Kia Rio Complaints (2015)

52 consumer complaints on file.

#11687911September 17, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11645607February 28, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flame jutting up from the engine. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames but did not provide details on a possible cause for the fire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be evaluated by the insurance provider. The contact was unaware if a fire report had been filed. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639547January 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the failure was caused by the catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624705November 12, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her son was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608150August 13, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the friend was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power, and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The vehicle was parked and the friend exited the vehicle and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and later towed away to a nearby towing facility. A fire and police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure and fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603474July 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11600775July 10, 2024
ENGINE
Engine making noise and smelling like it’s burning. Towed to mechanic said oil was not there despite recent oil change and said sparks of metal was on oil dipstick. Now being told needs new engine after recall oiece completed and the car has less than 110k miles. Kia will not honor an engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11584125April 19, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that reimbursement for a rental vehicle would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11581907April 9, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579926March 28, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before that day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new valve cover gasket and it was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle continued with a burning oil odor. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,410.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11578101March 18, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576831March 12, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, the steering wheel began shaking and the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. Additionally, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the speed of the vehicle increased dramatically. The vehicle then stalled and was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor and air fuel ration sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563005January 2, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557786November 30, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556647November 24, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11556453November 22, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549626October 12, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547595October 1, 2023
ENGINE
My oil light does not and has not ever notified me of my oil level being low. The engine burns oil for unknown reasons. The oil dip stick tells me my oil is full after adding two quarts of oil but it’s calls for 3.8 quarts of oil.?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543423September 8, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
My vehicle consumes oil according to my Midas repair shop. I was unaware that when I brought it in for regular servicing, the engine was almost empty of oil according to the mechanic. It had been rattling upon acceleration and lacking power set on ECO, but I ignored it. Now, I have to check and add 1/2 to 1 quart of oil every 7-10 days as the dipstick shows oil is low and also very dark. There is also an engine warning light on most of the time but it comes up as from the Catalytic Converter which I doubt. The electrical system also flashes on the dash where the a/c settings and circulation fan are on ocassion but is corrected when the temp guage is adjusted 1 click toward the warmer setting. I was notified of the lack of oil on my visit to Midas for an oli change back in April 2023. The mileage was 110,000 then. Everyone I know who has/had a Kia has had this problem and 3 have lost their engines as a result. Kia has lost my confidence because nothing was advised to owners until I found out of this common and costly issue just by chance. I wont buy another Kia now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530792July 7, 2023
ENGINE
After an oil routine change last May, my mechanic informed me that the engine had almost no oil. I had been hearing a rattle when accelerating at times and noticed the vehicle seemed to be having trouble when increasing speeds were necessary (entering higher traffic areas/highway on ramps). I had always met the scheduled oil change requirements since I bought it in 2019 but this was the first time I had been told of this. The mechanic told me that it has been known that these vehicles have this problem. I usually went to the same reputable mechanic. Now, as requested by the mechanic, I check the oil each week and find that I have to add 1 quart every 10 days or less to keep the engine from failing outright. The engine light periodically comes on and goes off again, but I was told it was possibly related to the catalytic converter. I do not feel confident driving it much longer especially on highways because of possible engine failure on very hot summer days leaving me stranded in the heat.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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