40 of the
1,816 complaints filed about the KIA RIO
are about the throttle and cruise control —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2012.
40
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Slowed down on highway as there was a backup from an exit, then accelerated again and car would not accelerate correctly. Engine light came on and then turned off as I exited off the highway. I turned the car off once safely parked. Burning smell was noted. Car would not start and was towed to auto shop where it was checked and deemed as an internal engine failure.
NHTSA complaint #11589221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, who were unable to identify the cause of the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11556929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind you and you were just going 65 mph in a 70 and I had just got on the highway from the on ramp and was trying to get to speed when it cut out. the crank shaft position sensor coded then so had it replaced and its still rough on acceleration and shifting and it's an automatic transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11522543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It was 12/21/2022 at about 3:15 PM in the afternoon and I had just turned right into the parking lot of St. Alexius Medical Center, 1555 Barrington Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. I took a left turn, and went north about fifty feet and stopped at a stop sign. A car was stopped at the same intersection from the right facing west. As I waited for the other car to turn in front of me, my 2011 Kia Rio started to surge in speed without my foot on the accelerator. I instinctively jammed on my brake pedal to avoid hitting the car turning in front of me. Luckily, I did not hit the other vehicle, but I am concerned that this might happen again unexpectedly. The temperature at the time was about 20 degrees outside.
NHTSA complaint #11498472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yes my son bought this car last year I have been checking since January there has still been no recalls on his particular car he was in a car accident and unfortunately him and his passengers were all killed. I have contacted an attorney who has sent an inspector they said initial look it look like something to do with a rod in the engine and it catching fire but from other things it’s possible he could’ve had other problems dealing with the brakes the emergency assistance. So they think possible electrical and what else they have not said. They are getting with Kia to get his car moved there so they can have one of their people take it apart to preserve evidence to find out which or if many of the recalls had happened to his more happened to his car
NHTSA complaint #11462852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the RPMs was rising to the red line immediately. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was transmission maintenance needed on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure continued. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and the towing technician noticed that the accelerator pedal was stuck. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
NHTSA complaint #11446443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF STOCKTON LOCATED AT (6215 HOLMAN RD, STOCKTON, CA 95212) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #11315702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 8 IN LA MESA CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE ON MY VEHICLE STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED REVVING UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA OF EL CAJON WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY THROTTLE CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING, AND IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #11280415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
'TAMARA RECALL' MY CAR DRIVE GEAR HAS TWICE SLIPPED INTO 'SHIFT GEAR... 1ST, 2ND, ALONG WITH A NOTICEABLE LOU DAY SOUND: USUALLY I PUT CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSAL, THEN DRIVE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON; THEN 2ND TIME I NOTICE NEAR SPEED, IT SHOWED NUMBERS INSTEAD OF D FOR DRIVE. VECHILE WAS IN MOTION, I PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. CUT CAR OFF AND STARTED CAR UP AGAIN. ALL WAS GOOD. 1ST TIME I DROVE TO GOT HOME DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
NHTSA complaint #11243103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TURNING RIGHT DECELERATING AS I TURNED. ONCE I TURNED, ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS DISENGAGED AND NO ACCELERATION WAS HAPPENING. BRAKING SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKES. WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP, THERE WAS VISIBLE FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TEMP GAGE NEVER REGISTERED AS HIGH WHILE DRIVING. WITHIN A MATTER OF A COUPLE MINUTES, THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND AND DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. CAR WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY FOR OIL. HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING AND TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RELEASED ME. CAR IS TOTALED NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11183368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH GEARS IS STUCK AND DOASNT WORK. MY CAR WILL ONLY STAY IN 3RD GEAR AND REVERSE. IT HAS NO POWER AND GOES IN LIMP MODE. I HAVE 3 SMALL KIDS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. PLZ HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #11181015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SOLD A CAR THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A 'LEMON' AFTER ONLY A MONTH OF HAVING IT BEGAN BREAKING DOWN THE MOST RECENT ISSUE BEING THE CADILLAC CONVERTER MAKING IT A LITTLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE SPEED IS AFFECTED ALONG WITH TOXIC FUEL, WHENEVER I DRIVE UP A HILL THE CAR IS LOUD SLOW TO WHERE IT SOMETIMES ROLLS BACKWARDS OR STOPS AND AT A GREEN LIGHT CAR CAN NOT REACH MINIMUM SPEED CAUSE OTHER CARS ANGER AND STRONG FUEL ORDER SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING CAR, CAR CUT OFF ONCE AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN TURNING VEHICLE MOVES ENTIRELY TOO SLOW TO WHEN ONCOMING CARS ALMOST MAKE CONTACT
NHTSA complaint #11118042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY DUE TO AN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. THE DEALER (BOB BELL KIA OF BALTIMORE, 7900 EASTERN AVE #1, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 288-2500) INITIALLY DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A WRENCH UNDER THE HOOD, BUT HAD BEEN THE ONLY REPAIR FACILITY SERVICING A VEHICLE, THE SECOND TIME, THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. DURING THE THIRD REPAIR, THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WITHIN LESS THAN 30 DAYS OF THE THIRD REPAIR FROM THE DEALER WITH NO REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INSPECTION STATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A SENSOR RELATED TO THE THROTTLE. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 15 TSBS ON THE ENGINE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6.
