2022 Kia Rio: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2022 Kia Rio at 36 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
36
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2022 Kia Rio recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2022 Kia Rio, newest first.
Steering: Column
NHTSA 22V304000Reported May 5, 2022
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC235)
Units affected
30 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2022 Kia Rio fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2022 Kia Rio crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2022 Kia Rio NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2022 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
2022 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2022 Kia Rio owner complaints
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Rio, most recently on Oct 16, 2026. 2 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2022 Kia Rio complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
3
Service brakes
2
Back over prevention
1
Back over prevention: Warnings
1
Electrical system
1
Engine
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control
1
Fuel/propulsion system
1
Latches/locks/linkages
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
