Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 25% | 101,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 19% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 27% | — |
| 2018 | 16 | 57% | 110,000 miles |
| 2017 | 11 | 35% | 112,000 miles |
| 2016 | 42 | 54% | 75,000 miles |
| 2015 | 27 | 52% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 24 | 46% | 70,000 miles |
| 2013 | 56 | 37% | 70,000 miles |
| 2012 | 25 | 46% | 97,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 29% | 89,000 miles |
| 2010 | 4 | 15% | 88,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 21% | 67,000 miles |
| 2008 | 5 | 11% | 69,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 7% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 11% | 42,000 miles |
| 2005 | 17 | 46% | 54,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 32% | 53,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 27% | 11,000 miles |
| 2002 | 40 | 31% | 87,000 miles |
| 2001 | 53 | 24% | 52,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle restarted; however, the transmission failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day the contact was able to start the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer found no failure with the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,900.
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. …
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
Recall SC223 Brake master cylinder. Rough metal edges can pinatrate Seals causing leaks poor braking functionality. NHTSA Capaign ID# 21V936000. Nov.30th.2021, 87 vehicles effected. Clay Cooley kia refused to honor the recall and fix the problem with my vehicle on 10/25/2024. Recall on the catalytic converters. Recall SC176 , Carbon monoxide poisoning due to exhaust systems malfunctioning and exhaust coming through the AC system. When I took my 2020 Rio S to Vanguard Kia Arlington Texas. Vanguard kia refused to honor the recall because my vehicle had over 80,000 miles and that's why Vanguard Kia service advisors wouldn't replace the catalytic converters. Or Vanguard kia would have replaced them! Even though it was a Safety issue. …
Unknown of specifics. I was driving up a hill. I heard a loud pop. I pulled off the side of the road. The battery light, oil light, and one other came on. I turned my car off. Tried to start it, again however it sounded like the starter wasn't working. Then smoke started to come out of the car. Within 10 minutes my entire car was consumed in flames. A bystander stated the same thing happened to someone she knows- same make & model of car... about two weeks prior. Police believe there was something faulty within the car.
On the morning of October 15th, the oil light of my 2019 Kia Rio came on, immediately followed by extreme engine noise, just before the engine locked. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service center. They checked and reported that all oil had leaked out and motor had locked. I then had vehicle towed to Kia dealer and requested a motor replacement. They not only charged me for a diagnostic test that determined the motor had locked but also refused to replace the engine without me paying $12,000. The vehicle's motor has the same problems as the motors in 2011-2019 kia Engine Defect Settlement but for some reason was allowed to be excluded from the settlement.
The contact owned a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 85 MPH, the engine emitted abnormal noise with no warning lights illuminated. The contact proceeded to exit the highway and enter a gas station parking lot, and upon exiting the vehicle, it was apparent that the engine had begun to catch on fire. The location of the fire was the front engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by bystanders using fire extinguishers. A fire department report was not filed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as the vehicle was reported a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,316.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Rio years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (56), 2001 (53), 2016 (42), 2002 (40) and 2015 (27) model years. Engine complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Kia Rio engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Kia Rio model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Rio engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (50 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (21).
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.