Kia›Rio›2021›Overview/kia/rio/2021/base/

2021 Kia Rio

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Rio.

Transmission Automatic (AV-S1)

The 2021 Kia Rio continues the model's tradition as a compact sedan and hatchback, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (AV-S1) that helps achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city/41 mpg highway/36 mpg combined. This generation recorded just 15 total owner complaints, with two recalls noted, placing it toward the lower end of the complaint spectrum when compared to the model's broader 2000-2023 history, which ranged from a low of 3 complaints in 2000 to a high of 227 in 2001. The minimal complaint volume relative to earlier model years suggests improved reliability as the platform matured.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy33/41/36 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire size185/65R15 88HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S1)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172.8 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase101.6 in
Curb weight2549 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined33 / 41 / 36 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Rio of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.60 sec — 2021 S 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021S 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.60 sec16.80 sec120 hpFWD
2021S 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.60 sec16.70 sec120 hpFWD
2018EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec130 hpFWD
2018EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.70 sec16.60 sec130 hpFWD
2018EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.00 sec16.80 sec130 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidKia IVTF SP-CVT1
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.8 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-32.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Checking Speed: 630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)Checking Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)Setting Speed: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)Setting Speed: 100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.039 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.93-1.04 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.38-4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberOnly use AGM VRLA Battery. 47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-53.0 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessDisc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
149.0-52.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 98-102°49–52 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Kia Rio sits in the latter half of its fourth generation with 15 complaints, two recalls, and 59 TSBs — a notable improvement from the 2012–2013 generation peak of 153 complaints and 133 TSBs. Complaints have trended downward since the 2016 uptick (77), falling to 21 in 2019 before a slight rise to 26 in 2020 and then dropping to 15 in 2021, the lowest since 2011 excluding the more recent 2022–2023 figures. The two recalls in 2021 match the 2016–2017 high for this generation but exceed the single recalls in 2019–2020 and 2022; the data does not specify the root causes. Crash complaints remain low at two with zero fire incidents, and the top complaint categories — "Unknown Or Other" (three) and Service Brakes (two) — suggest no dominant systemic defect. TSB volume at 59 reflects ongoing dealer-level attention but continues the post-2013 decline from 133. For a used buyer, 2021 represents a comparatively clean model year in this generation's arc, with low complaint volume and no investigations, making it a solid choice if the two recalls have been addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
59
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other3
Service Brakes2
Steering1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Back Over Prevention1
Seat Belts,Unknown Or Other1
Steering,Lane Departure1
Steering,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V936000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master CylinderReported 01/12/2021

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. 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…

22V304000Steering:ColumnReported 05/05/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 59 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2311_TSB_R42026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_ELE4222026-05-27Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2311_OWNR_PC2012025-12-19StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rio. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group O battery

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Rio have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Rio get?

EPA figures are 33 city / 41 highway / 36 combined mpg.