2014 Kia Rio Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 24 6 fire

“While driving the car caught fire. A Cause & Origin inspection was performed and there is a hole in the engine block consistent with other known KIA recalls. Georgia Farm Bureau insurance claim number PA000000314316”
NHTSA complaint #11473317, 2022 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND I NOTICE MY CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER AND ONCE I DID I REALIZE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UP UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE A 2014 KIA RIO”
NHTSA complaint #11354799, 2020 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING MY 2014 KIA RIO TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 7 AM THIS MORNING WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS UNTIL HALFWAY TO WORK WHICH WOULD BE APPROX. 30 MILES INTO MY 52 MILE DRIVE. AFTER I MADE A TURN FROM A STOP LIGHT, I NOTICED A WEIRD SMELL AS I DROVE AND DECIDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CHECK IT OUT. 1ST, I GLANCED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR, CHECKING FOR ANY OTHER CARS BEFORE I PULLED OVER, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE FOLLOWED SO QUICKLY: SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, IMMEDIATELY HITTING THE BRAKES, WHICH WERE NOT WORKING NOW, SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE, USING EMERGENCY BRAKE,…”
NHTSA complaint #11329676, 2020 · fire

Service Brakes 10 1 crash 1 fire

“The contact owned a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). After the recall remedy was completed, the dealer provided documentation indicating that engine rods #3 and #4 were failing and could soon cause the engine to explode if not immediately repaired. Approximately 2 weeks later while the daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate and emit smoke from underneath the hood. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road and safely e…”
NHTSA complaint #11592161, 2024 · fire

“UNRESPONSIVE BRAKING AND AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED IN TWO SEPARATE COLLISIONS WHERE I RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED ON CITY STREETS WHERE I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE FIRST COLLISION AND 35 MPH IN THE SECOND.”
NHTSA complaint #10950245, 2017 · crash

“The contact owns a 2014 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 while driving 15 MPH, she noticed a burning odor and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she made a U-turn and drove back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware o…”
NHTSA complaint #11562635, 2023

Air Bags 7 6 crash 2 injury

“RIO SLID TERRIBLE AFTER TRYING TO GO AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WHEN WE HIT THE TRAILER ON THE SIDE. THE AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER BAG BUSTED THE PASSENGER'S STERNUM AND A SHARP METAL PIECE APPEARS TO BE IN HER LEG AS SOME WERE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME UNHOOKED AS SHE WAS PINNED TIGHT IN THE CAR. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEFORE HE HIT US BY RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AS PASSENGER IN SHOCK. HORRIBLE CRAPPY HANDLING AND SKID WAS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. ..UPDATED 11/25/14*BF…”
NHTSA complaint #10659918, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“A 2014 KIA RIO INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC CRASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? WHY? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10626031, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“SIDE COLLISON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG”
NHTSA complaint #11222578, 2019 · crash

