This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Check engine light comes on. I pull the code of p050a. I looked that up and there is a Techincal Service Bulletin, from Kia on this problem of Cold start idle air control system performance. Kia only put out a recall on the Kia Soul and not the Kia Rio. They have the exact same engine and computer with the 1.6L. The bulletin list both vehicle but the recall is only for the 1 vehicle. I was told by Kia dealer sorry to fix this I would have to pay to reprogram the computer. Kia originally was replacing the throttle body on the engine than decided because of cost, to reprogram the computer.
Will not start early morning, use about 3 quart oil a week, before warranty ran out Kia dealer check out and said to drive it another 900 miles, which made no sense, and bring back in Then they said it was out of warranty, what a scam Kia dealership is.they had overfill oil level 3 times before this problem
2012 Kia Rio, not currently subject to any recall, and having been maintained correctly, is experiencing dangerous levels of oil consumption. Current milage 108,000. Two weeks ago I sent the attached letter via case to Kia consumer customer affairs seeking safety advice from the company relating to the issue. Kia never responded, opting to close the case without a word regarding the issue. Oil consumption is very high, and effecting engine performance. I assume the only recourse is to have the engine taken apart and examined, a costly review, however due to lack of response from Kia I haven't yet; I was hoping they could coordinate through either a dealer or 3rd party investigator. Currently the car is not being used, as this anomalous issue is a concern for safety when driving. Considering the recent recall, as well as how the symptoms align with previously recorded issues to similar engines, I wished to create this report, if only to add my case to NHTSA's accounts. Thank you for your time joseph elliott
I recently purchased my vehicle and immediately noticed what seems to be oil coming from the engine, pooling on top of the block but also leaking onto the ground after being parked for an hour or so. The walls around the engine, mainly on the left side or passenger side were saturated with presumably the same fluid. Under the car is also saturated from what I am guessing to be a leak, perhaps the same leak from atop the engine block. I've had the car repaired and paid for a system fault diagnostic, and in both cases haven't received any helpful info as to what it is, the cause or where the leak is coming from, or how to treat it. I very recently had the oil changed and the invoice showed a comment stating that my car appears to be leaking oil. There was no further commentary. I fear that my Kia Rio may be dangerous to drive for reasons such as a fire hazard or breakdown from overheating possibly resulting in leaving me on the side of a highway, stranded. Also the A/C and heater do not operate as they should. The panel controls are out of whack and neither A/C or heat perform in sync with the commands. A mechanic has said this appears to be due to electrical issues, possibly with the main computer, though the systems fault diagnostics was performed after the mechanic informed me of this, and seeing that I was charged for that service I can only assume that the main computer is doing what it is meant to do, relaying the info to the tech's computer. I just don't know if I have a good car that needs a lot of work or if I'm driving a deathtrap. No recalls for this vehicle but I see a lot of Kia's vehicles being recalled. And I believe they no longer make the Kia Rio. Just at a loss as to what is happening and what to do about it. Times are tough financially or I would definitely have more proper detailed info to give, that or have a good running car...
- El Cajon, CA, USA
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I can not believe I took this much time to actual file a complaint on the following problems on my Kia. My 2012 Kia Rio sx hatchback has been burning oil since it reached the 70,000 mile mark. I have all receipts and records for every oil change since I bought the car new back in late 2011. Oil has been changed every 3,000/4,000 miles on this vehicle. No leaks have been found by my local valvoline shop and it continues to burn oil now at its current odometer reading of 113,000 miles. The oil level now reaches the last dotted line on the oil metal reader stick (low mark) every 300 to 400 miles. I have to add oil 8 to 10 times between oil changes. No oil light has ever turned on. My driver airbag light has turned on and have no idea why. It first turned on June of 2018 and it has not turn off since then. The vehicle has not been involved in any accidents at all since I bought new.
I'm at 96K miles. The mechanic pulls codes for the airbags. They are showing a defect and the reason is unknown. I'm also hearing a rattling in the engine. We are discovering it is common in Kia Rio and the reason Kia gives is we are getting our oil changes done at places other than them. I used only experienced, licensed mechanics. The issue continues to go undiagnosed as to know if the engine will catch fire causing death or injury. The car is not safe. A fix need forced.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact stated while her son was driving at 30 mph, white smoke appeared and flames started from the engine compartment. Fire in the engine compartment the vehicle was destroyed the driver pulled over to the side of the road and all occupants were able to exit without injuries. The flames quickly engulfed the entire vehicle within seconds. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police a report was filed. The manufacturer stated they would investigate and offered a low book value to replace the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 155,000.
Loss of RPM in cars tachometer during driving, then loss power, then car stalled at idle. Now the car doesn't start (work) anymore during ignition. Car now totally failed to start.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, when depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 mph. The contact stated the vehicle began to hesitate and made an abnormal noise. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for 10 minutes before continuing to drive. However, he continued to experience the failure and saw smoke exiting the hood. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and open the hood and saw fire in the engine compartment. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to unknown location for inspections. The insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle was a total loss. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 97,000.