NHTSA complaint #11076238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A USED KIA WITH 90,000 MILES ON IT AND WITHIN 2 WEEKS WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION AND POWER. IT HESITATES UPON ACCELERATION AND LUNGES FORWARD SUDDENLY. IT LOSES SPEED AN POWER ON THE INTERSTATE IN SECONDS. IT ISN'T UNCOMMON TO GO FROM 70 TO 30 UNEXPECTEDLY FOR NO REASON. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIR INCLUDING MAF SENSOR, ALL O2 SENSORS, AND A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE PROBLEM REMAINS. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE A CAR THAT LUNGES AND THEN LOSES POWER UNEXPECTEDLY. A CAR LIKE THIS COULD KILL SOMEBODY. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP ALMOST EVERY 2 WEEKS SINCE I BOUGHT IT 11 MONTHS AGO. AND IT WAS PARKED FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS UNTIL I COULD GET IT REPAIRED THE LAST TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10994343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2012 KIA RIO
at 105,000 milesGlenwood Springs, COCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RPM'S REVVING WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SLOW DOWN SO HAD TO STEER CAR INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DOING THE SAME THING(RPM'S REVVING) IN PARK OR REVERSE OR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND 4 DAYS LATER WAS IN THE ACCIDENT. KIA DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED WHILE DRIVING IT OR PERFORMING INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THEIR RESULTS, CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED RANDOMLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO GET BACK IN THE CAR AND DRIVE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10959673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10884677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHILE DRIVING FOR NO REASON. 4000+RPM BRAKES APPLIED DID NOT STOP IT. MISTAKE WAS TO KILL ENGINE WHICH KILLS THE BRAKES AND STEERING! LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED OR KILLED. STARTED CAR AGAIN AND ENGINE REVVED UP BY ITSELF. TURNED OFF AND ON AND ENGINE WAS NORMAL. IMPORTANT TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL NOT TO TURN OFF, NEUTRAL ALLOWS BRAKES TO WORK!!!!! CALLED KIA THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10873515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO ANOTHER POST ON THIS WEBSITE. MY CAR WOULD REV HIGH ON THE RPMS WHEN STARTING IT WHILE IN PARK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MY TOE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL TO STOP IT AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPEATED IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING, OTHERWISE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS PUSHING FORWARD. I NOTICED THIS HAPPED MORE OFTEN THE NEXT DAY IF THE CAR WAS PARKED QUICKLY EARLIER, (BUT NOT ALWAYS) AND ALSO HAPPENED MORE WITH LESS MILES ON THE CAR WHEN I FIRST GOT THE ONE OWNER USED CAR AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITH LESS THAN 12000 MILES. HAD A ISSUE WITH IT WHEN AT A 3 WAY INTERSECTION WHERE A CAR TAPPED MY BUMPER HARD ENOUGH TO PUSH ME FORWARD. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED IN THE "ACCELERATION MODE." LUCKILY I WASN'T HIT BY ANY OTHER CARS WHILE MY CAR PUSHED ITSELF OUT INTO TRAFFIC DESPITE PUTTING MY FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE. I MANAGED TO GET MY TOE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND PUT ON THE BRAKE AFTER TURNING RIGHT. THIS HAPPED IN APPROX. 2014 OR 2015. NEVER HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AS OF THIS TIME. WHEN I HAD A KIA DEALERSHIP LOOKING AT THE CAR FOR ANOTHER UNRELATED PROBLEM, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. DESPITE INSPECTING AND TEST DRIVING, THE MECHANICS SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. YESTERDAY ON JUNE 3, 2016 (AFTER LEAVING OUR HOUSE WITH ROUGH ROAD OUT FRONT THAT IS TO BE REPAIRED,) I WAS MOVING FORWARD AFTER STOPPING AT A 4 WAY INTERSECTION, WHEN THE CAR STARTED REVVING AGAIN. I HAD TO BRAKE, THROW THE CAR INTO PARK, TURN ON MY HAZARDS, AND LIFT UP THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY TOE ALL AT ONCE BEFORE GOING ON THE HIGHWAY. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING UNTIL NOW. I DON'T KNOW IF GOING OVER A STONE ON THE ROUGH AREA OF OUR RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROX. 10 MPH LED TO YESTERDAY'S PROBLEM. THERE IS A SENSE OF LOSS OF CONTROL OVER DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HELP!
NHTSA complaint #10872511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY, ACCELERATE, AND STALL. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,252.
NHTSA complaint #10779937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HAD MY CAR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND IT STARTED TO LOSE POWER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT I HAD TO PAY FOR TWO DIAGNOSTIC TESTS 95.00 EACH. THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT IS NOW ALMOST EXACTLY ANOTHER YEAR PAST AND SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW DEALERSHIP CAN'T READ KIA CODES AND WANTS ME TO DRIVE IT 60 MILES AWAY WITH THE PROBLEM STILL HAPPENING. THE KIA DEALERSHIP MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIX BUT HAVE TO GET THE CAR THERE. I DID MY OWN DIAGNOSTIC TEST AT AUTOZONE AND A REPAIR SHOP. THEY GOT THE CODES SAYING IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AND POSSIBLE CATLYTIC CONVERTER WITH AN ESTIMATE OF 1260.00
NHTSA complaint #10774546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.