Most common 2011 Kia Rio problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Rio complaints by model year
Best Rio years: 2011, 2022, 2010. Years to avoid: 2013, 2016, 2001, 2002, 2003. Compare all years →
What 2011 Kia Rio owners say
Engine & cooling
Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1. I got smart after dealing with the dealer. I bought lifetime coils from autozone and about every 1.5 to 2 years I am replacing them. It's easy to do but thats not the point. I've never had or heard of any car doing this except mine. And please let's not talk about resetting the computer brain. That is an impossible task in LA the land of teaffic....please take a moment & read the hoops you have to go through on kia's Rio forum. After trying to get my car slogged for a year I paid a guy 135.00 gave him my car for the night so he could do it. Utter [redacted] !
The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.
Air bags
As I was driving straight through an intersection of which I had a green light, the vehicle coming the opposite way through the intersection failed to yield and took a left turn hitting me head-on. We were each going between 30-35 miles per hour. I slammed my head on the steering wheel, shearing my brain from the inside of my skull resulting in a massive internal bleed. I also suffered a severe concussion and tore several ligaments in my neck. I currently continue to suffer from terrible migraines and have been unable to resume my previous profession as an architect. Why did my airbag not protect me from slamming my head on the steering wheel? It seems my airbag only partially deployed. I remember it touched my face but definitely did not protect me from hitting my head on the steering wheel. …
My son was involved in an accident where he rear ended the car in front of him at approximately 35 to 40 MPH. The airbag in the steering wheel did not deploy!! Luckily, he was wearing his seat belt and suffered bruising on his hip and shoulder. I would like to know why the airbags did not deploy. I have viewed other reports online that reported the same thing where the bags did not deploy....updated 01/07/15
Electrical system
The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.
Everything seemed okay while driving then suddenly car began to shake, sputter, and did not want to accelerate. Loses power sometimes when stopped. Check engine light flashed then stayed on. Car unsafe and unable to be driven. After 4 weeks, 2 tune ups including new plugs, coil packs checked although two were recently replaced, fuel injetors checked, fuel system flushed, and throttle body cleaned. When checked diagnostic code keeps reading random misfire. Car has been at the shop (not dealership) for 2 days when they finally figured out the problem and its relating to the technical service bulletin affecting the electrical system. This shop has done all the work and feels that since Kia is aware of the TSB they should fix the problem. However the Kia dealership that I purchased the car from states they need to look at it and if its electrical its $100 an hour. …
2011 Kia Rio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 27 / 35 / 30 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 28 / 33 / 30 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Kia Rio a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Rio rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Rio at the same age. It is one of the best Rio years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Kia Rio?
The engine & cooling — 7 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the air bags (5) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Rio have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Kia Rio. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Rio?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2022 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2016, 2001, 2002 and 2003. See the full Kia Rio years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Rio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.