2017 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11124725 · 2018-09-06 (September 6, 2018)
WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AT 55 MPH HITTING A STOP SIGN A TELEPHONE BOX A OAK TREE THEN A PINE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WIFE HAS A BROKEN BACK AND CHEST BONE
Owner-reported narrative. 5,026 miles reported. Look up ODI 11124725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11130901 · 2018-09-24 (September 24, 2018)
WAS ENVOLVED IN A WRECK TO WHERE I WENT OFF THE ROAD HIT A STOP SIGN,,A TELEPHONE BOX,,A OAK TREE THEN A PINE TREE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOW MY WIFE HAS A BROKEN BACK AND CHEST BONE,,I GOT A BUSTED UP KNEE A SPRANG SHOLDER NECK AND BACK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,054 miles reported. Look up ODI 11130901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11221014 · 2019-06-18 (June 18, 2019)
THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR HIT A FENCE KNOCKED IT DOWN & HIT A TREE IT IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,063 miles reported. Look up ODI 11221014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11281417 · 2019-11-20 (November 20, 2019)
THE TRUNK IS NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED MANUALLY, EXCEPT THROUGH THE KEY FOB. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, THE LATCHING MECHANISM WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE TRUNK IS UNABLE TO LATCH SHUT. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281417 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11341121 · 2020-07-23 (July 23, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK SECURELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11341121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11432586 · 2021-09-11 (September 11, 2021)
My Rio's trunk latch mechanism has failed for the second time. I know there may be recalls for other model years. But 2017 models may also be affected. The trunk latch mechanism will fail without warning. The remote release will not open the trunk, the key/lock will not open the trunk. Most worrisome is that the inside emergency release will not open the trunk. I checked by climbing into the trunk through the fold-down rear seat back.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432586 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433156 · 2021-09-16 (September 16, 2021)
Vehicle caught on fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433156 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 ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Latch
Reported: 2023-08-24 (August 24, 2023)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