2018 Kia Rio: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Kia Rio: 1 recall, 28 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #21V622000 · 2021 · 253,074 vehicles
What's wrong: The trunk latch May become damaged, 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."
Why it matters: A person inside the trunk compartment May become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (15): the most common themes are excess oil use (6), stalls / loses power (6), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (5): the most common themes are electrical failure (3).
- Airbags (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Kia Rio has 28 owner complaints, ranking #16 of 24 Rio model years for complaints (well below the 54 average). Complaints peaked in 2025 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 35,785 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (31 complaints, 2 recalls), 2019 (22 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 32 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 37 | 32 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Kia Rio.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2018 Kia Rio. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Kia Rio problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (15), electrical (5), airbags (5).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia Rio get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Kia Rio repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.