2021-2022 Kia Rio Steering Column Recall (22V304)
Kia America, Inc. · 30 vehicles · Reported May 5, 2022
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 30 2021-2022 Kia Forte; 2021-2022 Kia Rio 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 in a loss of steering control. Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 22V304 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 22V304000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC235 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | May 5, 2022 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021-2022 Kia Forte; 2021-2022 Kia Rio |
| Units affected | 30 |
| Component | Steering > Column |
| Safety risk | Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021-2022 Kia Rio in recall 22V304?
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 in a loss of steering control.
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 in a loss of steering control.
Is it safe to drive a 2021-2022 Rio with recall 22V304?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Rio shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the column, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 22V304?
Recall 22V304 covers 30 vehicles: 2021-2022 Kia Forte; 2021-2022 Kia Rio.
NHTSA lists 30 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Kia | Forte |
| 2021-2022 | Kia | Rio |
What is the fix for the Rio steering column recall?
Yes. Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge.
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 at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
When was recall 22V304 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 22V304 to NHTSA on May 5, 2022. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as May 27, 2022.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 5, 2022 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 22V304000. |
| May 27, 2022 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 53 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 22V304?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 22V304 is open on your Rio, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 22V304000 is open on your Rio, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC235. 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 22V304?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 22V304000 applies to your Rio.
- Call a Kia dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any column symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- 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 121 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 16 of them about the steering.
Since recall 22V304 was reported on May 5, 2022, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 2 of them (14%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the steering and were received on or after May 5, 2022, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related steering issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 121 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 16 of them involve the steering. 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 Forte: 68 complaints in total, 8 about the steering
- 2022 Kia Forte: 27 complaints in total, 3 about the steering
- 2021 Kia Rio: 15 complaints in total, 4 about the steering
- 2022 Kia Rio: 11 complaints in total, 1 about the steering
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2022 Kia Forte fractured completely without warning during normal driving conditions. There was no collision, curb strike, pothole impact, or accident. The fracture appears clean and brittle, not bent or deformed.
2022 Kia Forte owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11704868, filed December 13, 2025
I got into an accident i On December 10th, 2023 my car was totaled out. My steering wheel felt like it was doing its own thing and I crashed straight into a curb and some rocks.
2022 Kia Forte owner, NM, NHTSA complaint 11622041, filed October 26, 2024
Issue 1) Power steering wheel stopped working after practicing parking in preparation for a drivers test. Issue 2) Fuel indicator did not worked as expected, takes 3 to 5 min (in motion) to get the indicator in the right position.
2022 Kia Rio owner, IN, NHTSA complaint 11516967, filed April 13, 2023
Can recall 22V304 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.
Owners often ask whether this column recall means their Rio qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).
A steering problem on the 2021-2022 Kia Rio is the kind of safety defect that California law treats seriously. Fewer repair attempts may be needed for a claim than with a comfort or convenience defect.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have 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.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Rio been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Rio recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 22V304
Did the recall 22V304 fix work?
Since recall 22V304 was reported on May 5, 2022, owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the steering on these vehicles. 2 of them (14%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed May 27, 2022.
Is the 22V304000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Rio is part of recall 22V304000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
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.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 22V304000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.