2012 Kia Rio Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 23 7 fire

“Waiting to get air in my tire. Car was turned off and the car started fire under the hood.”
NHTSA complaint #11716009, 2026 · fire

“Car started running oddly pulled over went to restart and Fire came up an engine compartment”
NHTSA complaint #11519567, 2023 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED AND FLAMES STARTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALL OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT INJURIES. THE FLAMES QUICKLY ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WITHIN SECONDS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE A REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE AND OFFERED A LOW BOOK VALUE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WA…”
NHTSA complaint #11318387, 2020 · fire

Air Bags 12 2 crash 3 injury

“WE RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLL AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOOK, PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HEAD AND DRIVER HIT HIS CHEST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND HURT CHEST. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10493304, 2013 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN (LIKE THEY ALMOST MISSED THE STREET AND TRIED TO COMPENSATE LAST MINUTE) I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SEATBELT DIDN'T CATCH, NOR DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOY, AND MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CHIN FIRST.”
NHTSA complaint #10860642, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The airbag warning light illuminated on the dashboard and has stayed on permanently. This indicates a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system (SRS). Because the warning light is active, there is a severe safety risk that the airbags may not deploy correctly or at all in the event of a crash, putting the driver and passengers at risk of serious injury. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request”
NHTSA complaint #11740497, 2026

Fuel/Propulsion System 7

“Our granddaughter bought this car from a private seller. My son is a mechanic and when he inspected the undercarriage he found a small leak in the seam of the gas tank. The local KIA dealer said it is not covered. This, to me, is a safety and emissions issue. Please assist. The car is available at any time for inspection. Thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11603120, 2024

“2012 KIA RIO, NOT CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO ANY RECALL, AND HAVING BEEN MAINTAINED CORRECTLY, IS EXPERIENCING DANGEROUS LEVELS OF OIL CONSUMPTION. CURRENT MILAGE 108,000. TWO WEEKS AGO I SENT THE ATTACHED LETTER VIA CASE TO KIA CONSUMER CUSTOMER AFFAIRS SEEKING SAFETY ADVICE FROM THE COMPANY RELATING TO THE ISSUE. KIA NEVER RESPONDED, OPTING TO CLOSE THE CASE WITHOUT A WORD REGARDING THE ISSUE. OIL CONSUMPTION IS VERY HIGH, AND EFFECTING ENGINE PERFORMANCE. I ASSUME THE ONLY RECOURSE IS TO HAVE THE ENGINE TAKEN APART AND EXAMINED, A COSTLY REVIEW, HOWEVER DUE TO LACK OF RESPONSE FROM KIA I…”
NHTSA complaint #11384228, 2020

“BRIEF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL ALONG WITH ENGINE OVERSPEED POSSIBLY DUE TO DIRTY ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN CONNECTOR AT ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY -- RESTORED PROPER OPERATION VIA FLUSHING OF ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN CONNECTOR WITH 100% ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL AEROSOL SPRAY -- VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN INTO A CROWDED PARKING LOT AT THE TIME -- BRAKES WERE EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING THE SPEED UNDER CONTROL -- HAD TO SHUT ENGINE OFF WHILE IN DRIVE IN ORDER TO KEEP IT FROM OVERSPEEDING -- ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING AND CAR HAD BEEN IN MOTION FOR PREVIOUS 45 MINS WITHOUT PROBLEMS”
NHTSA complaint #11280801, 2019

Electrical System 6 3 fire

“DRIVING CAR AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. GOT OUT ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY LIFTED HOOD AND EVERYTHING WAS ON FIRE. PEOPLE ASSING BY ALONG WITH HERO AND FIRE DEPT MADE SURE FLAMES WERE PUT OUT . I NEVER MADE ANY MODIFICATION TO VEHICLE AND WE KEEP IT SERVICED. FEEL LIKE PROBLEMS ARE WITH MANUFACTURE WIRING. I HAVE DONE INSURANCE CLAIM AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURE. THE MILES ARE APROX 102K”
NHTSA complaint #10903822, 2016 · fire

