2014 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10584938 · 2014-04-25 (April 25, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL APPEARED TO LEAN OUTWARD. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,011 UPDATED 6/17/14*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584938 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 ↗
Owner report 10621331 · 2014-08-11 (August 11, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG ANTIFREEZE AND FUEL ODOR AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10621331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10626031 · 2014-08-18 (August 18, 2014)
A 2014 KIA RIO INVOLVED IN A HORRIFIC CRASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY? WHY? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10626031 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 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 10730764 · 2015-06-27 (June 27, 2015)
I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON A SIX LANE COMMERCIAL ROAD (THREE LANES IN EACH DIRECTION) WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO BELOW 20 MPH. THE CARS AROUND ME HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME, AND I HAD TO TURN ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS TO WARN THE SURROUNDING VEHICLES. I TRIED PRESSING ON THE GAS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH. HOWEVER, THE RPMS WERE GOING ABOVE THE RED LINE (ABOVE 6,000) AND THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY LOUD. THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT GO ABOVE 20 MPH FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN MINUTES OF DRIVING. I SLOWL…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10730764 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