The 2021 Kia Rio is a vehicle from South Korea. Below are the specifications, open safety recalls and NHTSA data available for this specific model year. Decode a 2021 Rio VIN to see the exact trim, engine and equipment for one particular vehicle.
Value calculator
Move the slider: the estimate applies the observed one-year depreciation rate for this model line (25.2%/year) to the value you enter. It updates instantly, right here.
Estimated value
$0
Source: Craigslist U.S. used listings (2020-2021 snapshot) + Car Features & MSRP dataset. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and the snapshot was taken in 2020–2021 — pair the estimate with live listings for your area before pricing a car.
Overview
The Kia Rio is a vehicle sold in the U.S. market. Enter its 17-character VIN below to pull the exact build from NHTSA vPIC: model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus any open safety recalls filed for that model year.
Specifications at a glance
Basic build info
Model year
2021
Make
Kia
Model
Rio
Body
Vehicle
Country of origin
South Korea
Model-year-exact trim, engine and equipment vary by VIN. Decode the specific VIN above to confirm.
NHTSA safety ratings
—
Overall
—
Frontal
—
Side
—
Rollover
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Real-world pricing & specs — 2021 Kia Rio
Used-market medians (U.S. listings)
U.S. used-market listings for the 2021 Rio (Craigslist, 2020–2021 snapshot) cluster around a median asking price of $20,580 at roughly 17 miles, based on 3 listings. Asking prices run above negotiated sale prices, and values have moved since the snapshot — pair with live listings for your area.
Used median price
$20,580
Median mileage
17
Sample: 3 listings
Median of real U.S. Craigslist asking prices for this model year; asking prices skew above negotiated sale prices. Snapshot taken 2020-2021.
NHTSA safety recalls — 2021 Kia Rio
2
open recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Repairs are free at any authorized Kia dealer (within 10 years of first sale). See all recalls →
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Campaign: 21V936000 · Filed: 01/12/2021
Defect description: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Consequence: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
STEERING:COLUMN
Campaign: 22V304000 · Filed: 05/05/2022
Defect description: 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.
Consequence: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective action: 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.
Source: NHTSA Recalls API. Snapshot last checked: October 19, 2026. Recall status changes — verify by VIN for any vehicle you own or plan to buy.
Common problems to check on this generation
Wear items (brakes, suspension bushings, tires) at a rate set by mileage and prior care
Electronics and infotainment faults reported on some model years
Any open recall: verify by VIN, since repairs are free at the dealer
Applies to the model line as a whole; the 2021 model year may have specific TSBs, always verify by VIN.
Owner-reported problems — 2021 Rio
15
owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this year/make/model. Complaints are self-reported by owners and are separate from formal recalls.
Most-reported problem areas:
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 3 reports
SERVICE BRAKES — 2 reports
STEERING — 1 report
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 12/28/2025
Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES — 11/30/2022
Having been complaining about a noise from under the front right tire, I was initially told it was a little piece of plastic and that got cut off. I was still hear the scraping and squealing and I kept check the from right tire because I thought that's where it was coming from. I mentioned this to every mechanic at kia and was told "that's just how 2021s sound". Finally after months of complaining the noise got louder and you could hear it was clearly something in steering. They schedules an app
⚠ Crash reported.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 11/14/2023
Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.
Ask a specific question about this year and model. Our editors review every submission and publish answers with sources on this page — typical response time is 2-5 business days.
The 2021 Rio is a Vehicle. Decode a specific VIN above for the exact trim, engine, transmission and factory options for one particular vehicle.
Are there recalls on the 2021 Rio?
Yes — 2 recalls on record. Repairs are free at any authorized dealer.
Is the 2021 Kia Rio reliable?
How long a used Kia Rio lasts depends mostly on its maintenance history, not the badge. Pull the recall list for the model year, read the service records and pay for an independent inspection before you commit.
Values vary by trim, mileage, condition and region. Check Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA/J.D. Power for a range, see our guide comparing them — and pair with 5–10 local listings for your exact year and mileage.
What common problems should I watch for on a 2021 Rio?
Segment-wide issues like brake and suspension wear are the norm at this age; model-specific issues vary by generation. Review the "common problems" section above, check NHTSA complaints and TSBs for the specific year, and get an independent inspection focused on those areas.
Sources on this page:NHTSA vPIC (specifications),
NHTSA Recalls,
NHTSA NCAP (safety),
EPA FuelEconomy.gov (MPG),
NHTSA Complaints, SAE J2012 (OBD-II standard). VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with Kia or any government agency.
