Kia›Rio›2020›Overview/kia/rio/2020/base/

2020 Kia Rio

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Rio.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2020 Kia Rio is a subcompact model featuring an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios, and it offers EPA-estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg in the city, 41 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg combined — a competitive figure in its segment. Reliability data for this model year shows 26 total owner complaints, with the Power Train area representing the most frequent concern, and the vehicle having been subject to one recall. When placed in the context of the model's complaint history spanning 2000 to 2023, the 2020 Rio sits well within an improved reliability trajectory, as complaints have declined dramatically from a peak of 227 in 2001 to this relatively low level, suggesting meaningful strides in build quality over the model's generation.

Model year2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified

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 47 Must use a AGM VRLA Battery. · 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 47 Must use a AGM VRLA Battery. · 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

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172.8 in
Overall width	68.1 in
Overall height	57.1 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	2549 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	33 / 41 / 36 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	90 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

8.5–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.50 sec — 2018 EX 5-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	S 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.60 sec	16.80 sec	120 hp	FWD
2021	S 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.60 sec	16.70 sec	120 hp	FWD
2018	EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.50 sec	16.70 sec	130 hp	FWD
2018	EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.70 sec	16.60 sec	130 hp	FWD
2018	EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	9.00 sec	16.80 sec	130 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	109.0-116.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53.0-56.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts

79-94 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	0.93-1.04 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46YF
Oil Capacity	3.38-4.06 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47 Must use a AGM VRLA Battery.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque	Front: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .787; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	Front: .002; Rear: .001
Maximum Drum Diameter	Rear: 8.079"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

M6 Bolts

9–10 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°

13–16 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

9.4-16.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120-125°, Step 3: 120-125°

9.4–16.7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13.0-16.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°

13–16 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 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 97,500 mi	Spark 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 2020 Kia Rio generated 26 federal complaints, 1 recall, 0 investigations, and 68 TSBs. That places it very close to 2019 (21 complaints, 1 recall, 60 TSBs) and 2021 (15 complaints, 2 recalls, 59 TSBs), all part of a late-generation low-complaint stretch after the far busier 2012–2017 period, which peaked at 153 complaints and multiple recalls and investigations. Within that quieter arc, 2020 sits near the middle: complaints and TSBs ticked up modestly from 2019, but activity remained far below the earlier-generation highs. Leading complaint categories were power train, engine, and unknown/other with three reports each, plus one service-brake complaint; the data does not specify root causes, and the year recorded 3 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints. Given only one recall, no federal investigations, and consistently low complaint volume, the 2020 Rio appears to be a comparatively good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 5 a fire

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 26 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train3

Engine3

Unknown Or Other3

Service Brakes1

Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1

Electrical System1

Steering,Power Train,Service Brakes1

Steering,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 68 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2311_TSB_R4	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2311_OWNR_PC201	2025-12-19	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…

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 47 battery

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Rio have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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.