10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2018 Kia Rio engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Kia Rio Owner Comments

problem #7

Apr 192024

Rio

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2018 Kia Rio actually lit up on fire as I was driving down the highway on way to work. As I drove down the highway, I noticed that I had trouble using the brakes. It seemed as if they were working one second and then not working the next. At that time, I noticed fire coming from underneath the car and I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road. As I was exiting the vehicle, the flames were coming up on either side of the driver and passenger doors. Within the next couple minutes the car exploded. Fire rescue put out the fire and the interstate was closed to all traffic. Since the incident, my family and I have done research and found several incidents with very similar stories with regard to what happened to the vehicle. I believe it is well documented that there is a problem with certain Kia models that involves some kind of deficiency in the brake line that can cause the puncture/severing of fuel line. The end result can include "loss of braking ability" and "potential fire hazard". Reading these other incident reports from other families was exactly the way the vehicle reacted in my own incident. I could've lost my life in this incident and I wholeheartedly believe that liability lays with the manufacturer. My vehicle was very well maintained. Regular maintenance included inspections, tires, oil changes and more. There is NO reason why this should've occurred. I have tried to contact the Kia dealership where I purchased the car, the service manager, and other Kia dealerships in the area (Mufreesboro, TN) and have been told there is absolutely nothing I can do and I find that unacceptable. Understand that there are witnesses, photos, new coverage photos etc. I sincerely hope to get a response on how to pursue damages and to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

- Coraopolis, PA, USA

problem #6

Feb 142024

Rio

  • miles
I've been having issues with the engine for a while I'm constantly getting oil changes and after getting the oil change I would still have to add oil in every 2-3 weeks. 2/14/2024 My Oil light came on back on after putting oil in 2 weeks prior. That day my Car stalled on the HWY all my dash lights( battery, engine and oil light flashed. Ive been to multiple mechanics shop such as Express oil and Midas and both have told me there is a recall on engine such as mines, I called Kia multiple times and they told me it wasn't. I took the car to Kia last year and told them i was having issues with my engine and they told me I all I needed was a tuneup. Got the tune up and oil changed. I still ended up having to continue to add oil in my car. I brought this car brand new back in 2018 and only put 117k miles on the car. I've gotta regular oil changes and kept up with the car. My oil wasn't due for another oil change when the incident occurred.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #5

Feb 212024

Rio

  • miles
My dad bought a Kia Rio 2018 for 8k cash a day ago well two blocks from the dealer white smoke comes out of exhaust then oil pressure light came on, pulled over checked oil which was overfull with milky residue, dealer said to drive it home so we tried them got half block then black smoke came out and it started rattling then died so we left it. Mechanic said it threw a rod and hole in the engine. I know the 2017 Kia Rio is included in the class action lawsuit and I want the 2018 to be looked at into adding because if we were going faster when it happened something bad could have happened. I have videos and pictures evidence but it won't allow me to upload because the files are to big.

- Leesburg, TX, USA

problem #4

Dec 282021

Rio

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For the past year and few months I-??ve been having to do an oil change every two weeks because of how fast the engine is burning the oil. Several times I arrive to the shop to find the oil pan is completely empty causing issues with my engine beginning to make strange noises that are concerning. The dash light does not come on to notify me that there is no oil. I-??m sure the damage is severe because I have had the check engine light come on a couple times and having to fix it because of this. Other Kia drivers have had this issue with other models, including this one.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 042023

Rio

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption which has caused car to enter limp mode

- Hammond, IN, USA

problem #2

Jul 012021

Rio

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #1

Oct 022021

Rio

  • miles
On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

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