The 2020 Kia Rio has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 87 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC21V9360002021-12-0187 affected
Defect
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.
Remedy
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.
Complaints by component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7
2fires
ENGINE
5
1crashes1fires3deaths
POWER TRAIN
5
1crashes1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
3fires
STEERING
4
SERVICE BRAKES
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2
WHEELS
2
1crashes1fires3deaths
AIR BAGS
1
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints37
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2020 kia rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”
“Upon stopping at a red light and or stop sign, when applying brakes, the car continues to move forward, even after pumping the brakes. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a certified auto mechanic. The findings and recommendation for the brake master cylinder to be the reason the vehicle continues to…”
“I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.”
“I came out of a store last week and there was smoke inside my car and when I opened the door there was a hole down by the door frame on the passenger side that it burned all the way through to the frame of the car and now my lights are flashing on and off and sometimes a passenger headlight works…”
“I went into a rural king store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door…”
“I went into a rural king store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door…”
“Recall sc223 brake master cylinder. Rough metal edges can pinatrate seals causing leaks poor braking functionality. Nhtsa capaign id# 21v936000. Nov.30th.2021, 87 vehicles effected. Clay cooley kia refused to honor the recall and fix the problem with my vehicle on 10/25/2024. Recall on the…”
“My vehicle driver rear window was broken, steer column and stolen case # [xxx] I also own a vin # [xxx] and [xxx] . Please contact me [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2020 Kia Rio as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.