2023 Kia RIO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
100,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 3; Steering: 3; Power Train: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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 11512102 · 2023-03-16 (March 16, 2023)
I bought a new 2023 Kia Rio on Mar. 13. Within 30 hours of getting it home it was entered by thieves who wrecked the ignition system trying to steal it. The dealer did not inform me of the great danger of theft of Kia models like mine. They did not urge me to get an anti-theft device. I didn't know of this rampant Kia theft problem or would not have bought the car. Not only that, they say they cannot fix it (for perhaps 2 months). All the area Kia dealers are "overwhelmed" with Kias that have suffered theft or theft-related destruction. They ca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11512102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11518382 · 2023-04-22 (April 22, 2023)
While driving at 71 mph with cruise control and the doors locked, the drivers seat door unlocked and opened. The open door warning light came on on the dashboard. It is available for inspection. It has not been inspected yet at this time. My safety was put in danger as I had to close the door as wind was entering the vehicle. It has only happened once about two weeks ago.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11518382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537419 · 2023-08-09 (August 9, 2023)
I was driving normally and suddenly the transmission would not shift at all. The engine would just rev freely and the car did not accelerate at all. I was able to creep slowly to the dealership as I was near it. The dealership confirmed that the transmission had a problem a day after it was in the dealership.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537433 · 2023-08-09 (August 9, 2023)
I was driving around 10mph when I noticed that the transmission would not shift at all. The RPM would only increase but the car does not accelerate. Kia dealership confirmed that the transmission is dead.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11559707 · 2023-12-12 (December 12, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the vehicle failed to sound a seat belt warning chime to indicate that the passenger’s side seat belt was not buckled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11559707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11563553 · 2024-01-04 (January 4, 2024)
Hi [XXX] My Kia Rio 2023 S vin number is [XXX] . Bought a couple months back new at Summit Place Kia Auburn Hills michigan. Once I drive off I realised the steering wheel alignment is off. The car does not drive straight when steering wheel is straight. I called my salesman and he asked me to bring it in for servicing at Summit Place. They did a wheel alignment there and found misalignment at factory condition. A few months later the same issue got worse and was noticeable again when driving. I called my salesman and he told me bringing it …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11563553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566798 · 2024-01-21 (January 21, 2024)
Hi [XXX] I just collected my Kia Rio from service at LaFontaine. On driving in the freeway I noticed I had to make frequent adjustments to the steering when going straight and there was oversteering (minor tilt of the steering wheel result in exaggerated larger turn of the car). This does not happen when driving at lower speed outside of the freeway. I will monitor this as I am not sure if this was because I was switching between cars and/or that particular stretch of road is slippery. According to the technicians the alignment is back to s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11584683 · 2024-04-23 (April 23, 2024)
When I started my car, during the warm-up process, it dropped revs and turned off. After several tries, it turned on. While driving, when the vehicle was stopped, it began to jerk slightly. The safety risk is that the car, while I am driving, could turn off and cause an accident, in which people could be at risk, including me. I wouldn't want this to escalate because the dealer doesn't take action on the matter. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to evaluate the condition, they say that the technicians did not find anything, that the car did n…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11584683 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.