2017 Kia RIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
36,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 31 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 25.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
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 | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock | 2 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Engine: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock: 2; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 23 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 11 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 11; 2024: 7; 2025: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 11551834 · 2023-10-25 (October 25, 2023)
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front hood started emitting smoke. In addition, the brake pedal failed to function as intended. All vehicle doors automatically locked up and the contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact noticed fire coming in the vehicle and she had to shatter the window to exit the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a police station where it was deemed totaled. The origin of the fire was unknown. The location of the fir…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11551834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559789 · 2023-12-12 (December 12, 2023)
The contact owns a 2017 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559789 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518898 · 2023-04-25 (April 25, 2023)
This vehicle has electrical issues none stop. One day it randomly stalled out while still in motion and lost all power. No power at all. It was “repaired” and I had it for 2 weeks and it again lost all power while in motion. It put my life completely at risk as I had to pull over into a parking lot after losing all power turning in the middle of a very busy main intersection. Kia dealership said it was the main wiring harness at first and replaced that but then the second time said that the new harness was out again and needed replaced a second…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522543 · 2023-05-17 (May 17, 2023)
Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind you and you were just going 65 mph in a 70 and I had just got on the highway from the on ramp and was trying to get to speed when it cut out. the crank shaft position sensor coded then so had it replaced and its still rough on acceleration and shiftin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492979 · 2022-11-09 (November 9, 2022)
steering wheel would not lock into place, moved up and down from dash, once dash was removed to see steering column was not connected, top brackets came loose inside dash, bottom of column was never bolted in place from assembly, dealship will not cover/ help and states new column is needed and quoted 1000.00 to repair
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11746312 · 2026-06-24 (June 24, 2026)
The engine of my Kia Rio 2017 is the system that is failing it is sudden with no warning and has been diagnosed by Kia themselves stating that the engine will seize. My safety is put at risk because the car may seize while in traffic causing difficulty steering and breaking. This problem was first confirmed by an independent shop called Accurate transmission (1040 s Joliet st, Aurora CO, 80013 or call 3033646254) and following that I took it to Kia for a diagnostic where they confirmed what Accurate transmission stated. This vehicle has not bee…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11746312 at NHTSA ↗