2018 Kia Rio recalls
Reported Aug 9, 2021 · 253,074 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. 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."
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.
2018 Kia Rio problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine | 15 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 5 | |
| Unknown or Other | 5 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | |
| Steering | 1 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Tailgate › Latch — 1
- Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Immobilizer/Proximity › Key/Sender — 1
- Structure › Body — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 54,000 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 2018 Kia Rio complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · reported May 23, 2026
Vehicle has excessive oil consumption defect acknowledged in Kia TSB ENG222. Repeated catalytic converter failures indicate potential overheating risk similar to 2019 Gamma engine recall for fire hazard. Engine burning oil creates risk of critically low oil levels leading to engine failure/stalling while driving. Multiple emission system failures (oil consumption, catalytic converter) suggest unsafe vehicle condition. Vehicle failed Kiaâs own oil consumption tests in December 2023 and March 2024. Kia dealership recommended engine replacement per TSB ENG222 in March 2024. Kia denied coverage…
Air Bags · reported Mar 26, 2026
The first problem part is the airbag. The clockspring was fixed twice under warranty. Then the dealership said they wont keep doing it and blamed me wrongly. I had a private mechanic repair the same part twice due to the code it was giving but it turns out thats not what's wrong with it. The entire airbag and electrical components are bad, that is why the two repairs the dealership as well as the private mechanic made did not work. We also have some engine problems they wont continue to fix because my warranty is now surpassed. The car burns through 20 quarts of oil in between changes, it has…
Electrical System · reported Mar 26, 2026
Took my car in as the airbag light on the dashboard kept turning on and offâ with or without a passenger in the seat. The dealership ran a diagnostic inspection and turns out that the passenger side OCS Mat and ECU are faulty and need to be replaced (DTC codes B176700 and B17672F). I have not been in a crash and there are no obvious signs of damage to the seat that might have caused this. Thereâs no active recall for this but it does seem that one other person has reported issues with the passenger airbag system and I know other Kia models have had recalls in the past. The car had about…
Seats · reported Jan 27, 2026
My car is a 2018 Kia Rio that has a clean history and has never been in an accident. Recently my airbag light came on and I had a diagnostic run that showed a B1448 code indicating an OCS mat defect in the passenger seat. The 2015-2018 Kia Sedona models also had the same problem and were issued safety recalls. Due to this previous history I believe there could be a safety recall needed for the Kia Rio models as well.
Engine · reported Nov 22, 2025
My 2018 Kia Rio is burning 2 quarts of oil every 800 miles, confirmed by a Kia dealership through an official oil consumption test. The issue first started around 110,000 miles and has progressively gotten worse. I have owned the vehicle since it had 40,000 miles, and I have always had the oil changed on time and maintained the car properly. Despite proper maintenance, the engine gives off a strong burning-oil odor, and smoke enters the cabin while driving. This happens consistently, not occasionally. Because the engine loses oil so quickly, it can run dangerously low without warning, creating…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Kia Rio: 21V-622 (latches/locks/linkages). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Kia Rio?
Owners report engine problems most often (15 reports), followed by electrical system (5). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 54,000 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.