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2015 Kia Rio Complaints

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

52

Total

4

Crashes

10

Fires

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

Most Reported Components

ENGINE
26
BRAKES
11
AIR BAGS
5
ELECTRICAL
3
OTHER
3

Recent Complaints

ODI #11687911Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/15/2025

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. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs

ODI #11645607Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 02/26/2025

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. The contact was unaware if a fire report had been filed. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

ODI #11639547

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 01/30/2023

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 issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11624705

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 10/12/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her son was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

ODI #11608150Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 08/05/2024

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 local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.

ODI #11603474

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 07/19/2024

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.

ODI #11600775

ENGINE — Filed 07/03/2024

Engine making noise and smelling like it’s burning. Towed to mechanic said oil was not there despite recent oil change and said sparks of metal was on oil dipstick. Now being told needs new engine after recall oiece completed and the car has less than 110k miles. Kia will not honor an engine replacement.

ODI #11584125

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE — Filed 04/18/2024

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that reimbursement for a rental vehicle would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

ODI #11581907

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 09/30/2023

My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue

ODI #11579926

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/01/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before that day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new valve cover gasket and it was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle continued with a burning oil odor. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,410.

About This Data

Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.

View on NHTSA.gov