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2017 Kia Rio

Gas

Compact Cars
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

79 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical2

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA31

Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2017 Kia Rio is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Rio, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 31 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Rio	Gas	FWD	1.6L 4-cyl	27	36	31	$2,000
Rio Eco	Gas	FWD	1.6L 4-cyl	27	36	31	$2,000
Rio	Gas	FWD	1.6L 4-cyl	27	36	30	$2,100

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37414, 37412, 37413.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SC284

Park outside1,730,192 vehicles

ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.RiskAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.FixOwners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

NHTSA campaign 23V652000reported Sep 25, 2023Kia America, Inc.

●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

SC278

319,436 vehicles

ProblemKia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, 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."RiskA person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

NHTSA campaign 23V594000reported Aug 24, 2023Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA defect investigations

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module — Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · action AQ23002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

31complaints filed

3 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 3

Most-cited components

Engine11

Unspecified6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic6

Air Bags3

Electrical System3

Latches/Locks/Linkages2

What owners describe

“My son and I were driving home from work on IH-35 and I noticed smoke coming from under my hood. Then within seconds, flames appeared moving quickly towards the windshield. I attempted to move to the shoulder and after doing so, I was unable to stop since the brakes were no longer working. I had to use the parking brak…”Jul 9, 2024 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

“The contact owns a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to open the trunk with the key fob, the trunk failed to unlock or open. In addition, the contact engaged the emergency gear, and the trunk would not open. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notif…”May 21, 2024 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA owner report

“No parts available to fix hydraulic electronic control unit HECU. Been told this since December 2023. Received another letter dated 4/10/3024. The remedy is now available. Being told again there are no parts. Went by another car insurance company. Being told I cannot get a quote because of repair problems with recalls.”Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	12%
5 HB FWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	12%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Rio model years

2023 Kia Rio

0 recalls · 12 complaints

2022 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 11 complaints

2021 Kia Rio

2 recalls · 15 complaints

2020 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 27 complaints

2019 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 21 complaints

2018 Kia Rio

1 recalls · 28 complaints

2016 Kia Rio

2 recalls · 77 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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