159 of the
1,816 complaints filed about the KIA RIO
are about the electrical system —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
The Components that have malfunctioned are the airbags, exaust system, electrical systems, sensors, gaskets, and a few other things. We had 5 failed clockspring repairs. The first (3?) under warranty, we paid for another when they said it was our fault, then that mechanic said that it needed to go back to a dealership because it was defective. I advocated for months for it to be evaluated. No one at kia helped me despite this being a repeat warranty issue. I finally found a shop that would waive a diagnostic and he confirmed the issues atleast with the airbags- however in order to fully diagnose the engine they also needed to replace parts in order to perform an oil consumption test. While the represenative did approve the repairs for the airbag, they have not given the dealership an answear about ANYTHING engine related- we need an answear if we should be waiting or having it towed out of there. They have had it for a month. We repeatedly try to get ahold of them but they ignore when we call or email them. The represenative also made sexist comments about "being a woman" and its clear our safety concerns are not being handled serioursly. Just like with the inside, we get codes for certian parts but not all the other parts that go bad. You can not just hook it up to a computer and see what is wrong because of all the issues with the sensors (all reported under warranty and never fixed). The car goes through over 30 quarts of oil in between changes, and we belive that the tempterature sensors do not actually work because there is an EXCESSIVE amount of heat that comes off the engine. The clockspring turned into steering colums, a seat, electrical. Otherwise we can not drive the car anyways and would be happy to hand it over to be dismantled and inspected if the NHSTA would be willing to do that- the car is INCREDIBLY defective. I am INCREDIBLY scared if I have to drive off with this thing. Its an absolute safety hazzard weather or not the computer is flagging it.
NHTSA complaint #11755104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The first problem part is the airbag. The clockspring was fixed twice under warranty. Then the dealership said they wont keep doing it and blamed me wrongly. I had a private mechanic repair the same part twice due to the code it was giving but it turns out thats not what's wrong with it. The entire airbag and electrical components are bad, that is why the two repairs the dealership as well as the private mechanic made did not work. We also have some engine problems they wont continue to fix because my warranty is now surpassed. The car burns through 20 quarts of oil in between changes, it has no leaks. It has so much carbon buildup. They replaced a gasket and thats another part that has continually needed replaced but they did not fix the issue that has caused it to go bad. When the small mechanics hear about the issue they are confused because the type of motor I have was recalled in other cars for the same issues. My car just recently surpassed the warranty, I should not be having to still fight the dealership to have a car in working condition for the same problems they kept putting bandaid on during warranty repairs.
NHTSA complaint #11727159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Took my car in as the airbag light on the dashboard kept turning on and off— with or without a passenger in the seat. The dealership ran a diagnostic inspection and turns out that the passenger side OCS Mat and ECU are faulty and need to be replaced (DTC codes B176700 and B17672F). I have not been in a crash and there are no obvious signs of damage to the seat that might have caused this. There’s no active recall for this but it does seem that one other person has reported issues with the passenger airbag system and I know other Kia models have had recalls in the past. The car had about 90,000 miles on it when this issue started and it’s up to date on all maintenance but I was quoted over $3000 to fix this which is essentially the value of my car now, totaling the vehicle even though it has no other issues. This is a major safety issue, when you buy a car you expect that the airbags and corresponding electrical equipment last you for the life of the car or until there is an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11727369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was sleeping and heard a pop looked and there was a fire under the hood tried to extinguish it got it outside on the road, and it burned to the ground basically
NHTSA complaint #11726820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle showed all defect warnings as described in recall #23v652 .To include loss of all hydraulic components. Your reference Claim # [XXX]. I would like to know the status of this claim as the dealer still has my vehicle and now claims needs chassis repair , even though they earlier did an undercoat of vehicle in July per another recall. The dealer now estimates the repairs at over $5800 . Since they have had vehicle over 6 months and all my quote s to repair and held because of further defects, I wonder if this is a scam to defraud people thru your recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11711183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs
NHTSA complaint #11687911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On July 17, 2025, shortly before 4am, my son's 2013 Kia Rio caught fire, while sitting in the driveway turned off, and was totally destroyed. The car was parked in the driveway at his house and there were not any warning signs before it happened. On June 10, 2024 we had the HECU fuse replaced through a recall that could cause a fire. After we had it "fixed" we had no idea that it could still catch on fire! My son could have been in the car when this happened or other structures could have caught on fire! The fire department was called to put the fire out and the car was inspected by Kia and by our insurance company. Kia does not care that we had the part replaced and that the car STILL caught on fire. They have stated that they will not do one thing about it. They didn't offer a rental car, removal of the burned car or any money to replace the car. I do not know how they get away with this especially when the fire inspector for Kia told me that they knew that changing the fuse wasn't a "fix" but it would hopefully short the fuse before a fire would start! So they knew it was still possible! Kia should not be allowed to manufacture cars!! As of the past week, Kia will not even return my phone calls.
