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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Rio years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
153 reportsAIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY TURNING ON AND OFF AS I AM DRIVING.
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.
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.
SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN CITY TRAFFIC, PRESSED THE GAS TO GO WHEN GREEN LIGHT OCCURRED AND CAR STALLED. LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, RADIO ALL STILL WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS DEAD. LET CAR SIT FOR 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED UP COMPLETELY FINE. CAR STALLED AGAIN AT RED LIGHT WHILE AT IDLE IN CITY TRAFFIC. LET CAR SIT FOR A FEW MOMENTS, S…
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SITTING AT A RED LIGHT IN CITY TRAFFIC, PRESSED THE GAS TO GO WHEN GREEN LIGHT OCCURRED AND CAR STALLED. LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, RADIO ALL STILL WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS DEAD. LET CAR SIT FOR 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED UP COMPLETELY FINE. CAR STALLED AGAIN AT RED LIGHT WHILE AT IDLE IN CITY TRAFFIC. LET CAR SIT FOR A FEW MOMENTS, STARTED IT UP AND DROVE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NO BATTERY LIGHT, NO LOW OIL LIGHT. TOOK CAR TO NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC, WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE IN GREAT WORKING ORDER, GROUND CONNECTIONS WERE FINE. THEY TOOK CAR ON 20 MILE RIDE WITH NO STALLING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS WRONG EITHER. TOLD ME TO COME BACK WHEN I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OTHER THAN THAT, THEY CAN NOT HELP ME. CAR CONTINUES TO STALL WHILE IDLE WITH NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
AFTER ONLY 70000 MILES I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAS SLUDGE BUILD UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED ON A REGULAR, TIMELY BASIS THROUGH THE DEALER. THE DEALER RECORDS WERE SENT TO KIA WHO WOULD NOT GAURANTEE TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENG…
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AFTER ONLY 70000 MILES I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE HAS SLUDGE BUILD UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CAR WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED ON A REGULAR, TIMELY BASIS THROUGH THE DEALER. THE DEALER RECORDS WERE SENT TO KIA WHO WOULD NOT GAURANTEE TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THEY MAY OR MAY NOT COVER IT. IF ITS NOT COVERED I AM ON THE HOOK. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE OIL HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, THIS WAS ALSO SENT TO KIA BY THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD KIA NEEDED A PICTURE THAT ONLY COULD BE OBTAINED BY TEARING DOWN THE ENGINE AND THAT ONCE THIS HAPPENED THE ENGINE COULDN'T BE PUT BACK TOGETHER. AT THIS POINT I WAS COMMITTED TO A NEW ENGINE, EITHER KIA WOULD PAY OR I WOULD. AT THIS TIME I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING. I KNOW KIA HAS THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER KIA MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN IMMEDATELY WHEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON,
HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYS OFF. FORCING ME TO TURN OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHTS MANUALLY WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON THEN REPEAT.. THEY TURN OF AND I STRUGGLE TO KEEP THEM ON AND I TRAVEL FOR WORK AND ALLOT OF NIGHT TIME DRIVING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND OTHER DRIVERS THINK I'M FLASHING THEM. VERY UN…
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HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYS OFF. FORCING ME TO TURN OFF AND BACK ON THE LIGHTS MANUALLY WITH THE SWITCH TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON THEN REPEAT.. THEY TURN OF AND I STRUGGLE TO KEEP THEM ON AND I TRAVEL FOR WORK AND ALLOT OF NIGHT TIME DRIVING. VERY FRUSTRATING AND OTHER DRIVERS THINK I'M FLASHING THEM. VERY UNSAFE AND KIA DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY THEM TO FIX IT. MY CAR HAS 23,000 MILES AT THE MOMENT PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR AROUND 12,000 MILES BUT AGE IS PAST FACTORY WARRANTY. IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I'M DRIVING OR IT'S PARKED LIGHTS/WIRING HAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT KIA REFUSES TO FIX.
CAR BURNS THROUGH OIL. NO LEAKS, JUST BURNS OIL. WHEN OIL IS EMPTY, NO CHECK OIL LIGHT COMES ON. MUST ADD OIL CONSTANTLY. MY MECHANIC SAID I HAD 'NO OIL' IN MY ENGINE DURING MY LAST CHECK. HE FILLED IT UP AND THEN I DECIDED TO CHECK IT MYSELF A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER AND THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING.
I ONLY DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK AND BACK, IT HAD NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE OTHER DAY I DRIVE TO WORK, WORK MY 8 HOURS THEN GET IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME AND THE AIR BAG DASH LIGHT COMES ON, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS, NOW IT JUST STAYS ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE HAV…
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I ONLY DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK AND BACK, IT HAD NEVER BEEN IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. THE OTHER DAY I DRIVE TO WORK, WORK MY 8 HOURS THEN GET IN MY CAR TO DRIVE HOME AND THE AIR BAG DASH LIGHT COMES ON, THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS, NOW IT JUST STAYS ON. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, SUPPOSEDLY THIS HAPPENS ONCE YOU GET IN THE 80+ THOUSAND MILE MARK. I CHECKED UNDER MY SEATS FOR LOOSE CONNECTION AND FOUND NOTHING. I ALSO LOOKED AT HOW MUCH THE DEALER CHARGES AND ITS ASTRONOMICAL. IT BEING A SAFETY ISSUE I THINK THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A RECALL.
RATTLES UPON ACCELERATION, BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. NO OIL LEAKS. INDICATOR LIGHT DOES NO COME ON UNTIL THE OIL IS ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE AND RATTLING UPON ACCELERATION IS THE WARNING!!!
Official recalls
123V652000 · 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
2AQ23002 · 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.
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