Kia · Rio · 2014
1
Recall
51
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2014 Kia Rio has 1 recall and 51 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (13 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January 2026 shop oil change), flashing CEL, and loud rod knock after oil starvation. Kia corporate denied all extended warranty/campaign relief on 03/18/2025, stating the powertrain warranty expired in 2019 and "no campaigns" apply. This is inconsistent and deceptive: -U.S. Litigation: Early complaints and law-firm summaries in In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (C.D. Cal., 8:18-cv-02223) and related MDL explicitly referenced 2012–2019 Kia Rios with 1.6L Gamma GDI for the exact defect (oil burn → bearing failure → seizure/fire risk). However, Kia negotiated to exclude Rios from the final E2 Class Vehicles list (see kiaengineclasssettlement.com FAQ #6), limiting relief to Souls and select others despite the identical engine family. -Canadian Precedent: The McKenzie Lake/Strosberg class action explicitly includes 2012–2017 Kia Rios with Gamma 1.6 GDI for the same issues, providing inspections/repairs—proving the defect transcends model badging. -Safety & Consumer Impact: This selective denial violates Magnuson-Moss (unreasonable warranty conditions) and constitutes deceptive trade practices, as Kia advertised these engines as reliable while knowing the failure mode. I request: immediate investigation, compelled goodwill repair (or full engine replacement), and documentation of how Kia limited Rio coverage in settlement negotiations. Attached are all supporting records.
I tried to get the parts fixed from the recall. However, when I tried to get it serviced I was adviced that the parts would take a few weeks to arrive. With an appending move to Helena, Mt from Lambertville, Mi they informed me that they would not be able to fix the recall issues. There is no KIA dealership within a reasonable distance from my current location. I am having issues with the dealership towing the rio without charging me the amount of $1300. The engine had completely stopped. I towed the car from Michigan to Montana with a Uhaul because of the recall issues.
The engine started to lose power, and the check engine light illuminated. The power drop was most noticable when accelerating from a stop. At times, randomly, the engine RPMs would dip down to 200-300 at idle and would almost stall. Upon further investigation, the engine has been excessively consuming oil. I brought the vehicle to a local mechanic shop to get a detailed diagnosis, they informed me the catalytic converter was clogged and constricting exhaust flow. The engine has developed a ticking/knock. The catalytic converter, and an O2 sensor was replaced with that visit. The ticking/knock persists.
Driving to work I exited US-26 in Hillsboro, Oregon at the 185th exit. The exit is an uphill ramp with a traffic signal at the top of the hill. The traffic signal at the end of the ramp was green. I was following a Tesla Model Y and I saw the brake lights activate. I applied my brakes causing my car to slow down and then I had to proceed through a yellow light because I did not think I could stop safely without ending in the intersection. At the next traffic signal, I rolled down my window and yelled to the other driver to not apply their brakes when they are proceeding uphill through a green light. The other driver told me it is "regenerative braking." Unnecessary braking causes disruptions in the flow of traffic. It does not make sense that brake lights would activate if the driver is not applying the brakes.
The contact owned a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). After the recall remedy was completed, the dealer provided documentation indicating that engine rods #3 and #4 were failing and could soon cause the engine to explode if not immediately repaired. Approximately 2 weeks later while the daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate and emit smoke from underneath the hood. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road and safely exit the vehicle as it caught on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled since the fire consumed it. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 133,223.
The contact owns a 2014 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 while driving 15 MPH, she noticed a burning odor and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she made a U-turn and drove back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,362. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 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, a burning odor was detected. The check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 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 made aware of the issue. 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse
PRESENTO ILUMINACION DEL MAL FUNCIONAMIENTO INDICADOR LAMPARA (MIL),ABS PRECAUCION LIGHT,BURNING/MELTING SMALL,AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN ESTOOCURRIO EL 03/08/2023, NO TENIA LA INFORMACION DEL PROBLEMA Y MANDE A REPARAR EL MOTOR $ 3,890.00.nECESITOQUE USTEDES ME AYUDEN POR ESTE PAGO. I PRESENT LIGHTING OF THE MALFUNCTIONING LAMP INDICATOR (MIL), ABS CAUTION LIGHT, BURNING/MELTING SMALL, AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN THIS HAPPENED ON 08/03/2023, I DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I SENT FOR REPAIR THE ENGINE $3,890.00.nI NEED YOU TO HELP ME WITH THIS PAYMENT.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop at the traffic light, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact engaged the electronic parking brake and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. Upon opening the hood, the contact noticed that there was smoke around the battery, and the battery cable was melting onto the battery terminal. The contact used a wet towel to stop the smoke and disconnected the battery. 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 vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Smog check came back as Cadillac converter is failing
Summer of 2021 - Code that signaled a failure of the catalytic converter. Taken to Kia to determine the issue which was confirmed to be a faulty catalytic converter that needed repair. After repairing the catalytic converter, oil began being consumed rapidly. This led to the oil light appearing roughly every two weeks. Oil was added to appropriate level when required and changed every 3000 miles. After about 3 months, a rattling noise was heard from the engine compartment. When taken to Kia dealer no issues were found. Late February of 2023 the oil light and appeared while driving on the interstate and the engine began to seize with a large knocking noise coming from the engine. Independent auto mechanic determined that the engine was failing. Car currently runs with a loud knock in the engine.
Burning excessive oil, shooting oil out of the exhaust, car has less than 48,000 miles and it’s shaky when driven feels like it will stall and turn off. Had an oil change done in October 2022 then in early December the oil warning light lit up almost out of oil, had to stop at the nearest shop car was checked and advised to have another oil change I did. but it did not help the problem persists I have to keep adding oil. I am scared to drive the car and currently taking the bus to work. I know that’s a Kia problem with excessive oil consumption.
The contact owns a 2014 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 ABS and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after inflating the tires, the ABS warning light disappeared and then later reappeared. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The contact was informed that there would be a service fee to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the vehicle was scheduled for service. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Check engine light on and off, per test says the Catalac converter
the car has 93000 miles and it started making a knocking noise from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic and told me the engine needs replace because the connecting rod was broken that there have been recalls for KIA's for this problem. I went to the KIA dealer for fix under warranty but they declined for lack of maintenance due to my first oil change was to long I did not retain my receipts. than i researched to find out the government/this sight is investigating Hyundai-KIA for this problem , the RIO was not on the original recall the case has been reopened in December to add the RIO so thats why I am here adding my car to the list.
While driving the car caught fire. A Cause & Origin inspection was performed and there is a hole in the engine block consistent with other known KIA recalls. Georgia Farm Bureau insurance claim number PA000000314316
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the engine. The contact stated that she was uncertain if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that there may be a recall on her vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that she needed a new engine and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Catalytic converter has failed at 80,000 miles
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2014 Kia Rio has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 51 owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Kia Rio.
The 2014 Kia Rio received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2014 Kia Rio are engine (13 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (5 reports), power train (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2014 Kia Rio. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.