2015 Kia Rio Complaints

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/01/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ENGINE — Filed 11/27/2019

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 FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO A LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

ENGINE — Filed 11/19/2019

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 DEPARTMENT COULD PUT THE FIRE OUT.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/04/2019

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.

STRUCTURE,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/05/2019

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!

ENGINE — Filed 06/17/2019

MY ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THERE WAS A KNOCK SENSOR ERROR DISCOVERED A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE, BUT NOTHING WAS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS IMMINENT CRITICAL DANGER.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 05/10/2019

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE — Filed 02/22/2019

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 MAINTAINED REGULARLY FOR OIL. HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING AND TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RELEASED ME. CAR IS TOTALED NOW.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — Filed 12/08/2017

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 SPILL AND CATCH FIRE." THE WARRANTY COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM AND SAID THAT IT WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND THERE WASN'T ANY OIL IN THE CAR WHICH CONTRADICTS WHAT THE DEALER SAID. WE TRIED FIGHTING IT BUT AFTER A MONTH WE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION AND REPORTED THE CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WHO TOTALED THE CAR BUT DID NOT GIVE US FULL VALUE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID IT WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE. NOW WE SEE ALL THE REPORTS ON OTHER KIA'S GOING ON FIRE AND BELIEVE OUR CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WE LOST OVER $7,000 ON THE DEAL.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 02/10/2018

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 DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AN ENGINEER STATED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE SUBFRAME WAS VISIBLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/04/2018

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2015 KIA RIO WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY SMOOTH ROAD IN A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR NO REASON. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR, AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/05/2017

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, PHONE NUMBER: (850) 872-0444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA MADE THEM INSTALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT DID NOT MEAN THAT THEY HAD TO WORK OR ILLUMINATE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,128.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/29/2015

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 09/26/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/12/2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AS WELL AS MINOR NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450.