2014 Kia RIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
33,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 52 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 34.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 24 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
Engine: 24; Air Bags: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Power Train: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Electrical System: 5; Structure:Body: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 21 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2014: 5; 2015: 8; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 10; 2024: 4; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10765219 · 2015-09-18 (September 18, 2015)
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT TO REAR CAR ACCIDENT. MY KIA DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME (A HONDA) STOPPED SUDDENLY. DURING THE INCIDENT MY KIA HIT THE HONDA'S REAR TWICE (TWO IMPACT MOMENTS) - AFTER THE FIRST IMPACT IN A MOMENT OF PANIC I HIT THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE HONDA ONCE MORE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF (MY SAFETY CONCERN/COMPLAINT). I WAS GLAD THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF BECAUSE THE GASES THEY RELEASE AFFECT MY ASTHMA. HOWEVER, IF THERE WAS A PASSENGER WITH ME THEY MAY HAVE BEEN INJ…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10765219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788852 · 2015-11-06 (November 6, 2015)
I AM A FOOD DELIVERY DRIVER. I WAS MAKING A DELIVERY TO A REGULAR CUSTOMER. I WAS OUTSIDE HIS SIDE DOOR, TALKING. I WAS OUT OF MY 2014 KIA RIO FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 AND 1/2 TO 2 MINUTES, TALKING WITH THE CUSTOMER. SUDDENLY, I AM ON THE GROUND. I LOOK TO SEE A TIRES RUN OVER MY FOOT. THE CUSTOMER CHASED AFTER THE CAR, IT CRASHED INTOO HIS PARKED CAR. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS MY CAR THAT RAN ME OVER. WE CALLED THE OAK CREEK POLICE. BOTH THE CUSTOMER AND I BELIEVE--DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME I WAS OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND TALKING TO HIM--THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10715004 · 2015-05-06 (May 6, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 8/19/15*CN UPDATED 10/13/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10715004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721540 · 2015-05-26 (May 26, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETECT A TROUBLE CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721540 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970355 · 2017-04-03 (April 3, 2017)
AFTER EVERY RAIN EVENT, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES WATER LEAKS IN TRUNK FROM TOP OF TRUNK AND DRIVER SIDE OF TRUNK. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL (AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRYING) TO FIND WHERE WATER IS COMING IN AT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. OBVIOUSLY, OVER TIME THE MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO BRAKE LIGHT/TAIL LIGHT WIRING, ETC.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10970355 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11556104 · 2023-11-20 (November 20, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11556104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659918 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
RIO SLID TERRIBLE AFTER TRYING TO GO AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WHEN WE HIT THE TRAILER ON THE SIDE. THE AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER BAG BUSTED THE PASSENGER'S STERNUM AND A SHARP METAL PIECE APPEARS TO BE IN HER LEG AS SOME WERE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME UNHOOKED AS SHE WAS PINNED TIGHT IN THE CAR. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEFORE HE HIT US BY RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AS PASSENGER IN SHOCK. HORRIBLE CRAPPY HANDLING AND SKID WAS UNACCEPTAB…
Owner-reported narrative. 680 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11012202 · 2017-08-01 (August 1, 2017)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO I SET THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. BRAKES STICK DUE TO RUST WHENEVER IT SITS A LONG TIME OR WHEN IT GETS WET DUE TO HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW. VEHICLE IS PARKED. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. DEALER CAN CLEAN AND OIL BRAKE BUT CANNOT KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11012202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592518 · 2014-05-19 (May 19, 2014)
PUMPING GAS INTO GAS TANK AND THE GAS WAS ON THE GROUND BECAUSE THE GAS TANK WAS NEVER SEALED WAS RIDING THE CAR FOR 10 DAYS AND THE ORIGINAL GAS THAT WAS PUT IN THE CAR FROM DEALER SO THE 1ST TIME PUTTING GAS IN THE TANK THE GAS WAS POURING OUT AND LOSS THE $23 WORTH OF GAS BUT I COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM CAR ABOUT ANY GAS LEAK ISSUE OR FAULTY GAS LINE OR TANK NOT SEALED THIS IS DANGEROUS AND THIS WAS 2014 KIA RIO LX. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 337 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592518 at NHTSA ↗