“MY 2012 KIA RIO CAUGHT FIRE THE OTHER DAY. I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO PUT MY LAPTOP DOWN. I HAD SHUT THE CAR OFF. CAME BACK OUT TO GRAB SOME STUFF FROM THE TRUNK AND THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM THE HOOD. THOUGHT IT HAD OVERHEATED. PULLED HOOD RELEASE AND WENT TO OPEN THE HOOD WHEN I REALIZED FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AREA. TRIED PUTTING THE FIRE OUT WITH A GARDEN HOSE & WAS INSTRUCTED BY 911 TO GET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. CAR ENDED UP BURSTING INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME AND EXTINGUISH. CALLED KIA AND THEY ARE TAKING THEIR TIME AT RES…”
NHTSA complaint #10565984, 2014 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10472736, 2012 · fire

Service Brakes 6

“The airbag warning light and the ABS warning light turned on simultaneously while driving. This is a severe safety hazard as both critical, life-saving safety features are currently compromised. I have already contacted Kia Customer Care regarding this issue, but I am filing this official complaint with the NHTSA to ensure a proper safety investigation is documented for this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11740746, 2025

“The contact owns a 2012 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11583676, 2024

“The contact's sister owns a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that when her sister started the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11574695, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 6 1 crash 1 injury

“CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, RPM'S REVVING WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SLOW DOWN SO HAD TO STEER CAR INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE THE ACCIDENT DOING THE SAME THING(RPM'S REVVING) IN PARK OR REVERSE OR ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN WITHOUT PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. TOOK IN FOR REPAIR AND 4 DAYS LATER WAS IN THE ACCIDENT. KIA DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED WHILE DRIVING IT OR PERFORMING INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THEIR RESULTS, CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED RANDOMLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEE…”
NHTSA complaint #10959673, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the RPMs was rising to the red line immediately. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was transmission maintenance needed on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure continued. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer and the towing technician noticed that the accelerat…”
NHTSA complaint #11446443, 2020

“MY PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO ANOTHER POST ON THIS WEBSITE. MY CAR WOULD REV HIGH ON THE RPMS WHEN STARTING IT WHILE IN PARK AND I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MY TOE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL TO STOP IT AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPEATED IF IT WAS STILL DOING IT WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING, OTHERWISE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS PUSHING FORWARD. I NOTICED THIS HAPPED MORE OFTEN THE NEXT DAY IF THE CAR WAS PARKED QUICKLY EARLIER, (BUT NOT ALWAYS) AND ALSO HAPPENED MORE WITH LESS MILES ON THE CAR WHEN I FIRST GOT THE ONE OWNER USED CAR AT A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WITH LESS THAN 12000 MILES. HAD A ISSUE WITH IT WHEN AT A 3 WAY INT…”
NHTSA complaint #10872511, 2016

Unknown Or Other 4 1 fire

“DRIVING CAR AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. GOT OUT ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY LIFTED HOOD AND EVERYTHING WAS ON FIRE. PEOPLE ASSING BY ALONG WITH HERO AND FIRE DEPT MADE SURE FLAMES WERE PUT OUT . I NEVER MADE ANY MODIFICATION TO VEHICLE AND WE KEEP IT SERVICED. FEEL LIKE PROBLEMS ARE WITH MANUFACTURE WIRING. I HAVE DONE INSURANCE CLAIM AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURE. THE MILES ARE APROX 102K”
NHTSA complaint #10903822, 2016 · fire

“I went to the Kia dealership in Laredo Texas and was told that they cannot fix the fault, that my vehicle has had an aftermarket parts, that they are not going to fix the HECU. That they don't fix vehicle with aftermarket parts.”
NHTSA complaint #11677382, 2025

