AI Damage2022 KIA RIO: common problems
Owners of the 2022 KIA RIO filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about backover prevention and latches, locks, linkages. The maker issued 20 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 20
What fails most often
- 1 Backover prevention 17% of all complaints
- 2 Latches, locks, linkages 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- Backover prevention: 2 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Latches, locks, linkages: 2 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (17% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Structure: 1 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backover prevention | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that the rearview camera would intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), the camera would intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Recently, the contact stated that the rear-view camera had failed to operate as needed.
A deer ran out in front of me. I hit it head on. My hood unlatched and flew up and the hinges cut into the very top of the fenders. I don’t think a hood is supposed to pop open like this.
The rear camera fails to function most of the time. It is a safety issue because I am unable to see cars or objects behind me when I am backing up. I am also unable people passing behind me when I am backing out of a parking space in a parking lot.
I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in reverse my screen goes off.
The contact opened the trunk and became aware that the trunk shocks had become detached from the latch. The contact was able to open and close the trunk lid, but the lid failed to remain open after being raised.
When my car is running it makes a knocking noise from engine I have taken it th the dealer they heard it but said they can figure out where it's coming from. The engine runs hotter than normal. The rods I think are the cause
No dashboard lights came on, no warning lamps or messages. No other symptoms. I went to the Kia Dealership immediately. There was a hole in my front brake line and all of the fluid had leaked out. Vehicle was less than 2 years old, less than 100,000 miles on it.
The windshield wipers only work consistently on the last two settings. When you push the wiper gear down to the initial setting where you can adjust the speed with the dial, it struggles to move or doesn’t move at all. I can hear the wiper gear trying to lift the wipers, but nothing happens.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,428 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 32% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RIO has 28 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Latches, locks, linkages. Door, hood and tailgate latches, especially near the impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5WSOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT…
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
PARTIAL SEAT TRACK REPLACEMENT FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT SEAT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
NHTSA lists 20 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2022 KIA RIO?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: backover prevention, latches, locks, linkages, service brakes. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rear-view camera (17%), knocking, grinding or other noise (17%), warning lights, check engine (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 KIA RIO?
NHTSA lists 20 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2022 KIA RIO from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2022 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.