Kia Rio Complaints
1,336 consumer complaints on file.
- #10486144November 27, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
NO HEAT OR AIR, AT FIRST I COULD BUMP THE DASH AND IT WOULD COME ON, BUT NOW NOTHING. PURCHASED A NEW BLOWER MOTOR BUT STILL DOESN'T WORK. SO HAS TO BE BAD WIRES,BECAUSE NOTHING HAS POWER TO IT. I HAVE NO WAY TO DEFROST/UNFOG WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10485125November 19, 2012LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUAL DOOR LOCKS ON BOTH THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND EXIT IN THE SAME MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,599.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10483318November 4, 2012AIR BAGS, SEATS
JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 61, 230 MILES WE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND KIA WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER THEIR RECALL. KIA'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS SC097. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10475710September 17, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED SHE HAD TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN ORDER TO SEE WHY THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10472736August 28, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE STARTUP, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FAILED TO WORK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,315 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,318.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10471283August 17, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, WHEELS, TIRES, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER COMPLAINT: ODI CASE NUMBER: 10136024 COMPONENT: WHEELS GAS IGNITION? YOU TELL ME? WHEN ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LEMONS KIA-2001 DETAILS: DT: THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND A TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER THE VEHICLE STOPPED SPINNING, THE CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BURST INTO FLAMES, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND THEY SAID FIRE STARTED FROM HEAT OF POWER EQUIPMENT AND THE IGNITION BURNED. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 6, 2005. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE RECALL REGARDING THE WHEELS. THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER COMPLAINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SAME TIRE THAT THE BLEW OUT WAS THE SAME ONE THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. *JB OCCURRENCES: 1 INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 08/06/2005 DEATHS: 0 DATE ADDED TO DATABASE: 9/9/2005 [FILE] YOUR OWN COMPLAINT ON THIS MODEL CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469545August 7, 2012LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SHE HAD TO DO SO THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER DOOR SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,160.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468136July 29, 2012WHEELS
I WAS ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 65 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND. THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND SLOWED DOWN TO REACH THE NEAREST EXIT RAMP. I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND THANK GOD I HAD NO CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND AS SOON AS I REACHED THE EXIT RAMP I GOT OFF THE EXIT AND CALLED AAA. THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK BUT WHEN THE DRIVER WENT TO PUT THE CAR UP HE NOTICED THE RIGHT BACK WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND THEN CALLED FOR A FLAT BED. WHILE BEING TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WITH THE CAR ON THE FLAT BED THE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF. I LOOKED ONLINE FOR RECALLS ON MY CAR AND THERE WAS ONE ISSUED IN 4/20/2005 AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY KIA OR THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR ABOUT THIS ISSUE WHEN THE RECALL BEGAN ON 6/22/2005. I AM WORRIED NOW THAT I MAY HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH KIA MOTORS SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME ON. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10465265July 11, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN WE PULLED UP TO THE RED LIGHT, THE IDLE STOP AND GO SYSTEM ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND, AS WE WERE ON A DOWNSLOPE, WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN ROLLING INTO THE INTERSECTION. UNFORTUNATELY THE GO PART DIDN'T WORK AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T RESTART. THE LIGHT HAD TURNED RED AGAIN BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT THAT I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT WITH THE KEY. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466101July 11, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DEFECTIVE ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING SYSTEM THIS VEHICLE, 2013 KIA RIO, 1.6L GDI, 6-SPEED MANUAL, DOES NOT HAVE A COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. IT SUPPOSEDLY RELIES ON ONE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INDICATE AN OVERHEATED ENGINE, A LIGHT WHOSE CORRECT OPERATION CANNOT BE VERIFIED. THIS SUPPOSED ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING LIGHT NEVER COMES ON DURING THE LIGHT BULB CHECK PHASE, SO THAT THE OPERATION OF ITS LIGHT BULB CANNOT BE VERIFIED. NOTE THAT THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS, OIL PRESSURE, BRAKES, ETC COME ON DURING THIS PHASE AND THEIR WARNING SYSTEMS CAN BE VERIFIED. IF THE OVERHEAT LIGHT BULB FILAMENT BURNS OUT (THIS FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WITH ANY BULB), THEN THE DRIVER IS NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE TO VERIFY THE BULBS OPERATION, AND THIS ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING SYSTEM BECOMES USELESS AS THERE CANNOT BE ANY WARNING INDICATION EVER GIVEN TO THE DRIVER IF THE ENGINE DOES OVERHEAT. A LIKELY RESULT OF THIS DEFECTIVE ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING SYSTEM MAY BE A VEHICLE CRASH AT HIGH SPEED, WHEREBY THE DRIVER IS NEVER GIVEN AN OVERHEATED ENGINE WARNING IF ITS WARNING SYSTEMS LIGHT BULB BURNS OUT, THE ENGINE SHATTERS FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT, THE HOOD AND ENGINE FLUIDS FLY INTO THE WINDSHIELD BLOCKING THE DRIVERS VIEW, THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND THE KIA VEHICLE CRASHES OFF THE ROAD OR INTO OTHER VEHICLES. THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS THE 2013 KIA RIO, AND ALSO 2012 AND POSSIBLY 2011 KIA RIOS AS WELL.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10464002July 2, 2012AIR BAGS
THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO, AND WHEN I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME TO SEARCH FOR THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM...I HEARD OF A RECALL ON THE KIA RIO AIRBAGS ON NHTSA AND I CALLED KIA TO ASK TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN SO THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THAT VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN UNLESS I PAID TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT!!! *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10460548June 4, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE REAR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND SHOULDERS AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,980.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10460156May 31, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10459179May 21, 2012ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN BUT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE COASTED INTO AN ALLEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING WIRES. SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE HOOD ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS RESTRAINED BY THE SEAT BELT AND SUFFERED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. BOTH THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER SUCCESSFULLY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT SPARKS AND FLAMES WERE SEEN UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO AN AUCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10458850May 17, 2012ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE BELT TENSIONER BENT AND CAUSED THE BELT TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457659May 7, 2012AIR BAGS
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE A 2006 KIA RIO LX AND AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR AND IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING CONSUMER REPORTS ON THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE KIA OPTIMA AIRBAGS FOR THAT YEAR BUT NOT FOR THE RIO LX. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND GET BACK TO ME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457019May 1, 2012AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000. UPDATED 05/31/12*LJ
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455798April 19, 2012STRUCTURE
THE BREAK PEDAL & GAS PEDAL ARE SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER & ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT LEVEL THAT WHEN YOU APPLY THE BREAKS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN YOU SPEED UP, THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, BEEN LUCKY TO AVOID A CRASH,, BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHERS NOT SO LUCKY, THE GAS & BREAK PEDAL NEEDS AT LEASE 4 INCHES OF CLEARANCE SO NOT TO HAPPEN. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455565April 17, 2012AIR BAGS
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OBD SCAN INDICATED "FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR" FAILED. DEALERSHIP WANTS $800 BUCKS PLUS TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR. WITHOUT IT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY FOR FRONT PASSENGER. HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND OTHERS HAVE INDICATED IT JUST GOES OUT AGAIN. I WILL NOT PAY THIS!!!! *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10454667April 10, 2012SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE RAMP. WHEN THE CONTACT EMERGED FROM THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FRACTURED COMPLETELY FROM THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,400.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0