NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2022 Kia Rio Safety Record
The 2022 Kia Rio has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 10 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
No federal crash-test data exists for the 2022 Kia Rio. This means the model carries no star ratings from the federal program, nor does our publication compute a Safety Index score. The absence of crash-test results does not indicate the vehicle is safe or unsafe; it simply means no federal crash-test data is available for consumers to consult. The record does show a light recall and complaint burden: one recall campaign covering a steering-column bolt and ten owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA.
The 2022 Kia Rio was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall campaign, 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 | 10 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2022 Kia Rio?
The 2022 Kia Rio carries a Light recall and complaint burden, indicating a low volume of federal recall campaigns and owner-reported complaints relative to other vehicles tracked by NHTSA. However, the single recall identified presents a structural concern that merits attention: an improperly secured steering-column bolt. This issue affects a primary vehicle-control system, and owners should verify the completion of the prescribed remedy. Ten complaints have been filed, spanning various components without a concentrated pattern in any single system. Despite the low volume, two crash-related allegations and one alleged injury are noted in these complaints. No closely related model years are available for comparison in the federal crash-test data, leaving consumers without a direct directional reference for crash performance.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2022 Kia Rio have any recalls?
The 2022 Kia Rio has one recall, covering the steering column. The campaign, shared with certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles, addresses a bolt in the steering column that may not be properly secured. NHTSA issued no park-outside or do-not-drive advisory in the data available for this campaign, but owners should verify current remedy status through the NHTSA VIN lookup.
STEERING:COLUMN22V304000
Risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2022-05-05
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2022 Kia Rio?
Ten complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2022 Kia Rio. These are unverified consumer allegations. The most frequently cited components are Latches/Locks/Linkages and an Unknown or Other category, each with two reported allegations, followed by single allegations touching Back Over Prevention, Engine, Service Brakes, and Visibility/Wiper systems. Two of the ten reports are categorized as crash-related and one alleges an injury.
10 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2022 Kia Rio?
Before purchasing a used 2022 Kia Rio, run the specific vehicle's VIN through the free NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov to confirm whether the steering-column recall has been remedied and whether any additional campaigns have been issued since the vehicle was first sold.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2022 Kia Rio, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this specific model year.
- A single recall covers a potentially unsecured bolt in the steering column, a primary vehicle-control component shared across certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles; owners should verify the remedy is complete via the NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov.
- Ten unverified complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year, two of which are categorized as crash-related and one of which alleges an injury, spread across components including Latches/Locks/Linkages, Back Over Prevention, Engine, Service Brakes, and Visibility/Wiper systems.
- No NHTSA-tested sibling years of this model are available in the data we cover, leaving the recall and complaint record as the only federal safety data point for the 2022 Rio.
FAQ2022 Kia Rio safety questions
Was the 2022 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 10 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Rio have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2022 Kia Rio. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Kia Rio?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 10 owner complaints are on file for the 2022 Kia Rio. 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 2022.
- 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.