Is the 2022 Kia RIO reliable?

The 2022 Kia RIO has 12 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2022 Kia RIO?

Top problems: OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500); DOORS/LATCHES (2 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2022 Kia RIO?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): STEERING:COLUMN. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Kia RIO?

The 2022 Kia RIO gets 36 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1333. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2022 Kia RIO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2022 Kia RIO is approximately $1,687/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2022 Kia RIO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2022 Kia RIO has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.3x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is other problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: 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 . There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

2 complaints

17%

• 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
• 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 continu

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

STEERING:COLUMN05/05/2022

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.

Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2022 Kia RIO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,334

Per month

$111

Per mile

11.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,171/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2022 Kia RIO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,687

Full coverage / month

$141

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

+1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1687

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia RIO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2022 RIO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DOORS/LATCHES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DOORS/LATCHES: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)