“I HAVE A 2012 KIA RIO AND OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS THE OIL LIGHT SPONTANEOUSLY COMES ON AND TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT INTO A KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID A CONSUMPTION TEST WHICH INDICATED THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. I WAS TOLD I NEED A BRAND NEW ENGINE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW, CURRENTLY HAS 112K MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED ME NOTHING. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR A BRAND NEW ENGINE WITH A 6M /12M WARRANTY COSTING ME $3900 / $4400 FOR REPAIR OR AN ENGINE W 95K MILES FOR $3600 / $3900 FOR REPAIR. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT AND THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TO JUST…”
NHTSA complaint #11144971, 2018

Seat Belts 3 2 crash 3 injury

“WE RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLL AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOOK, PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HEAD AND DRIVER HIT HIS CHEST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND HURT CHEST. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10493304, 2013 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN (LIKE THEY ALMOST MISSED THE STREET AND TRIED TO COMPENSATE LAST MINUTE) I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SEATBELT DIDN'T CATCH, NOR DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOY, AND MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CHIN FIRST.”
NHTSA complaint #10860642, 2016 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THE SEAT BELT WOULD OFTEN LOCK UP WHEN ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGER, WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE OCCUPANTS FROM MOVING. ALSO, THE SEATBELT WOULD OFTEN LOCK UP IN THE RESTING POSITION, WHICH WOULD PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM PUTTING ON THE SEATBELT UPON ENTERING THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE SEATBELT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10495212, 2012

Wheels 2

“4 TIRES WITH ONLY 17,000 MILES ON THEM, HAVE RUBBER DRY ROT CRACKS ON SIDEWALLS AND ALWAYS NEED ALL 4 TIRES AIR ADJUSTED BACK UP OVER SHORT TIME, AND ALWAYS LOOK DINGY DIRTY FROM ROAD DIRT IN CRACKS ON SIDEWALL. SAFETY HAZARD ? KUMHO SOLUS KH25 DOT YOAH YPL8 (5111 ) 185\65R15 ALL 4 TIRES SAME DOT. CAR KEPT GARAGED AND HARDLY DRIVEN SINCE PURCHASED NEW. TIRES SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS. I CONTACTED COMPANY BUT NOT REPLYING TO PHONE CALLS AND I SENT EMAILS ? I NOTICED SAME BRAND BEING REPLACED BY COMPANY WITH BIGGER SIZE SAME PROBLEM RECALL ? UPDATED 12/01/15*LJ *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10787208, 2015

“THE REAR END OF THE CAR MAKES A WEIRD WHOP WHOP SOUND WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I HAVE BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO CHARPER THEY TOLD ME ALL THE KIA RIOS DO THIS. I FEAR THAT A REAR WHEEL IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY COME OF OR BLOW SOMETHING. CANT EVEN PUT WINDOWS DOWN WHEN DRIVING IT SOUNDS LIKE A HELICOPTER IS LANDING ON THE ROOF IT IS THAT BAD. HURTS YOUR EARDRUMS. HAPPENS NO MATTER WHAT DRIVING CONDITION.”
NHTSA complaint #10893470, 2012

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“I WAS DRIVING AND CHECH ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . I HAD IT TESTED AND IT WAS THE KNOCK SENOR. I LOOKED IT UP AND THEIR WAS A RECALL I PURCHASED THE CAR 9/02/2019”
NHTSA complaint #11351526, 2020

Engine And Engine Cooling 1 1 fire

“The contact owns a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact stated that after the niece had park and exited the vehicle smoke and flames were present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The fire department was called to scene to extinguish the flames. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that prior to the incident the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption but no assistance was offered from local dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11470688, 2022 · fire

Fuel System 1

“THE FUEL HOSE VENT LINE LEAKED FUEL INTO BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE WHILE FUELING, TAKEN TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT KIA SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND I SPILT GAS ON THE SEAT. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10454062, 2012

Suspension 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRES BECAME WORN PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A BENT SPINDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 08/21/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH SPINDLES AND THE STABILIZER BAR WERE BENT. THE BEARINGS WERE NOT RIDING TRUE ON THE SPINDLE. UPDATED 08/26/2014 *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10587826, 2011