Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Kia Rio problems

Owners filed 52 complaints about the 2014 Kia Rio with NHTSA between Apr 2014 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (24).

Complaints
52
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine24
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  3. Air bags7
  4. Power train6
  5. Structure6
  6. Electrical system5
  7. Fuel/propulsion system4
  8. Service brakes3
  9. Wheels2
  10. Exterior lighting1
  11. Equipment adaptive/mobility1
  12. Vehicle speed control1
  13. Steering1
  14. Seat belts1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 13, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20145
20158
20167
20173
20180
20193
20202
20213
20223
202310
20244
20252
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

24 reports6 fires
“I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January 2026 shop oil change), flashing CEL, and loud rod knock after oil starvation. Kia corporate denied all extended warranty/campaign relief on 03/18/2025, stating the powertrain warranty expired in 2019 and "no campaigns" apply. This is inconsistent and deceptive: -U.S. Litigation: Early complaints and law-firm summaries in In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (C.D. Cal., 8:18-cv-02223) and related MDL explicitly referenced 2012–2019 Kia Rios with 1.6L Gamma GDI for the exact defect (oil burn → bearing failure → seizure/fire risk). However, Kia negotiated to exclude Rios from the final E2 Class Vehicles list (see kiaengineclasssettlement.com FAQ #6), limiting relief to Souls and select others despite the identical engine family. -Canadian Precedent: The McKenzie Lake/Strosberg class action explicitly includes 2012–2017 Kia Rios with Gamma 1.6 GDI for the same…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2026EngineODI 11725736

Service brakes, hydraulic

7 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). After the recall remedy was completed, the dealer provided documentation indicating that engine rods #3 and #4 were failing and could soon cause the engine to explode if not immediately repaired. Approximately 2 weeks later while the daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate and emit smoke from underneath the hood. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road and safely exit the vehicle as it caught on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled since the fire consumed it. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 133,223.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2024Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11592161

Air bags

7 reports6 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming approximately 1/2 to 1 quart of oil per day. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact the catalytic convertor was not operating as designed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2021Air bagsODI 11434092

Power train

6 reports1 crash1 fire
“PRESENTO ILUMINACION DEL MAL FUNCIONAMIENTO INDICADOR LAMPARA (MIL),ABS PRECAUCION LIGHT,BURNING/MELTING SMALL,AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT,ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN ESTOOCURRIO EL 03/08/2023, NO TENIA LA INFORMACION DEL PROBLEMA Y MANDE A REPARAR EL MOTOR $ 3,890.00.nECESITOQUE USTEDES ME AYUDEN POR ESTE PAGO. I PRESENT LIGHTING OF THE MALFUNCTIONING LAMP INDICATOR (MIL), ABS CAUTION LIGHT, BURNING/MELTING SMALL, AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ENGINE WITH NOISE AND BROKEN THIS HAPPENED ON 08/03/2023, I DID NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I SENT FOR REPAIR THE ENGINE $3,890.00.nI NEED YOU TO HELP ME WITH THIS PAYMENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2023Power train, Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11555974

Structure

6 reports3 crashes1 fire
“AFTER EVERY RAIN EVENT, MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES WATER LEAKS IN TRUNK FROM TOP OF TRUNK AND DRIVER SIDE OF TRUNK. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL (AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRYING) TO FIND WHERE WATER IS COMING IN AT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. OBVIOUSLY, OVER TIME THE MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO BRAKE LIGHT/TAIL LIGHT WIRING, ETC.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2017StructureODI 10970355

Electrical system

5 reports1 fire
“hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2024Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11573284
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 13, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.