Kia Rio Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Kia Rio. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2022 Kia Rio. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 bec…
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 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 s…
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…
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 noth…
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 of…
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 sc…
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…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2022 Kia Rio.
2022 Kia Rio Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2022 Kia Rio. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2022 Kia Rio Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2022 Kia Rio reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 10 owner complaints, 2 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2022 Kia Rio shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Kia Rio?▾
#1: Door Lock Issues (2 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (2 complaints). #3: Back Over Prevention (1 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2022 Kia Rio?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2022 Kia Rio?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2022 Kia Rio, NHTSA complaints include 2 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 10 total complaints. 1 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2022 Kia Rio have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2022 Kia Rio. A major recall area is STEERING:COLUMN. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2022 Kia Rio?▾
The 2022 Kia Rio shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Door Lock Issues during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Rio reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2022 Kia Rio based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.