Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 19% | 42,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% | 34,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% | 32,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% | 40,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 3,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% | 103,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 7% | 12,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 3% | 96,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% | 69,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 16% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 6% | 18,000 miles |
| 2001 | 25 | 11% | 47,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
I am a food delivery driver. I was making a delivery to a regular customer. I was outside his side door, talking. I was out of my 2014 Kia Rio for approximately 1 and 1/2 to 2 minutes, talking with the customer. Suddenly, I am on the ground. I look to see a tires run over my foot. The customer chased after the car, it crashed intoo his parked car. That's when I noticed it was my car that ran me over. We called the oak creek police. Both the customer and I believe--due to the length of time I was out of the vehicle and talking to him--that the car (which was running) popped out of park and drove forward. I was approaximately 10-15 feet from the car when I was run over and his car was approximately 30 feet from my car. I went to the hospital; they believe I have a fracture to the head of my fibula (they only x-rayed from my right kneee down because that was what looked the worst). …
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
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
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Rio years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (25), 2003 (12), 2002 (8), 2014 (6) and 2013 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Kia Rio transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles; 70% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (32 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (7).
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.