Kia Rio Complaints (2020)

27 consumer complaints on file.

#11760758August 30, 2026
SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that initiated the fire has not yet been determined. Based on the circumstances, I am concerned about a possible vehicle electrical or mechanical failure, but I do not want to speculate as to the cause without investigation reports. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a salvage/inspection facility. I am currently determining whether it remains available for inspection. Safety risk: The vehicle caught fire while parked without an apparent external cause. The fire became extensive enough to destroy the passenger compartment and vehicle. This created a significant fire hazard to nearby vehicles, property, and people. Had the vehicle been parked in a garage or other enclosed area, or had someone been inside or near the vehicle when the fire began, the potential consequences could have been severe. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem has not been reproduced by a Kia dealer or independent repair facility. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and declared a total loss. Inspections: Boise Fire Department responded to the vehicle fire. Progressive Insurance subsequently inspected/handled the vehicle and classified the loss as a non-collision total burn/total loss. I have requested the complete Boise Fire Department records and additional records from Progressive concerning any investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Kia has not yet inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. Warnings/symptoms before the fire: There were no warning lights, messages, smoke, unusual odors, electrical problems, noises or any other symptoms I was aware of. No after market electronics or anything.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725043March 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690648September 30, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Upon stopping at a red light and or stop sign, when applying brakes, the car continues to move forward, even after pumping the brakes. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a certified auto mechanic. The findings and recommendation for the Brake Master Cylinder to be the reason the vehicle continues to creep forward, when brake are applied and held. This issue has on two separate occasions near collision, because the vehicle wouldn't stop.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11665742June 9, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11653010April 6, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I went into a rural King store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door frame of the passenger side of the front seat where the wiring is there was a whole melted all the way through that panel and you could see the wiring was exposed so I assume that the wiring had caught on fire. I'm not sure about this it has been looked at and it is at Jeff Wilder Toyota in Clarksville Indiana. They want me to pay $1,000 deductible for this but I feel like if it was a wiring issue key is should be responsible. I am going through a flood right now in my home and now I have to deal with that and I don't think I'm even responsible for the payment I think he is at the cover it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647263March 9, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I came out of a store last week and there was smoke inside my car and when I opened the door there was a hole down by the door frame on the passenger side that it burned all the way through to the frame of the car and now my lights are flashing on and off and sometimes a passenger headlight works sometimes the driver had light works but it's either one or the other it's doing all kinds of crazy stuff with the lights now I'm thinking it has to be in the electrical fire because it got hot enough to melt all the way through the plastic part of the bottom of my door I do have pictures
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622150October 27, 2024
ENGINE
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. My wife and I recently was admitted to Parkland hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning levels of tests taken at the hospital blood gas tests were above level 9 for carbon monoxide poisoning. My level was 13. So now we're having to drive our 2020 rio s with the windows down and the ac vents closed. To keep from getting carbon monoxide poisoning again!! Please help us get these 2 SAFETY RECALL ISSUES FIXED. We cannot afford it out of pocket. Kia Should honor their recalls. vehicle owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11545350September 19, 2023
ENGINE
When I first purchased the car less than 90 days the engine light came on rook back to the dealership and notified Kia they didn't know why the engine light came on they said just drive it then I later told then engine light came on again and it act to over heat they said they had no signs when they did a diagnostic test they. I reported when the ac is on the engine light comes on and the car hesitates as if to stall they still saying they see nothing to indicate any problems there is problems also the back up camera stopped working the Kia customer service representative suggested to take it to another dealership the car has been to 2 different dealerships Langdale Kia Valdosta Georgia and Roundtree Moore Lake city Florida
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11543523September 9, 2023
STEERING, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES
I believe my Kia Rio S falls victim to the recall 2020 Kia Rio models have faced. Brake performance has been severely degraded on my vehicle over the past few weeks despite doing all recommended maintenance. When I first got my 2020 Kia Rio S I could brake with 5% pressure applied to the brakes, now it takes about 25-30% pressure and it seemingly is increasing every day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they advised me it would be a $2000 service charge minimum.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11542585September 5, 2023
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My vehicle driver rear window was broken, steer column and stolen case # [XXX] I also own a vin # [XXX] and [XXX] . Please contact me [XXX] [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
#11537330August 9, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car acted like it haD a dead battery. This happened once before and after about 10 minutes when I tried starting it it started with no problems. this happened a couple of months the ago. This time, as I was sitting in the car the seat belt light came on but I couldn't wait for the issue to resolve.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11533629July 21, 2023
ENGINE
I was driving at just over 20,000 miles, when cylinder 4 decided to go out of the bottom of my engine. They had to put a completely brand new motor in my car. So, what's stopping it from doing it again. There's other cars listed in a Kia/Hyundai settlement, but the Kia Ria is not listed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521447May 10, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION
There has not been an incident yet but i don’t know who else to talk to. I am a FedEx Delivery driver and driver the largest Delivery truck made for FedEx and am fine with it ask day. However, the steering on my car is down right dangerous. My car drifts all over the road. It is ten times harder to keep my little cat on the road than my big work truck. So hard in fact that i have resorted to this. I am a good driver never even a ticket so i know how to drive. It’s not my driving please listen when i tell you something is WAY wrong with the steering or suspension or both on this vehicle. Just drive one and you will see very quickly what i am saying i promise!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486648September 27, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The Passenger Headlight has water inside it, and water vapor. The connections for the light blubs is corroding.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464361May 12, 2022
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462852April 30, 2022
ENGINE, WHEELS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
3
#11446245January 4, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
marker lights on the right side won't work both went off line and licence light same side is out same time and bulbs ,fuse replaced and still not working the kia service will not fix in kia of manharttan in kansas andi have 68,000 miles and they didn't offer a basic warrantty to be long when online for my my car and suppose to be under warranty for 110;00
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11445666December 30, 2021
AIR BAGS
Rear ended a car at 60 mph on black ice and the air bags did not deploy
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11426190July 23, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My Kia Rio 2020 had the check engine light come on today. The engine coolant temperature gauge went all the way to the Hot mark. The car is one year old and and has 60093 miles on it. The dealership Demontrond Kia refused to repair it under warranty. I called Kia corporate and was told the same thing. This is unacceptable. My expectation is that they will repair this issue for no cost. As all maintenance has been done at the dealership. I have not noticed any fluid leaks nor have I been told when at the dealership about any fluid loss.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425950July 22, 2021
POWER TRAIN
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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