Model year guide

2018 Kia rio

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Kia rio is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

2018 Kia rio — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Kia rio at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints27
Combined32 mpg
Typical price$13,562

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2018 Kia rio recalls 1

Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch NHTSA Campaign #21V622000 · 09/08/2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2018 Kia rio common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2018 Kia rio MPG & running costs

Combined32 mpg
City29 mpg
Highway37 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,900

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2018 Kia rio worth?

Low
$11,900
Typical price
$13,562
High
$16,991

From 6 comparable 2018 Kia rio listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Kia rio costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$9,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,450
Total$13,950
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,562) with the same model 5 model-years older ($9,105), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Kia rio trims & engines on record

Trims
LX, S
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl 130 hp

2018 Kia rio vehicles on record

2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB6JE079088 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB8JE059103 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB9JE062205 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA25AB1JE094264 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB8JE059781 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB9JE047316 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24AB8JE078802 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24ABXJE081930 2018 Kia rio 2018 Kia rio LX, S3KPA24ABXJE064920

Other Kia rio model years

2021 2020 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

2018 Kia rio — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia rio have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Kia rio. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Kia rio?

Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Kia rio get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2018 Kia rio at about 32 mpg combined (29 city / 37 highway).

How much is a 2018 Kia rio worth?

Comparable 2018 Kia rio listings run roughly $11,900–$16,991, typically around $13,562 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.