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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

Steering complaints

10 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

Case numberODI11697241

NHTSA ODI #11715067

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2026
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

Vehicle showed all defect warnings as described in recall #23v652 .To include loss of all hydraulic components. Your reference Claim # [XXX]. I would like to know the status of this claim as the dealer still has my vehicle and now claims needs chassis repair , even though they earlier did an undercoat of vehicle in July per ano…

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Vehicle showed all defect warnings as described in recall #23v652 .To include loss of all hydraulic components. Your reference Claim # [XXX]. I would like to know the status of this claim as the dealer still has my vehicle and now claims needs chassis repair , even though they earlier did an undercoat of vehicle in July per another recall. The dealer now estimates the repairs at over $5800 . Since they have had vehicle over 6 months and all my quote s to repair and held because of further defects, I wonder if this is a scam to defraud people thru your recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11711183

162,236 miles · Feb 14, 2021
Air BagsSteering

BOUGHT CAR USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 FROM A USED CAR LOT MADE NOTE OF AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND NO HORN THEY SAID THEY WILL SCAN IT AND THEY DID SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AND THEY WERE GONNA ORDER ONE. NEVER GOT IT ABOUT A MONTH LATER CALLED LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THEY SAID MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS AND DID NOT FIX IT …

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BOUGHT CAR USED IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 FROM A USED CAR LOT MADE NOTE OF AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND NO HORN THEY SAID THEY WILL SCAN IT AND THEY DID SAID IT WAS THE CLOCK SPRING AND THEY WERE GONNA ORDER ONE. NEVER GOT IT ABOUT A MONTH LATER CALLED LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THEY SAID MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS AND DID NOT FIX IT WHEN I HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND CAN BE DEADLY AS I HAVE NO HORN OR AIRBAG TO PROTECT ME IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11396175

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

42,500 miles · Oct 26, 2018
Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED POWER STEERING QUIT WORKING MAKING IT VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11142881

85,000 miles · Jun 5, 2017
Air BagsSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DCH KIA IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DCH KIA IN TEMECULA, CALIFORNIA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL IN THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10993295

24,800 miles · Dec 31, 2014
Steering

MY POWER STEERING IS CUTTING IN AND OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A NUMBER OF INDICATOR LIGHTS TURNING ON. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TREATING MY ISSUE WITH ANY URGENCY, AND IS CONTENT TO HAVE ME CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR 6 DAYS WHILE THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN CUTTING IN AND OUT. I WANT TO FILE A FORMAL RECORD OF…

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MY POWER STEERING IS CUTTING IN AND OUT INTERMITTENTLY. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A NUMBER OF INDICATOR LIGHTS TURNING ON. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TREATING MY ISSUE WITH ANY URGENCY, AND IS CONTENT TO HAVE ME CONTINUE DRIVING MY VEHICLE FOR 6 DAYS WHILE THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN CUTTING IN AND OUT. I WANT TO FILE A FORMAL RECORD OF THIS ISSUE IN CASE IT CAUSES A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10669377

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2014
Steering

REQUESTING THAT NHTSA PLEASE AMPLIFY AND INVESTIGATE. STEERING WHEEL ON MY KIA RIO 2010 CAR STARTED SQUEAKING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. POWER STEERING FLUID IS NORMAL AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE MAY BE A CONNECTION IN REGARDS TO THE "CURRENT" RECALL IN REGARDS TO "AN IMPROPER APPL…

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REQUESTING THAT NHTSA PLEASE AMPLIFY AND INVESTIGATE. STEERING WHEEL ON MY KIA RIO 2010 CAR STARTED SQUEAKING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. POWER STEERING FLUID IS NORMAL AND THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE MAY BE A CONNECTION IN REGARDS TO THE "CURRENT" RECALL IN REGARDS TO "AN IMPROPER APPLICATION OF THREAD-LOCKING ADHESIVE" THAT THE KIA SOULS HAVE. THERE IS "NUMEROUS" POSTINGS ON WEB SITES OF OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME STEERING WHEEL SOUND ISSUE. THE STEERING WHEEL SOUND, IS NOT NORMAL AND IT IS WAY TOO MUCH OF A COINCIDENCE TO IGNORE. PLEASE PURSUE "DUE DILIGENCE" IN REGARDS TO THIS. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622159

9,215 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WERE IL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SENSOR LIGHTS FOR THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,215.

NHTSA ODI #10560124

100 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT END FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE THRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT END FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY VEER TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ODI #10556245

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.