Problems · NHTSA complaints

2015 Kia Rio problems

Owners filed 52 complaints about the 2015 Kia Rio with NHTSA between Jan 2015 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is engine (23).

Complaints
52
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine23
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  4. Air bags5
  5. Engine and engine cooling4
  6. Service brakes3
  7. Vehicle speed control3
  8. Structure2
  9. Seat belts2
  10. Fuel/propulsion system1
  11. Steering1
  12. Fuel system, gasoline1
  13. Wheels1
  14. Power train1

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 12, 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
20152
20162
20172
20186
201915
20200
20212
20222
20238
202410
20253

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

23 reports6 fires
“tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2025Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11687911

Electrical system

9 reports3 fires
“My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11581907

Service brakes, hydraulic

9 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flame jutting up from the engine. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames but did not provide details on a possible cause for the fire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be evaluated by the insurance provider. The contact was unaware if a fire report had been filed. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11645607

Air bags

5 reports3 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS LOCKED, BUT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090), BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AN ENGINEER STATED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE SUBFRAME WAS VISIBLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2018Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11072864

Engine and engine cooling

4 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the failure was caused by the catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine coolingODI 11639547

Service brakes

3 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before that day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new valve cover gasket and it was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle continued with a burning oil odor. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,410.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2024Service brakesODI 11579926
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026

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