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2013 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Rio years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Kia Rio are substantially higher than the model-year median of 38.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 66 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports18 fire reports7 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

34 reports
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11 miles · Jun 26, 2020
Air BagsSteeringUnknown Or Other

THE CLOCK SPRING LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR IS NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE STEERING. I WAS TOLD BY KIA DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR MY CAR AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SAFETY OF DRIVING SINCE IT EFFECTS THE AIRBAG. IF IT GET STOPPED I CAN GET A TICKET FOR THE LIGHT BEING ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331106

80,000 miles · Apr 16, 2020
Air Bags

AIR BAG SENSOR CAME ON AND OFF FOR A WHILE AFTER WARRANTY ON THE BAG HAD JUST EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME NEW THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BAG, WHICH I DID. THEN AFTER REPLACING, THEY SAID THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND HAD TO REPLACE SOME KIND OF PIN. BUT THEY SWORE THE BAG REALLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DID…

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AIR BAG SENSOR CAME ON AND OFF FOR A WHILE AFTER WARRANTY ON THE BAG HAD JUST EXPIRED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO ME NEW THAT I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE BAG, WHICH I DID. THEN AFTER REPLACING, THEY SAID THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND HAD TO REPLACE SOME KIND OF PIN. BUT THEY SWORE THE BAG REALLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. DID I PAY $800 FOR A BAD PIN....MAYBE. OR, IS THERE A PATTERN OF AIRBAGS GOING OUT FOR NO REASON? THE BAG WAS NOT DEPLOYED IN MY PRESENCE, BUT AFTER THAT BEING THE FOURTH "BAD PART" GO OUT ON THIS CAR, I FEEL I SHOULD REPORT IT. BEFORE I GOT THE NEW BAG, THE LIGHT WOULD GO ON AND OFF WHEN I TURNED SHARP CORNERS. CAR WAS AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON. IT TOOK ME ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE I COULD AFFORD TO REPLACE....THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS FAULTY PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #11321345

80,000 miles · Nov 30, 2019
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY 2013 KIA RIO LX SOMETIME SHORTLY AFTER THE MILEAGE HIT 80,000 MILES. IT WOULD GO ON AND THEN TURN OFF. IT DID THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED KIA TO ASK IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE AIR BAGS AND THEY TOLD ME NO. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $350-$…

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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON MY 2013 KIA RIO LX SOMETIME SHORTLY AFTER THE MILEAGE HIT 80,000 MILES. IT WOULD GO ON AND THEN TURN OFF. IT DID THIS FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT NOW IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. I CALLED KIA TO ASK IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THE AIR BAGS AND THEY TOLD ME NO. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE $350-$400 JUST TO CHECK IT OUT. I HAVE SEEN MANY REPORTS OF THIS BY OTHER KIA RIO OWNERS ON THIS WEBSITE. THIS HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11282960

66,000 miles · Oct 21, 2019
Air BagsSeat Belts

AIR BAG WARNING

NHTSA ODI #11270041

124,416 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Air Bags

THE CAR A 2013 WHY IS MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON? THE CAR BEEN SERVICE AT KIA CASEY DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE INVOICE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING ALREADY THE CAR 6 YEARS OLD

NHTSA ODI #11257958

86,000 miles · Jul 22, 2019
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT RANDOMLY CAME ON. IT WILL PERIODICALLY COME OFF, BUT IT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON. THIS IS NOT ONLY EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING, BUT ALSO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT IS A SHAME THAT KIA IS YET TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND NONE OF THEM CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

NHTSA ODI #11233960

65,800 miles · Jul 5, 2019
Air BagsExterior Lighting

A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, AIR-BAG WARNING LIGHT BECAME ON DURING DRIVING. I TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BUT IT WON'T GO AWAY. NOTHING HAPPENED SO FAR. NO ACCIDENT, NO DAMAGE, AND ETC.

NHTSA ODI #11229499

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2019
Air Bags

AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY TURNING ON AND OFF AS I AM DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11218750

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2019
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY STARTED COMING ON AND THEN TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW IT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. NO ACCIDENTS OR REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. MECHANIC SAYS IT WILL COST A LOT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WRONG AND KIA SHOULD RECALL AS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THERE EVER IS AN ACCIDENT…

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AIRBAG LIGHT RANDOMLY STARTED COMING ON AND THEN TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. NOW IT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. NO ACCIDENTS OR REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. MECHANIC SAYS IT WILL COST A LOT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WRONG AND KIA SHOULD RECALL AS THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THERE EVER IS AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAG WON'T WORK, AND THAT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #11203265

1,025,600 miles · Apr 18, 2019
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED OUT BY IT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY SO OFFTEN THEN IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN ID TURN MY CAR. THEN IT CAME ON AND STAYED FOR A COUPLE DAYS NOW IT JUST STAYS ON . I WAS TOLD THE IT WOULD COST ME ALOT TO JUST HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT BY KIA . AND THAT IF IM TO EVER HAVE A ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS WONT WORK.…

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THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED OUT BY IT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY SO OFFTEN THEN IT WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WHEN ID TURN MY CAR. THEN IT CAME ON AND STAYED FOR A COUPLE DAYS NOW IT JUST STAYS ON . I WAS TOLD THE IT WOULD COST ME ALOT TO JUST HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT BY KIA . AND THAT IF IM TO EVER HAVE A ACCIDENT MY AIRBAGS WONT WORK. I FEEL THAT KIA IS AT FAULT AND MY CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11197243

Official recalls

1

23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.