NHTSA complaint #11684896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving when my Kia stalled and shut off but was still playing music and driving. So I pulled over and then my Kia caught on fire and went up in flames.
NHTSA complaint #11669451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that after receiving a notice of a recall, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair; however, several days later, the contact experienced intermittent difficulty starting the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally stalled while coming to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.
NHTSA complaint #11662782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I went into a rural King store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door frame of the passenger side of the front seat where the wiring is there was a whole melted all the way through that panel and you could see the wiring was exposed so I assume that the wiring had caught on fire. I'm not sure about this it has been looked at and it is at Jeff Wilder Toyota in Clarksville Indiana. They want me to pay $1,000 deductible for this but I feel like if it was a wiring issue key is should be responsible. I am going through a flood right now in my home and now I have to deal with that and I don't think I'm even responsible for the payment I think he is at the cover it.
NHTSA complaint #11653010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I came out of a store last week and there was smoke inside my car and when I opened the door there was a hole down by the door frame on the passenger side that it burned all the way through to the frame of the car and now my lights are flashing on and off and sometimes a passenger headlight works sometimes the driver had light works but it's either one or the other it's doing all kinds of crazy stuff with the lights now I'm thinking it has to be in the electrical fire because it got hot enough to melt all the way through the plastic part of the bottom of my door I do have pictures
NHTSA complaint #11647263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
It's very high insurance..I paid twice the amount of the car in insurance and registration Kelly Bluebook said car is worth 5000.00 Brand New...I paid 6995.00 plus taxes There's a recall on my vehicle and it has 147,000 miles and i haven't even drove anywhere but from Palace Station to Decatur
NHTSA complaint #11628733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for diagnostic testing; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11618114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dealer has failed to remedy recall 23V652 in a reasonable amount of time. Received the original recall notice dated April 10, 2024. Immediately scheduled an appointment with the dealer. Dealer fixed another outstanding recall but said they didn't have the part for the 23V652 recall. Contacted the dealer several times since and they say they don't have the part to fix the recall and will get back when they do. Contacted Kia and explained the situation. They said they'd get back. Never heard from them. This is a recall for a fire hazard. It was dated April 10, 2024. It is now September 10, 2024.
NHTSA complaint #11613883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car would constantly stall, would need to jiggle ignition to get car to turn over. burn oil EXTREMELY. would foul spark plugs around 20k-30kmiles. , coolant would get burned and get shot out to the exhaust area, and finally the car would have smoke coming out of the engine bay after driving for a distance of 15-30 miles while also getting terrible MPG. Car on average should get 38mpg highway and 27mpg city. This car was getting about 20-22mpg highway and 16-20mpg city.
NHTSA complaint #11589184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When I started my car, during the warm-up process, it dropped revs and turned off. After several tries, it turned on. While driving, when the vehicle was stopped, it began to jerk slightly. The safety risk is that the car, while I am driving, could turn off and cause an accident, in which people could be at risk, including me. I wouldn't want this to escalate because the dealer doesn't take action on the matter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to evaluate the condition, they say that the technicians did not find anything, that the car did not emit any codes. And therefore they couldn't do anything. Note that I bought that car completely new, 0 miles, in March of last year. And in January the problem started. It is also worth noting that the car had to have a rack&pinion change in less than a year, due to a noise it made when the guide turned. All maintenance has been done with the official Auto Grupo Kia dealership on Kennedy, in Puerto Rico. I fear my safety and that of others behind the wheel, if the major fault in my car is not fixed.
NHTSA complaint #11584683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
No parts available to fix hydraulic electronic control unit HECU. Been told this since December 2023. Received another letter dated 4/10/3024. The remedy is now available. Being told again there are no parts. Went by another car insurance company. Being told I cannot get a quote because of repair problems with recalls.
NHTSA complaint #11583448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.