Power Train 6 1 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“I AM A FOOD DELIVERY DRIVER. I WAS MAKING A DELIVERY TO A REGULAR CUSTOMER. I WAS OUTSIDE HIS SIDE DOOR, TALKING. I WAS OUT OF MY 2014 KIA RIO FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 AND 1/2 TO 2 MINUTES, TALKING WITH THE CUSTOMER. SUDDENLY, I AM ON THE GROUND. I LOOK TO SEE A TIRES RUN OVER MY FOOT. THE CUSTOMER CHASED AFTER THE CAR, IT CRASHED INTOO HIS PARKED CAR. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS MY CAR THAT RAN ME OVER. WE CALLED THE OAK CREEK POLICE. BOTH THE CUSTOMER AND I BELIEVE--DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME I WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TALKING TO HIM--THAT THE CAR (WHICH WAS RUNNING) POPPED OUT OF PARK AND DRO…”
NHTSA complaint #10788852, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“THIS IS NOW MY SECOND COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2014 KIA RIO, FOR THE SAME ISSUE, HAPPENING WITHIN A SPAN OF TWO WEEKS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED ON THUR, 10/29/15. THIS SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MONDAY, 11/08/15. ONCE AGAIN, MY CAR, WHILE IT WAS RUNNING AND IN PARK, SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND INTO DRIVE. THIS TIME, I WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE FOR UP TO 4 MINUTES (INSIDE OF A DISABLED CUSTOMERS HOUSE, OUT OF SIGHT FROM TH VEHICLE). I RETURNED TO FIND MY CAR IN DRIVE. LUCKILY, AFFTER THE 10/129 INCIDENT WHERE IT SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, I HAVE EITHER BEEN SHUTTING MY VEHICLE OFF (I TRY NOT TO BECAUSE OF…”
NHTSA complaint #10790637, 2015 · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. ALTHOUGH I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT ROLLED DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, WHICH IT SET ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PRIMARILY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. I HAD NO REASON TO EXPECT THIS FIRE TO HAPPEN. A FIREFIGHTER TOLD ME IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, AND TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE.”
NHTSA complaint #10870663, 2016 · fire

Structure 6 3 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“A 2014 KIA RIO INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC CRASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? WHY? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10626031, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. ALTHOUGH I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT ROLLED DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, WHICH IT SET ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PRIMARILY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. I HAD NO REASON TO EXPECT THIS FIRE TO HAPPEN. A FIREFIGHTER TOLD ME IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, AND TO DO MY DUE DILIGENCE.”
NHTSA complaint #10870663, 2016 · fire

“SIDE COLLISON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG”
NHTSA complaint #11222578, 2019 · crash

Electrical System 5 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO WORK AND I NOTICE MY CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD AND I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER AND ONCE I DID I REALIZE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UP UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE A 2014 KIA RIO”
NHTSA complaint #11354799, 2020 · fire

“hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse”
NHTSA complaint #11573284, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INHIBITOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. ...UPDATED 11/09/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THEY OWNED A SECOND KIA RIO WITH THE SAME DEFECT. UPDATED 09/15/2017 *JS”
NHTSA complaint #10911199, 2016

Unknown Or Other 5

“Driving to work I exited US-26 in Hillsboro, Oregon at the 185th exit. The exit is an uphill ramp with a traffic signal at the top of the hill. The traffic signal at the end of the ramp was green. I was following a Tesla Model Y and I saw the brake lights activate. I applied my brakes causing my car to slow down and then I had to proceed through a yellow light because I did not think I could stop safely without ending in the intersection. At the next traffic signal, I rolled down my window and yelled to the other driver to not apply their brakes when they are proceeding uphill through a green…”
NHTSA complaint #11610720, 2024

“hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse”
NHTSA complaint #11573284, 2023

“The car has been burning oil where I have to have it changed every week. I read that California has a lawsuit on lemon law against Kia and Hyundai for burning engines and my 2014 Kia Rio is included but I don't live in California. I am requesting you to do the same thing California is doing and do a lawsuit. I have all the receipts and proof every week I have to add oil because the engine burns oil too quickly.”
NHTSA complaint #11533971, 2020

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“Catalytic converter has failed at 80,000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11423186, 2021

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE PASSENGER ON MANY OCCASIONS HAD TO BE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL DUE TO THE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10903853, 2016

“ON MANY OCCASIONS, SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS 2014 KIA RIO, IT HAS HAD A HORRIBLE, INTENSE ODOR OF GASOLINE THAT IS SO STRONG IT OVERWHELMS ANYONE NEAR IT. IT STARTS AFTER 20-30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 4 OR 5 TIMES AND THE WORKERS CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ONE ONE OCCASION, THE MECHANICS CHANGED SOMETHING CALLED THE PURGE CANISTER BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. I READ ON THE NHTSA THAT AT LEAST TWO OTHER CAR OWNERS COMPLAINED OF THE SAME. I HAVE A NEW BORN AND A 7 YEAR OLD AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR.THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS TW…”
NHTSA complaint #10870330, 2016

