2021 Kia Rio Master Cylinder Recall (21V936)

Recall 21V936 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2021 Kia Rio in recall 21V936?

The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.

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.

Is it safe to drive a 2021 Rio with recall 21V936?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the master cylinder.

Which vehicles are included in recall 21V936?

Recall 21V936 covers 87 vehicles: 2021 Kia Rio.

NHTSA lists 87 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the Rio master cylinder recall?

Yes. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge.

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.

When was recall 21V936 announced?

Kia America, Inc. reported recall 21V936 to NHTSA on December 1, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as January 11, 2022.

This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your Rio was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my Rio is part of recall 21V936?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V936 is open on your Rio, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V936000 is open on your Rio, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC223. You can also ask any Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.

What should Rio owners do about recall 21V936?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V936000 applies to your Rio.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Kia dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the master cylinder happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are Rio owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the brakes.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the brakes have been filed since recall 21V936 was reported (2) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 15 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 of them involve the brakes. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2021 Kia Rio: 15 complaints in total, 3 about the brakes

Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):

On the way to work, I had the brake pedal pressed waiting for a traffic signal to change. After it changed to green, I released the brake pedal and depressed the gas pedal, only for the vehicle not to move forward – as if the brake was still being applied.

2021 Kia Rio owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11426082, filed July 23, 2021

Vehicle failed to reduce speed effectively while trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle during a left turn, which then caused the vehicle to turn widely and collide with the curb.

2021 Kia Rio owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11448123, filed January 19, 2022

Having been complaining about a noise from under the front right tire, I was initially told it was a little piece of plastic and that got cut off. I was still hear the scraping and squealing and I kept check the from right tire because I thought that's where it was coming from.

2021 Kia Rio owner, ID, NHTSA complaint 11495434, filed November 30, 2022

Can recall 21V936 make my Rio a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

A recall by itself does not make a car a lemon. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what matters is whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety, and whether the manufacturer or its dealers fixed it within a reasonable number of attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

If the 2021 Kia Rio brakes have needed more than one trip to the dealer, keep every repair order. Brake defects are treated as serious safety problems under California law.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 Kia Rio has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the Rio went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 21V936