Kia Rio Complaints

38 consumer complaints on file.

#11758462August 21, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My ABS system goes in and out making my breaks really unsafe especially going downhill. Cruise control goes at whatever speed it wants. I set it for 73 on the interstate which has a speed limit of 70 and I look down and my car is SET to 73 BUT my actual gage is going up into the 80's! I use my cruise to keep me from getting tickets... And my cruise in this car isn't helping. I selected other. Because sometimes my radio screen does not work. & Sometimes it comes on but when I put my car in reverse my screen goes off. I rely on my screen to hear my phone calls because I'm deaf & I also have dementia so it's mandatory that I can see my map in my car to know where I'm going. Sometimes I don't remember my way home. That's how important it is. Please look into these. Thank you Concerned customer. [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723220March 10, 2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact heard an abnormally loud bang and believed that the vehicle had been struck in the rear by an object. The contact opened the trunk and became aware that the trunk shocks had become detached from the latch. The contact was able to open and close the trunk lid, but the lid failed to remain open after being raised. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised the contact that the trunk latch spring had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the spring and latch mechanism were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11707375December 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Back up camera sometimes flips sides, so that obstacles on the right side of the car are shown on the left side of the camera screen. Sometimes the camera doesn't work at all.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699195November 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Paint peeling. Took a month to have the dealer /warranty repair the roof in July 2025. Then in Sept 2025 have 2 more areas doing the same thing. Reached back out to dealer end of Sept then mid Oct following up find out service person is gone, start over with new service person, follow up early Nov, again mid Nov and find out that service person is gone. Contact manager and he wants us to start over again with him. Need to send car out for quotes to give to warranty even though this has already been repaired once and we were told this is a known issue. Now trying to go through a Kia dealer that has a body shop on site to try and get warranty approval and repair done before vehicle hits 36K even though this should be covered regardless (and purchased extended warranty but also not covered)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11683479August 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While attempting to raise the passenger side window slightly, the automatic window mechanism malfunctioned. Instead of stopping when lightly engaged, the window rolled all the way up and trapped my right wrist between the glass and the frame. When I pressed the window down button, the window continued to roll upward, increasing the pressure on my wrist. I was unable to release my hand on my own and had to call for assistance to pry my wrist free. This put my safety at risk by causing a crush injury to my wrist. The vehicle’s anti-pinch safety feature did not activate. The issue has not yet been reproduced or inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. No warning lights, messages, or other indicators were displayed prior to the incident. The component is available for inspection upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11679724August 10, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I’ve been hearing this rattle noise mostly when I crank the vehicle. I took it to go get checked out and they heard it when I first brought it in for them to check. But when they got it to the back for mechanic to listen for it, of course it didn’t do it. They kept my car a whole day to try n find the issue/hear the noise and was unsuccessful. I’ve been told that it could possibly have something to do with the car timing or something with the engine. My car only has 34000 miles on it and it’s making this noise. They won’t approve me to trade it in or anything to help fix the problem or get me in something better.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665837June 9, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the rearview camera would intermittently turn on while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that while in reverse(R), the camera would intermittently display a blank or distorted image. Recently, the contact stated that the rear-view camera had failed to operate as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that the head unit would need to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and was given an estimate for the repair. As a result of the camera failure, the contact stated that while backing out of a parking spot, she crashed into a parked vehicle located in her blind spot. No injuries were reported and a police report was not filed; however, the contact did state that she suffered mental anguish as a result of the incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11660866May 14, 2025
STEERING
Steering Gear Assembly completely broke at 81,000 miles. My daughter was backing up in a busy street at 5pm and lost 100 percent of steering control. Lucking cars dodged her and she didn’t get hurt or worse.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11652873April 4, 2025
STEERING
The vehicle has difficulty following a center line, higher than normal steering wheel input is required. Feels like the vehicle is being driven in strong crosswinds at any speed above 55 MPH. The vehicle is very, very difficult to keep centered when crosswinds are present. The steering wheel input feels sticky and not smooth at any speed above 40 MPH. A 4-wheel alignment revealed a 0.3 degree of toe mis-adjustment on the RR wheel, no adjustment settings are present. Remaining wheels were within specs. No adjustment for the electronic steering assist. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with the Highline TPMS, however, it is not displayed on the LCD. Dealer and Kia Corp. states it should display, however no fix is available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11644932February 25, 2025
ENGINE
When my car is running it makes a knocking noise from engine I have taken it th the dealer they heard it but said they can figure out where it's coming from. The engine runs hotter than normal. The rods I think are the cause
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11626919November 22, 2024
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624698November 12, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
When traveling 60 mph and slowing to try to stop, brake pedal went all the way to the floor and vehicle would not brake. Had to engage emergency brake to stop vehicle during normal operation on multiple occasions. Once while stopped at a red light, vehicle was completely stopped, then the brake pedal lowered to the floorboard and the vehicle started rolling forward. I had to turn the steering wheel and engage the emergency brake to avoid colliding with traffic. No dashboard lights came on, no warning lamps or messages. No other symptoms. I went to the Kia Dealership immediately. There was a hole in my front brake line and all of the fluid had leaked out. Vehicle was less than 2 years old, less than 100,000 miles on it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588832May 15, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The windshield wipers only work consistently on the last two settings. When you push the wiper gear down to the initial setting where you can adjust the speed with the dial, it struggles to move or doesn’t move at all. I can hear the wiper gear trying to lift the wipers, but nothing happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584683April 23, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, 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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575186March 3, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This is neither a failure nor a malfunction but on several occasions I have had the light switch turn off at night while driving. I can reach over and push a button to the left of the steering wheel under the ac/heat vent and in doing so my arm has rolled the headlight switch off. I have to hurry up and turn them back on. The switch should lock somewhat in place as to take a purposeful twist for it to turn. The headlight switch turns too easy and it could cause an accident at night.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566798January 21, 2024
SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STEERING
Hi [XXX] I just collected my Kia Rio from service at LaFontaine. On driving in the freeway I noticed I had to make frequent adjustments to the steering when going straight and there was oversteering (minor tilt of the steering wheel result in exaggerated larger turn of the car). This does not happen when driving at lower speed outside of the freeway. I will monitor this as I am not sure if this was because I was switching between cars and/or that particular stretch of road is slippery. According to the technicians the alignment is back to spec so I will let you know if this issue persists as I drive the Rio more in the coming days. Hi Team The car veers to the left when driving with steering wheel straight. Tested in a clear non wet road. Please advise on next step. When driving on freeway there are over steering and understeering issues. Extremely dangerous. Yours sincerely [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563553January 4, 2024
STEERING, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hi [XXX] My Kia Rio 2023 S vin number is [XXX] . Bought a couple months back new at Summit Place Kia Auburn Hills michigan. Once I drive off I realised the steering wheel alignment is off. The car does not drive straight when steering wheel is straight. I called my salesman and he asked me to bring it in for servicing at Summit Place. They did a wheel alignment there and found misalignment at factory condition. A few months later the same issue got worse and was noticeable again when driving. I called my salesman and he told me bringing it into service will incur a service charge as this issue is not under warranty. However, I believe this constant misalignment is from a manufacturing defect causing safety issue and you could access the servicing records that said the wheel alignment was already off at the first emergency servicing. I have also made sure all my tire pressures are topped up to the recommended pressures Kindly advise and rectify this road safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11559707December 12, 2023
SEAT BELTS
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the vehicle failed to sound a seat belt warning chime to indicate that the passenger’s side seat belt was not buckled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11555136November 14, 2023
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540589August 24, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Center Console Display blank (screen black) upon startup unable to see cameras and backing up affected creating safety concern.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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