There are no safety recalls for the 2011 Kia Rio, but owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA.
2011 Kia Rio problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine | 7 | |
| Air Bags | 5 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | |
| Steering | 2 | |
| Structure | 2 | |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | |
| Wheels | 1 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Electrical System › Ignition — 1
- Structure › Body — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 62,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2011 Kia Rio complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · reported Mar 23, 2025
Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1. I got smart after dealing with the dealer. I bought lifetime coils from autozone and about every 1.5 to 2 years I am replacing them. It's easy to do but thats not the point. I've never had or heard of any car doing this except mine. And please let's not talk about…
Engine · reported Sep 3, 2023
The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the…
Air Bags · at 76,090 miles · reported Apr 2, 2020
As I was driving straight through an intersection of which I had a green light, the vehicle coming the opposite way through the intersection failed to yield and took a left turn hitting me head-on. We were each going between 30-35 miles per hour. I slammed my head on the steering wheel, shearing my brain from the inside of my skull resulting in a massive internal bleed. I also suffered a severe concussion and tore several ligaments in my neck. I currently continue to suffer from terrible migraines and have been unable to resume my previous profession as an architect. Why did my airbag not…
Vehicle Speed Control · at 85,000 miles · reported Nov 15, 2019
I was driving on interstate 8 in la mesa california at approximately 70 MPH when the throttle on my vehicle stuck. I was able to shift my vehicle into neutral and pull over. The engine continued revving until I shut off the ignition. The throttle cable was stuck. I had the vehicle towed to kia of el cajon where they diagnosed a faulty throttle cable and throttle body. The vehicle would not stop accelerating, and if there had been more traffic, there would have been a collision.
Engine · at 100,000 miles · reported Feb 27, 2019
Ignition coils. Ever since I bought my kia in 2015 I have had to replace the ignition coils every 3-6 months. At first, when it was still under factory warranty, the dealership kept telling me they cannot find anything wrong with the car even though it would jump and even shut off on me when idling. It took 3 months of me taking the car back and forth to the kia dealership before the figured out what was going on with my car because the check engine light never came on. It turned out to be the ignition coils. Once they were replaced everything was fine. On top of this, I was so stressed out…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 Kia Rio have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2011 Kia Rio as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Rio?
Owners report engine problems most often (7 reports), followed by air bags (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 62,000 miles.
Are Kia recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.