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2014 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2014 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

31 reports with mileage · 21 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports4 injury reports

Structure complaints

6 reports
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52,050 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Air BagsStructureCrash

SIDE COLLISON WHILE DRIVING WITH NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG

NHTSA ODI #11222578

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2017
Structure

AFTER EVERY RAIN EVENT, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES WATER LEAKS IN TRUNK FROM TOP OF TRUNK AND DRIVER SIDE OF TRUNK. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL (AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRYING) TO FIND WHERE WATER IS COMING IN AT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. OBVIOUSLY, OVER TIME THE MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO BRAKE LIGHT/TAIL LIGHT WIRING, E…

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AFTER EVERY RAIN EVENT, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES WATER LEAKS IN TRUNK FROM TOP OF TRUNK AND DRIVER SIDE OF TRUNK. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL (AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRYING) TO FIND WHERE WATER IS COMING IN AT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. OBVIOUSLY, OVER TIME THE MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO BRAKE LIGHT/TAIL LIGHT WIRING, ETC.

NHTSA ODI #10970355

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2016
Structure

2014 KIA RIO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT PLASTIC GRILL DETERIORATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DETERIORATION WAS CAUSED BY SQUIRRELS BITING THE PLASTIC GRILL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER DISAGREED BY STATING, CHEAP PLASTIC WAS USED. *JB THE C…

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2014 KIA RIO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT PLASTIC GRILL DETERIORATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DETERIORATION WAS CAUSED BY SQUIRRELS BITING THE PLASTIC GRILL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER DISAGREED BY STATING, CHEAP PLASTIC WAS USED. *JB THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATED ON THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE'S INVESTIGATION. UPDATED 04/14/2017 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10876138

18,700 miles · May 24, 2016
EnginePower TrainStructureFire

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 HA…

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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 ODI #10870663

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2015
Air BagsStructureCrash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT TO REAR CAR ACCIDENT. MY KIA DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (A HONDA) STOPPED SUDDENLY. DURING THE INCIDENT MY KIA HIT THE HONDA'S REAR TWICE (TWO IMPACT MOMENTS) - AFTER THE FIRST IMPACT IN A MOMENT OF PANIC I HIT THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE HONDA O…

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT TO REAR CAR ACCIDENT. MY KIA DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (A HONDA) STOPPED SUDDENLY. DURING THE INCIDENT MY KIA HIT THE HONDA'S REAR TWICE (TWO IMPACT MOMENTS) - AFTER THE FIRST IMPACT IN A MOMENT OF PANIC I HIT THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE HONDA ONCE MORE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF (MY SAFETY CONCERN/COMPLAINT). I WAS GLAD THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF BECAUSE THE GASES THEY RELEASE AFFECT MY ASTHMA. HOWEVER, IF THERE WAS A PASSENGER WITH ME THEY MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED ON THE DASHBOARD AND I ALSO COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY THE STEERING WHEEL SINCE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY KIA WAS RUINED: THE HOOD WAS CRUMPLED, THE FRONT BUMPER CAME OFF. THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE SMASHED, AND THE FRONT SIDES OF THE BODY WERE CRACKED OUT OF PLACE. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BOX ATTACHED TO THE STEERING WHEEL AS IF IT WAS GOING TO OPEN TO RELEASE THE AIR BAGS BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH STRONGER THE IMPACT NEEDED TO BE IN ORDER TO TRIGGER THE SENSOR FOR THE AIRBAGS - THE IMPACT WAS PRETTY INTENSE. I DO HAVE IMAGES OF THE IMPACT TO MY VEHICLE IF IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA ODI #10765219

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

A 2014 KIA RIO INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC CRASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? WHY? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626031

Official recalls

1

23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 25, 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.