What are the most common problems on the 2015 Kia Rio?

NHTSA has 52 owner complaint(s) on record for the 2015 Kia Rio. Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Kia Rio, cited in 23 of 52 filed complaints (44%).

Problems › Kia › 2015 Rio

2015 Kia Rio Problems & Owner Complaints

52 NHTSA owner complaints

4 crash 10 fire 11 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~4.3 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 14 Kia Rio years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Kia Rio, cited in 23 of 52 filed complaints (44%).

Service Brakes is next (12 complaints, 23%), followed by Electrical System (9), Air Bags (5), Engine And Engine Cooling (4).

Across all complaints, 4 report a crash, 10 report a fire, 11 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 3 crash, 6 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Rio, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 52.

Engine 23 6 fire 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONTACT'S HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BUSTED LIP, BRUISED EYE, A WHIPLASH, AND A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVE AS OF YET. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT F…”
NHTSA complaint #11286869, 2019 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“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. Bu…”
NHTSA complaint #11687911, 2025 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, HAND HEARD A POP UNDER MY HOOD. MY ENGINE AND BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND I LOST ALL POWER. AFTER POLLING OVER AND TURNING MY CAR OFF, I NOTICED A TONE OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD LATCH AND PEAKED UNDER WITH OUT OPENING THE HOOD AFTER SEEING LIGHT. I NOTICED THE FLAMES AND GRABBED MY PHONE TO CALL 911. SOON AFTER THE CAR WAS ENGULFED INFLAMES AND 3 BANGS WHERE HEARD. BOTH TIRES AND I'M GUESSING THE FUEL LINE ERUPTED. THE FRONT HALF OF MY CAR WAS NOW ABLAZE STARTING TO REACH THE INTERIOR STARTED TO BURN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTME…”
NHTSA complaint #11281705, 2019 · fire

Service Brakes 12 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S BODY STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, NECK, SHOULDER, AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL BYRD KIA (2435 E 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32405,…”
NHTSA complaint #11025330, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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. T…”
NHTSA complaint #11645607, 2025 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11603474, 2024

Electrical System 9 3 fire 2 injury

“STOPPED CAR, PUT IN PARK, TURNED ENGINE OFF, OPENED DOO, STARTED TO GET OUT, CAR BEGAN TO ROLL, ONE LEG OUT OF CAR, ONEED IN, FELL UNDER CAR, REAR WHEEL RAN OVER MY LEGS.”
NHTSA complaint #11208183, 2019 · 2 injury(ies)

“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TURNING RIGHT DECELERATING AS I TURNED. ONCE I TURNED, ACCELERATION PEDAL WAS DISENGAGED AND NO ACCELERATION WAS HAPPENING. BRAKING SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT PRESS THE BRAKES. WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP, THERE WAS VISIBLE FIRE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TEMP GAGE NEVER REGISTERED AS HIGH WHILE DRIVING. WITHIN A MATTER OF A COUPLE MINUTES, THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AS I WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO ARRIVE. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND AND DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. CAR WAS MAINTAIN…”
NHTSA complaint #11183368, 2019 · fire

Air Bags 5 3 crash 6 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS LOCKED, BUT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090), BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPL…”
NHTSA complaint #11072864, 2018 · 2 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND HIS VEHICLE ULTIMATELY HIT A TREE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE OTHER AIR BAGS DID NOT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES WHERE MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10916783, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Engine And Engine Cooling 4 2 fire

“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 loc…”
NHTSA complaint #11608150, 2024 · fire

“PURCHASED THE CAR FROM KIA DEALER ON 5/20/17 WITH LIMITED POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. HAD OIL CHANGE DONE ON 7/22/17AND AGAIN ON 10/14/17(COPIES WERE PROVIDED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY). THE SECOND ONE WAS AT THE DEALER. ON 12/8/17 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND FELT A JOLT AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. SOMEONE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. IT WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID "THE ENGINE HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE THAT LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND CAUSED OIL TO…”
NHTSA complaint #11149408, 2017 · fire

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11639547, 2023

Unknown Or Other 4 1 crash 1 fire 4 injury

“TAKARA RECALL I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR BY A SEMI DOING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH IN DOING SO MY CAR WENT INTO A SPIN AND THE BACK OF MY CAR HIT A CONCRETE BRIDGE, ON A 2 LANE INTERSTATE. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!”
NHTSA complaint #11230487, 2019 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“ON MAY 4, 2019, AT AROUND 2:15 PM I WAS DRVING AROUND 15 MILES/HR FOR 1 MILE & I STOPPED AROUND 230TH AVENUE SW & HIGHWAY 99 IN SEATTLE. I STOPPED BECAUSE I HEARD SOME ENGINE NOISES. I OPENED THE HOOD AND SOON AFTER SAW FLAMES UNDER THE ENGINE. THE FLAMES GREW BIGGER AND THE WHOLE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. I CALLED 911 AND THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE. BY 2:45, THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISED. THE COMPLETE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS BURNT.”
NHTSA complaint #11245734, 2019 · fire

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Vehicle Speed Control 3 1 fire

“'TAMARA RECALL' MY CAR DRIVE GEAR HAS TWICE SLIPPED INTO 'SHIFT GEAR... 1ST, 2ND, ALONG WITH A NOTICEABLE LOU DAY SOUND: USUALLY I PUT CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSAL, THEN DRIVE. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON; THEN 2ND TIME I NOTICE NEAR SPEED, IT SHOWED NUMBERS INSTEAD OF D FOR DRIVE. VECHILE WAS IN MOTION, I PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT. CUT CAR OFF AND STARTED CAR UP AGAIN. ALL WAS GOOD. 1ST TIME I DROVE TO GOT HOME DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.”
NHTSA complaint #11243103, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10884677, 2016

Seat Belts 2 1 crash 3 injury

Structure 2 1 crash 2 injury

“IN THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS A PLASTIC BUMPER ATTACHED TO TO THE VEHICLE AND BELOW IN FRNT OF THE ENGINE THERE IS A SKIRT ALSO PLASTIC THAT OVERLAPS WHEN PARKING HEAD ON AND DRAGS INTO THE CONCRETE SURFACE.THE PROBLES IS THAT THIS PLASTIC BUMPER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE IS PULLING AWAY THE ATTACHED AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND IS CREATING A GAP AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT TO THE BODYI HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SKIRT OVERLAPIN AND FEAR THAT BUMPER WILL COME OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME.I EXPLAIN THE BEST I COULD.THANKS”
NHTSA complaint #11012961, 2017

Fuel System 1 1 fire

Fuel/Propulsion System 1 1 fire

Power Train 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INADVERTENT SWITCH FROM AUTOMATIC TO MANUAL MODE WITH THE SLIGHTEST OF TOUCH TO THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER FAIRFIELD CADILLAC KIA NISSAN LOCATED AT 5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, (513) 682-2500 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUTOMATIC/MANUAL MODE WAS A…”
NHTSA complaint #11072464, 2015

Steering 1

“When the accessory power (not ignition) is left on for more than 5 minutes and I go to start the car WITHOUT returning the key to the off position first, the power steering WILL fail and will cease to operate. I have to turn the car off completely and then restart it to get the power steering to operate again. I am used to it now but someone that is not used to it, they will be surprised if they pull out straight and go to turn with no assistance. The power steering warning light will stay illuminated during the failure but is hard to notice as it comes on momentarily (like an oil light) when…”
NHTSA complaint #11455141, 2016

Wheels 1 1 crash 2 injury

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2015 Kia Rio draws about 4.3 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 14 among the Kia Rio model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.