NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2019 Kia Rio Safety Record
The 2019 Kia Rio has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 21 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2019 Kia Rio has not been evaluated by NHTSA for crashworthiness, yielding no star ratings or Safety Index score. This lack of data prevents any definitive safety assessment based on federal crash tests. The record does show a light burden of one recall campaign and 21 owner complaints logged with NHTSA, but this information alone is insufficient to conclude whether the vehicle is safe or unsafe.
The 2019 Kia Rio was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall on record, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band according to 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 | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 21 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Kia Rio?
The 2019 Kia Rio's recall and complaint record places it in the Light burden band, indicating a lower volume of reported issues compared to many other vehicles. One recall for the trunk latch mechanism was issued. The 21 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA include four reports of crashes and four reports of injuries. Engine and airbag issues are noted among these complaints. No crash-test data is available for the 2019 Kia Rio or for any other Rio model year in our dataset.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Kia Rio have any recalls?
The 2019 Kia Rio has one recall on record. It involves the trunk lid latch, categorized under latches, locks, and linkages. The recall also covers certain 2016-2018 Kia Forte and Forte Koup models. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available campaign data, but shoppers should confirm repair status for any specific vehicle using the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH21V622000
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2021-08-09
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Kia Rio?
NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints for the 2019 Kia Rio. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts. The most frequently reported components are Unknown or Other at 8 allegations, Engine at 6, Air Bags at 3, Power Train at 2, and Steering at 2, with 1 allegation involving Back Over Prevention.
21 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Kia Rio?
The 2019 Kia Rio's trunk latch recall stands as its most significant safety concern. Prospective owners should verify the recall's repair status via the NHTSA VIN lookup, as all outstanding recalls transfer with the vehicle.
- The 2019 Kia Rio has not been crash-tested by NHTSA and therefore holds no federal star ratings or Safety Index score for this model year.
- One recall affects this model year, targeting the trunk lid latch, a campaign that also covers certain 2016-2018 Kia Forte variants.
- NHTSA has received 21 unverified owner complaints for the 2019 Rio, with engine and air bag components appearing most frequently among identifiable categories.
- No tested sibling years for the Rio exist in this guide's data, so shoppers cannot cross-reference a crash score from a closely related model year.
FAQ2019 Kia Rio safety questions
Was the 2019 Kia Rio 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 1 recall and 21 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Rio have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2019 Kia Rio. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Kia Rio?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 21 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Kia Rio. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
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 2019.
- 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.