NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 Kia Rio 5 Safety Record
The 2021 Kia Rio 5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 0 recalls and 15 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 Kia Rio 5 has not been subjected to federal crash testing. With no NHTSA star ratings published, and no Safety Index computed by our review, an assessment of its crashworthiness remains unavailable. The record on file does indicate a low burden from recalls and owner complaints: there are no recalls recorded for this model year, and only 15 unverified owner complaints have been lodged with the agency. This limited data set offers little insight into the vehicle's safety performance, and consumers should interpret the absence of test results as neither an endorsement nor a warning regarding its protective capabilities.
The 2021 Kia Rio 5 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries zero recalls, and holds a Light recall and complaint burden band according to federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 15 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Kia Rio 5?
The 2021 Kia Rio 5 enters the Safety Desk record with a Light burden band, reflecting its zero recalls and 15 unverified complaint reports. No tested sibling years exist in the NHTSA data, leaving no related crash-test results for general context. The complaint spread touches Steering, Service Brakes, and Power Train. While these are components worth scrutinizing, the low volume of complaints and the lack of a dominant component do not signal a systematic pattern in the federal data. Two crash-related allegations appear in the complaint file, though these carry no established cause. The Light burden band strictly reflects the federal record for this specific model year.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Kia Rio 5 have any recalls?
The 2021 Kia Rio 5 has zero NHTSA recall campaigns on file. There are no components flagged, no park-outside advisories, and no do-not-drive orders associated with this model year in the federal recall record.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Kia Rio 5?
Fifteen owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Rio 5. These are unverified consumer allegations. The top components alleged are Unknown Or Other with 6 reports, Steering with 4, Service Brakes with 3, and Power Train and Engine each with 2. Two complaints involve crash allegations; none allege fire, injury, or death.
15 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Kia Rio 5?
Before buying a used 2021 Kia Rio 5, run the vehicle's VIN through nhtsa.gov to confirm no open recall obligations exist. Recall status is tied to the individual VIN, not the model year alone, and this check takes under a minute.
- NHTSA recorded zero recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Rio 5, meaning no federal safety defect has been formally acknowledged for this model year in the recall record.
- Fifteen unverified complaints were filed with NHTSA for this model year, with Steering and Service Brakes among the most frequently alleged problem areas, though no complaint is a confirmed defect finding.
- No NHTSA crash-test rating exists for the 2021 Kia Rio 5, and no tested sibling years are available in the data we cover to provide adjacent context.
- Shoppers should use the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov to verify the specific vehicle they are considering has no unresolved open recalls before purchase.
FAQ2021 Kia Rio 5 safety questions
Was the 2021 Kia Rio 5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 0 recalls and 15 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Rio 5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Kia Rio 5 as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Kia Rio 5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 15 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Kia Rio 5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Rio 5 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.