Brief loss of throttle control along with engine overspeed possibly due to dirty electrical contacts in connector at electronic throttle body -- restored proper operation via flushing of electrical contacts in connector with 100% isopropyl alcohol aerosol spray -- vehicle was being driven into a crowded parking lot at the time -- brakes were effective in keeping the speed under control -- had to shut engine off while in drive in order to keep it from overspeeding -- engine had been running and car had been in motion for previous 45 mins without problems
About 3 mths ago started using oil 3 qts extra the went to a qt a week, now using a quart every other day, have had people check. Cant find out where oil is going, have parked it, also, airbag light came on about 4mths ago, Kia Rio has 114,000. The caliber froze up at 88,000 the brake pads kept wearing on left side, now the right starting to wearing more...I have the gold autoguard warranty up to 120,000 with hendrick Chevrolet, took it in on appt. Day N time, had 30 cars ahead. I have also learned. Carfax on cars are not true, this car was noted with no damage or wrecks, but I have seen on left side of car, marks of junk yard parts, even on back window. Reason for parking car bc its costing to much for oil, also my grandbaby is always with me in this 2012 Kia Rio, this car isnt worth her life, no car is...oh on carfax it state's its an ex then on second page it state's a LX, which understand mite be type error but when it state's no damage or wreck, thats a big error. Never got check oil light not one time, new it wnor a check engine light, only light was and is the airbag light.
I have a 2012 Kia Rio and over the last 2 months the oil light spontaneously comes on and turns off while driving. I took it into a Kia dealership and they did a consumption test which indicated the engine is consuming a lot of oil. I was told I need a brand new engine. This car was purchased new, currently has 112K miles (mostly highway) on it. The dealership offered me nothing. They want to charge me for a brand new engine with a 6M /12M warranty costing me $3900 / $4400 for repair or an engine w 95K miles for $3600 / $3900 for repair. I can't afford that and the dealership told me to just keep checking the oil and refill as needed. What kind of service is that"!?!?! city Kia orlando - this is ludicris!!!!! what can I do to get some assistance in getting another car. This car is less than 10yrs old and is in good condition with normal wear and tear. I have smelled smoke a couple of times but attributed it to the outdoors. I used my car daily and although I do not usually travel far from home I have my kids with me 99% of the time. Can you help me" I saw on the news 6 just this morning about Kia car engine fires. I am a single mom with 3 kids at home 5-17yrs old. I work 10hr days and making just enough to make ends meet. Your advice is greatly appreciated.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Rio. While driving approximately 65 mph, the contact heard a thumping noise and black smoke emerged from the tail pipe. Also, the oil warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle started to lose power until it stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (southside Kia, 9401 atlantic boulevard, jacksonville, Florida 32225) where it was diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Driving car at about 60 mph and car began to smoke. Got out on side of highway lifted hood and everything was on fire. People assing by along with hero and fire dept made sure flames were put out. I never made any modification to vehicle and we keep it serviced. Feel like problems are with manufacture wiring. I have done insurance claim and contacted manufacture. The miles are aprox 102K
Got up early one morning to go to work, started my car, let it run for 2 minutes and put it in reverse and it moved without me pressing on the gas petal and I was parked down hill.now my car starts sometimes and sometimes it won't. it doesn't do it all the time, but it still needs to be repaired. I wanted to know were there a recall on my car for these problems.I haven't took it to a shop to be checked yet, spend enough money on car payments to have to fix my own car and it's under warranty
This car has a tendency to rev up to the red line on the tach - sometimes when you start it, sometimes when you are in traffic, sometimes when you are stopped at a traffic signal. I have witnesses to this fact and it is making me feel very unsafe when I am driving it. I almost got in two accidents because of this condition. It may appear if I am driving down the highway a couple times this occurred and the only way that this is remedied is turning off the ignition and restarted it, sometimes you have to do this 2 or 3 times. Other times it will happen when you start the engine it will go right to the top of the tach if you do not turn off ignition. It has also happened at a traffic light stop I felt the car increasing in revs while I was stopped, thank god I turned off the ignition before it crashed into the car in front of me. I have idea when it will occur. I looked on the web and found other instances of Kia owners having the same problem. It has been back at the dealership where I purchased it, twice, new and they tell me they cannot change any parts unless the problem can be duplicated. I filed a complaint with Kia on line and no response except take it back to the dealer! I want the problem repaired I do not care what they have to do to make it safe as it stands now it is a hazard to drive and an accident waiting to happen! it sometimes also feels like you have speed control as you are going down the highway it will speed up. I just want it repaired!
I filled up with gas and was leaving the gas station. I hit the accelerator to pull out and the car didn't go. It idled out into traffic, on the road but it wouldn't go. It took about 3-4 seconds before it would take off. Since then it has happened multiple times. It mostly happens when the engine is at operating temp and you stop for a couple of minutes.
My 2012 Kia Rio caught fire the other day. I pulled into the driveway, went into the house to put my laptop down. I had shut the car off. Came back out to grab some stuff from the trunk and the car was smoking from the hood. Thought it had overheated. Pulled hood release and went to open the hood when I realized flames were coming from the right side of the engine area. Tried putting the fire out with a garden hose & was instructed by 911 to get away from the vehicle. Car ended up bursting into flames. Fire department had to come and extinguish. Called Kia and they are taking their time at responding. I am concerned that this may be a bigger problem and effect more people. Putting lives at risk for injury and possible death.
- Windermere, FL, USA
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- Toms River, NJ, USA