CarRecallWatchThe 2016 Kia RIO has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA, including 8 crashes, 6 fires, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (39 reports).
2016 Kia RIO recalls
Brake control module short can cause engine fire
The hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU), which runs the antilock brake and traction control system, may develop an electrical short.
Trunk May Not Open From Inside, Trapping Occupants
The trunk latch base can crack, which may stop the trunk from being opened from the inside.
Most common 2016 Kia RIO problems
Problem areas named in the 79 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
What owners report
ON 9/21/2026 AT 3:18AM WAS GETTING OFF TURNPIKE Becker rd. 128 CAME TO A STOP LIGHT WHEN a truck plowed in the back of me then took off. hit me so hard the car shut off. i started the car back up after a few minutes did not see anyone and drove home.
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle suddenly began bucking, lost power, and lost oil. The engine compartment immediately caught fire. The fire was entirely non-collision related and required immediate extinguishing. The incident was logged by the Washington State Patrol. The vehicle was towed and subsequently inspected by a certified Kia dealership. The Kia dealership technicians officially diagnosed the cause of the fire as a catastrophic internal engine failure, specifically noting in writing that they "found hole in engine block." They noted there was no other possible causation. This spontaneous engine failure and resulting fire occurred at approximately 99,000 miles. The vehi
I am filing this complaint regarding a persistent low beam headlight failure on my 2016 Kia Rio that has not been resolved after a paid repair at an authorized Kia dealership. The low beam headlights on my vehicle stopped functioning. I brought the vehicle to Car Pros Kia in [XXX] for diagnosis and repair on XXX.. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a faulty Body Control Module (BCM) and replaced it on XXX. The dealership released the car to me with a 25-point inspection reading that all exterior lights were functional. The repair did not fix the problem â my low beams remain non-functional. I returned the vehicle on May 15th, 2026 so they can remedy the repair. They released my vehicle
I am filing a complaint regarding repeated failures of the LED tail light assemblies on my 2016 Kia Rio. This vehicle uses combination tail lights that include both standard bulbs and integrated LED brake lights. The LED portion has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. I am now experiencing failure again, requiring replacement of multiple tail light assemblies. Each assembly costs approximately $400, and my vehicle requires four total units. This results in a significant repair cost for what should be a long-lasting component. LED lighting is widely expected to last far longer than traditional bulbs, and repeated failure raises concerns about product reliability and safety.
My car is experiencing excessive oil consumption. Upon inspection, it was determined that the issue lies with my catalytic converter. I have discovered that this problem has been reported in other Kia vehicles. The information I found suggests that the oil I am using is being bypassed by the catalytic converter, which indicates a potential issue with the Kia carâs design. Engine light wonât go off
2016 Kia RIO questions
Does the 2016 Kia RIO have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia RIO: Brake control module short can cause engine fire; Trunk May Not Open From Inside, Trapping Occupants. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia RIO?
Based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (39), Unknown Or Other (15), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12).
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Kia RIO has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.