2013 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN WE PULLED UP TO THE RED LIGHT, THE IDLE STOP AND GO SYSTEM ENGAGED AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND, AS WE WERE ON A DOWNSLOPE, WE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN ROLLING INTO THE INTERSECTION. UNFORTUNATELY THE GO PART DIDN'T WORK AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T RESTART. THE LIGHT HAD TURNED RED AGAIN BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT THAT I HAD TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL TO RESTART IT WITH THE KEY. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465265 at NHTSA ↗

DEFECTIVE ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING SYSTEM THIS VEHICLE, 2013 KIA RIO, 1.6L GDI, 6-SPEED MANUAL, DOES NOT HAVE A COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE. IT SUPPOSEDLY RELIES ON ONE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO INDICATE AN OVERHEATED ENGINE, A LIGHT WHOSE CORRECT OPERATION CANNOT BE VERIFIED. THIS SUPPOSED ENGINE OVERHEAT WARNING LIGHT NEVER COMES ON DURING THE LIGHT BULB CHECK PHASE, SO THAT THE OPERATION OF ITS LIGHT BULB CANNOT BE VERIFIED. NOTE THAT THE OTHER WARNING LIGHTS, OIL PRESSURE, BRAKES, ETC COME ON DURING THIS PHASE AND THEIR WARNIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466101 at NHTSA ↗

I DETECT A NOISE COMING FROM THE MOTOR AND WENT TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER ON JANUARY 14, THEY MAKE A TEST DRIVE AND SAID THAT MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS WITH A "LIFTER" THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE FOR THE 28 OF JANUARY. ON JANUARY 22 I LEFT MY CAR AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEN I CALL FOR INFORMATION THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MANUFACTURER DECIDE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE MOTOR DUE TO A "RECALL" FOR SOME DEFECTIVES ON THE UNIT THAT WERE POSTED. AT THIS TIME I JUST KNOW THAT THE CAR STILL IN SERVICE WAITING FOR THE M…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,768 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496819 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS TOO HIGH AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511874 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WAS LOCATED TOO HIGH FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE TRAFFIC COMING FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD INSTALL ADDITIONAL MIRRORS FOR THE CONTACT TO BE ABLE TO SEE TRAFFIC BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 400. UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10511946 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT LOST REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS BUILT ABNORMALLY HIGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515078 at NHTSA ↗

JOE MYERS KIA & THE MANUFACTURER OF KIA HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENT IN THEIR BUSINESS WITH ALL THE 2013 KIA RIOS REAR WINDSHIELD DESIGN HAS A DEFECT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILD OF THE VEHICLE, THE BACK WINDSHIELD IS BUILT TO HIGH & IT CAUSES AN OBSTRUCTION TO DRIVERS VISIBILITY. IN 2007, THE DOT PROPOSED A NEW SAFETY REGULATION TO HELP ELIMINATE BLIND ZONES BEHIND VEHICLES THAT CAN HIDE THE PRESENCE OF INDIVIDUALS. THE PROPOSED RULE WAS REQUIRED BY CONGRESS AS PART OF THE CAMERON GULBRANSEN KIDS TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ACT OF 2007. IN ADDITION, …

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515784 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS EXPERIENCING POWER LOSS AND NOISES FROM THE MOTOR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR IN THREE TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND THE DEALER (TEMPE KIA) SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE MOTOR. THE SHOP MANAGER WAS EXTREMELY RUDE. THE FIRST TIME THEY TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND HEARD THE LIFTERS. TOOK IT BACK A MONTH LATER AND THEY SAY THEY HEAR NOTHING. NOTHING WAS DONE WITH MY CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 16,582 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523538 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 25, 2023)

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.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.