FaultScore

KIA RIO transmission problems

98 of the 1,816 complaints filed about the KIA RIO are about the transmission — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

98

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

6

Crashes

3

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

2001 RIO 31 31.6%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2002 RIO 8 8.2%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

2003 RIO 13 13.3%

Median failure at 40,318 miles

2004 RIO 4 4.1%

Median failure at 60,132 miles

2005 RIO 3 3.1%

Median failure at 9,500 miles

2006 RIO 2 2.0%

Median failure at 90,600 miles

2007 RIO 3 3.1%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2008 RIO 2 2.0%

Median failure at 77,200 miles

2009 RIO 1 1.0%

Median failure at 2,900 miles

2010 RIO 1 1.0%
2013 RIO 5 5.1%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

2014 RIO 6 6.1%

Median failure at 25,350 miles

2015 RIO 1 1.0%

Median failure at 12,437 miles

2016 RIO 5 5.1%

Median failure at 17,457 miles

2017 RIO 1 1.0%
2018 RIO 1 1.0%
2019 RIO 2 2.0%

Median failure at 8,000 miles

2020 RIO 5 5.1%

Median failure at 34,857 miles

2021 RIO 2 2.0%
2023 RIO 2 2.0%

What owners said

2020 KIA RIO at 28,000 miles Allyn, WA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA complaint #11725043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA RIO Columbia, MS

POWER TRAIN

I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.

NHTSA complaint #11665742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA RIO Las Vegas, NV

POWER TRAIN

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.

2019 KIA RIO Decatur, GA

POWER TRAIN

The oil light flashed in the car once after an oil change, so I took the car back the very next day to the mechanic and he said there was no oil in the car at the time. He filled the car back up with oil, and by the end of the week, the car needed oil again, but no light indicated the car was low on oil. Months went by with constant oil changes and the car needing oil, so the mechanic told me to take the car to the dealership because he couldn't find a leak. Took the car to the dealership, they couldn't find a leak either. Took the car back to the main mechanic who said the car was consuming too much oil and that a new engine was needed. Spoke to the corporate office for the car company and was told that I needed to get all these tests did before I could be eligible for a new engine. I scheduled the tests, but before I could even make it to the dealership for the tests, the car gave out because there was no oil again and this time the car started burning. I called corporate again and was told that since I'm not the original owner of the car I would be denied for a new engine and that I wouldn't be offered a loaner car. I was told it was best for me to get another car, which is what I did, and now I'm stuck paying for two cars because I couldn't trade this one in because of the engine problem, even though the car is drivable. This car has put me in a lot of safety risks because there have been times when I was on the side of the road in the early morning hours because the car had no oil and was burning. The car wouldn't go over a certain speed limit when the oil was low and/or empty, so I was put at risk as well due to other drivers going the speed limit.

NHTSA complaint #11622905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA RIO Juncos, PR

POWER TRAIN

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.

2016 KIA RIO at 34,000 miles Derwwod, MD

POWER TRAIN

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.

2014 KIA RIO Margate, FL

POWER TRAIN

PRESENTO ILUMINACION DEL MAL FUNCIONAMIENTO INDICADOR LAMPARA (MIL),ABS PRECAUCION LIGHT,BURNING/MELTING SMALL,AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN ESTOOCURRIO EL 03/08/2023, NO TENIA LA INFORMACION DEL PROBLEMA Y MANDE A REPARAR EL MOTOR $ 3,890.00.nECESITOQUE USTEDES ME AYUDEN POR ESTE PAGO. I PRESENT LIGHTING OF THE MALFUNCTIONING LAMP INDICATOR (MIL), ABS CAUTION LIGHT, BURNING/MELTING SMALL, AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN THIS HAPPENED ON 08/03/2023, I DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I SENT FOR REPAIR THE ENGINE $3,890.00.nI NEED YOU TO HELP ME WITH THIS PAYMENT.

NHTSA complaint #11555974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA RIO New Lebanon, OH

POWER TRAIN

Placed car in park got out to open a gate. Car took off forward even when shifter was in Park Position and almost ran a child over.

NHTSA complaint #11555136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA RIO Orlando, FL

POWER TRAIN

I believe my Kia Rio S falls victim to the recall 2020 Kia Rio models have faced. Brake performance has been severely degraded on my vehicle over the past few weeks despite doing all recommended maintenance. When I first got my 2020 Kia Rio S I could brake with 5% pressure applied to the brakes, now it takes about 25-30% pressure and it seemingly is increasing every day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they advised me it would be a $2000 service charge minimum.