Wheels 2 1 crash

“WAS SIDE SWIPED ON DRIVER SIDE THE CURTAIN AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND THE ALUMINUM WHEELS SHATTERED.”
NHTSA complaint #10855178, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL APPEARED TO LEAN OUTWARD. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,011 UPDATED 6/17/14*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10584938, 2014

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1 1 fire

“HI MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE!! THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING THICK WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND WHEN WE PULLED OFF THE STREET AND OPENED THE HOOD THE CAR WAS IN FIRE. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THAT CAR. THIS WOULD BE THE 4TH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. FIRST 3 TIMES WAS FOR THE AIR CONTAINER NOT WORKING PROPERLY, EVAPORATOR AND SOME OTHER PARTS WERE REPLACED AND NOW IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. THEY SAY THE CAR IS FINE BUT I JUST DON'T FEEL SAFE ANY MORE. THIS HAPPENED 6/29/15 MY CAR IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD I BOUGHT IT 10/27/14. I AM VERY CONCERN FOR OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS SAME CAR IT IS NOT SA…”
NHTSA complaint #10731649, 2015 · fire

Exterior Lighting 1

“PRESENTO ILUMINACION DEL MAL FUNCIONAMIENTO INDICADOR LAMPARA (MIL),ABS PRECAUCION LIGHT,BURNING/MELTING SMALL,AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN ESTOOCURRIO EL 03/08/2023, NO TENIA LA INFORMACION DEL PROBLEMA Y MANDE A REPARAR EL MOTOR $ 3,890.00.nECESITOQUE USTEDES ME AYUDEN POR ESTE PAGO. I PRESENT LIGHTING OF THE MALFUNCTIONING LAMP INDICATOR (MIL), ABS CAUTION LIGHT, BURNING/MELTING SMALL, AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN THIS HAPPENED ON 08/03/2023, I DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I SENT FOR REPAIR T…”
NHTSA complaint #11555974, 2023

Seat Belts 1 1 crash 1 injury

“RIO SLID TERRIBLE AFTER TRYING TO GO AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WHEN WE HIT THE TRAILER ON THE SIDE. THE AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER BAG BUSTED THE PASSENGER'S STERNUM AND A SHARP METAL PIECE APPEARS TO BE IN HER LEG AS SOME WERE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME UNHOOKED AS SHE WAS PINNED TIGHT IN THE CAR. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEFORE HE HIT US BY RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AS PASSENGER IN SHOCK. HORRIBLE CRAPPY HANDLING AND SKID WAS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. ..UPDATED 11/25/14*BF…”
NHTSA complaint #10659918, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Steering 1 1 crash 1 injury

“RIO SLID TERRIBLE AFTER TRYING TO GO AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WHEN WE HIT THE TRAILER ON THE SIDE. THE AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER BAG BUSTED THE PASSENGER'S STERNUM AND A SHARP METAL PIECE APPEARS TO BE IN HER LEG AS SOME WERE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME UNHOOKED AS SHE WAS PINNED TIGHT IN THE CAR. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEFORE HE HIT US BY RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AS PASSENGER IN SHOCK. HORRIBLE CRAPPY HANDLING AND SKID WAS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. ..UPDATED 11/25/14*BF…”
NHTSA complaint #10659918, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SIX LANE COMMERCIAL ROAD (THREE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO BELOW 20 MPH. THE CARS AROUND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME, AND I HAD TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN THE SURROUNDING VEHICLES. I TRIED PRESSING ON THE GAS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH. HOWEVER, THE RPMS WERE GOING ABOVE THE RED LINE (ABOVE 6,000) AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY LOUD. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN MINUTES OF DRIVING. I SLOWLY MADE MY WAY TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP THE CAR AND…”
NHTSA complaint #10730764, 2015