NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
77 reports75,000 miles · Jul 7, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 10-15 mph, he heard an abnormal loud clicking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a nearby gas station, where he noticed the engine oil had spilled and the piston and the connecting rods had frac…
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The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 10-15 mph, he heard an abnormal loud clicking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a nearby gas station, where he noticed the engine oil had spilled and the piston and the connecting rods had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #11423731
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherFireInjury
On May 29th 2021 my 2016 Kia Rio engine caught on fire after multiple attempts of letting Kia know that my engine had a possible recall/detect. I was told that my car wasn’t apart of the recall list of considered on the list of the 1.6 million or billion others who’s engines have blown up as well. I have paper work/trail of rece…
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On May 29th 2021 my 2016 Kia Rio engine caught on fire after multiple attempts of letting Kia know that my engine had a possible recall/detect. I was told that my car wasn’t apart of the recall list of considered on the list of the 1.6 million or billion others who’s engines have blown up as well. I have paper work/trail of recent mechanical work/mechanics informing me with “possible recall issues as well”. Paid for an oil change May 21st, visited the mechanic and 8 days later my car was in flames at an EXXON gas station pump, literally traumatized.
NHTSA ODI #11421680
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2021
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
The air bags malfunction they didn’t go off and seatbelt didn’t lock on impact. Yes my safety was at risk. I keep calling them and they not do pick up the phone I get transferred back to the receptionist. The insurance company is doing their inspection the police as well. No warnings.
NHTSA ODI #11420741
175,264 miles · May 18, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Kia RIO. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed and excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The m…
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia RIO. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed and excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,264.
NHTSA ODI #11417660
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
I HAVE 2016 KIA RIO LX AND I BEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT FIRST IT WAS MY WIDOW SWITCH KEEP RUBBING SO I TOOK THE THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SAID IT NEEDED OIL ON IT WAS DRYOUT.NEXT I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK WHEN I PUMP GAS IN THE TANK IT KEEP REJECTING AND CLICKING AT THE PUMP LIKE IT'S FULL OF GAS AND IS NOT.THEN SOMETHING O…
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I HAVE 2016 KIA RIO LX AND I BEEN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH IT FIRST IT WAS MY WIDOW SWITCH KEEP RUBBING SO I TOOK THE THE DEALERSHIP AND THE SAID IT NEEDED OIL ON IT WAS DRYOUT.NEXT I HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK WHEN I PUMP GAS IN THE TANK IT KEEP REJECTING AND CLICKING AT THE PUMP LIKE IT'S FULL OF GAS AND IS NOT.THEN SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD BE POPPING UP EVERY NOW AND AGAIN AND SHOWING THE ESC CONTROL WHEN DRIVING.NOW THE CAR TO START SMOKING WHEN I PULL OFF ONLY AND I KEEP HAVING TO ADD OIL.
NHTSA ODI #11407270
148,000 miles · Jun 11, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
AT 148,000 MILES ON THE FREEWAY THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT GIVE ANY POWER, STILL RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT GO, STALLED A FEW TIMES. HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT, RESTART AND GO A FEW MILES, PULL OVER AND WAIT, THEN GO, ETC. COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF OIL LEFT. AFTER REPLENISHING, STILL HAD ISSUES, THEN NOTICED THE ANTI-FREEZ…
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AT 148,000 MILES ON THE FREEWAY THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT GIVE ANY POWER, STILL RUNNING BUT WOULD NOT GO, STALLED A FEW TIMES. HAD TO PULL OVER AND WAIT, RESTART AND GO A FEW MILES, PULL OVER AND WAIT, THEN GO, ETC. COME TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF OIL LEFT. AFTER REPLENISHING, STILL HAD ISSUES, THEN NOTICED THE ANTI-FREEZE WAS LOW. REPLENISHED IS NOW DRIVABLE BUT CONTINUES TO BURN OIL. NO LEAKING & I CHANGED THE PCV VALVE WITH NO RESULTS. I'M STILL ADDING CLOSE TO A QUART OF OIL EVERYDAY. HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THE PISTON RINGS AND VALVES ARE SHOT AND OIL IS CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT/INTO CYLINDERS. NOW IT'S ON ITS LAST LEG, 152,000 MILES. IT'S BEEN A GOOD RIDE BUT TIME TO GO. NOTE* A/C STOPPED WORKING AT 66,000 MILES *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328270
22,000 miles · Aug 5, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper
PROBLEMS: 1) AC STOPS WORKING AND ONLY BLOWS WARM AIR, 2) WINDSHIELD WIPERS DOES NOT WORK. BOTH FRONT AND BACK 3) FRONT LIGHTS DOES NOT WORK
NHTSA ODI #11241895
80,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Exterior Lighting
WHEN HAEDLIGHTS ARE ON AUTOMATIC AND TURN ON TURN SIGNAL AND MAKE TURN WHEN TURN SIGNAL GOES OFF AFTER MAKING TURN IT TURNS OFF HEAD LIGHTS WHEN MOVING
NHTSA ODI #11220517
Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON NOVEMBER 18, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:30PM, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHILE MOVING AROUND 30 MPH IN THE MERGING RAMP OF HWY 57 TO HWY 210 NEAR SAN DIMAS, CA AND I FILED A POLICE REPORT. THE AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE/DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI #11154895
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2018
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE HAS UNEXPECTEDLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE IN LINE AT A DRIVE THRU LOCATION IN CORPUS CHRISTI
NHTSA ODI #11142693
Official recalls
2Sep 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.
Aug 24, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
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
1AQ23002 · 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.