NHTSA complaint #11543523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA RIO Ronceverte, WV

POWER TRAIN

Ignition getting stuck in acc car can’t go anywhere can’t turn key off steering wheel won’t lock no don’t have money to put in shop arm no hasn’t been inspected no lamps no warning just started doing it has done a few times now

NHTSA complaint #11542553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 KIA RIO Silver Spring, MD

POWER TRAIN

I was driving around 10mph when I noticed that the transmission would not shift at all. The RPM would only increase but the car does not accelerate. Kia dealership confirmed that the transmission is dead.

NHTSA complaint #11537433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 KIA RIO Encinitas, CA

POWER TRAIN

Extremely hot weather lately. Trunk is no longer opening.

NHTSA complaint #11533147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA RIO Alliance, OH Fire

POWER TRAIN

Engine caught fire , oil consumption, miss firing, knocking brought to dealer they found nothing wrong with it back in December 2022. Car stopped working on March 11,2023 had fire underneath police had vehicle towed to the house. Insurance company will be here Monday. Will also be contacting Kia dealer in alliance Ohio on Monday. The engine light was on and checked missing firing cylinder one

NHTSA complaint #11511413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA RIO Naples, FL

POWER TRAIN

on 08.30.22 while driving on the interstate I75 going approx. 75 mph my vehicle just lost speed and I barely made it to the side of the road. it did not shut off just had no power, this was at 63,000 miles and had to have the catalytic converter replaced. total cost $1800. fast forward to 12.10.22 same thing happened and was told once again need a new catalytic converter. also have had all maintenance done and this GDI engine burns approx. 1 quart of oil every 2 weeks. also make not that the engine light never came on with either event

NHTSA complaint #11497216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA RIO Silver Spring, MD

POWER TRAIN

I had driven my wife to her school about 5 miles and headed back to my work another 5 miles when i tried to accelerate pass car I lost almost all power barely making it up a slight hill I kept going trying to make it to my house barely going 10 miles an hour. I thought the transmission had let go cause while I had the gas peddle floored i went at best 10-15 miles an hour I eventually parked the car I knew it would never make it up another slight hill. It was rowed to a nearby dealer where they could find no problem telling me it was just some bad gas. This sounds like what I read about today with a couple of other models of Kia.

NHTSA complaint #11491460 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA RIO Barnegat, NJ

POWER TRAIN

the car has 93000 miles and it started making a knocking noise from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic and told me the engine needs replace because the connecting rod was broken that there have been recalls for KIA's for this problem. I went to the KIA dealer for fix under warranty but they declined for lack of maintenance due to my first oil change was to long I did not retain my receipts. than i researched to find out the government/this sight is investigating Hyundai-KIA for this problem , the RIO was not on the original recall the case has been reopened in December to add the RIO so thats why I am here adding my car to the list.

NHTSA complaint #11475941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA RIO Lake Mary, FL Fire

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated the vehicle was parked at her residence, when entering inside the cab, she noticed the gear shaft was melted. The contact stated she did not visibly see fire. The police did come to her residence and informed the cause of the fire was an electronic failure but they do not file any fire reports. The contact did not contact the fire department. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to a local dealer and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed back to her residence. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11464361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 KIA RIO Tacoma, WA Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.

NHTSA complaint #11436781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA RIO at 41,714 miles Tucson, AZ Crash

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that he was a former service technician and that while driving and stopping at a stoplight, the traffic light turned green and the contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle idled and stalled for a few seconds before inadvertently accelerating and crashing into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently on several occasions. The contact attempted to take the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected however, the dealer was unable to inspect the vehicle for a month. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 41,714.

NHTSA complaint #11425950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA RIO Maringouin, LA

POWER TRAIN

I HAVE 2016 KIA RIO LX AND I BEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT FIRST IT WAS MY WIDOW SWITCH KEEP RUBBING SO I TOOK THE THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SAID IT NEEDED OIL ON IT WAS DRYOUT.NEXT I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK WHEN I PUMP GAS IN THE TANK IT KEEP REJECTING AND CLICKING AT THE PUMP LIKE IT'S FULL OF GAS AND IS NOT.THEN SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD BE POPPING UP EVERY NOW AND AGAIN AND SHOWING THE ESC CONTROL WHEN DRIVING.NOW THE CAR TO START SMOKING WHEN I PULL OFF ONLY AND I KEEP HAVING TO ADD OIL.

NHTSA complaint #11407270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA RIO problems