NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
38 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jan 24, 2024
Engine
KIA has failed to remedy the HECU Engine Compartment Fire recall (NHTSA campaign number 23V652000) in a timely manner. The issue has been known since September 2023, Vehicle owners were notified in November, and no further information has been given on the status of the recall. *NOTE* Apologies if this is not the correct form.…
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KIA has failed to remedy the HECU Engine Compartment Fire recall (NHTSA campaign number 23V652000) in a timely manner. The issue has been known since September 2023, Vehicle owners were notified in November, and no further information has been given on the status of the recall. *NOTE* Apologies if this is not the correct form. The recall notice mentions a form where recall issues can be reported but there is no information on where to find it.
NHTSA ODI #11567493
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2023
Engine
Was told that my car was consuming too much oil and I’ve been doing oil consumption test for the past year I even did the chemical that was run through my motor which I had to pay for and it was over $800 I feel like they’re giving me the runaround one of the employees at Dick Hanna Kia also told me at one point that I could …
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Was told that my car was consuming too much oil and I’ve been doing oil consumption test for the past year I even did the chemical that was run through my motor which I had to pay for and it was over $800 I feel like they’re giving me the runaround one of the employees at Dick Hanna Kia also told me at one point that I could actually replace the motor myself but my car is still under warranty at 92,000 miles. I just want it resolved either they replaced my motor or do something I have two more oil consumption test and then at that point they will send the information to Dick Hanna Kia dealerships or wherever they send it and then tell me what to do next actually getting frustrated. I have to go every 1000 miles and it takes time out of my day to do this.
NHTSA ODI #11562571
126,000 miles · Dec 22, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor in the vehicle. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle slowed down and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however,…
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact stated that there was an abnormal odor in the vehicle. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle slowed down and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11561542
60,000 miles · Dec 15, 2023
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The…
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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA ODI #11560243
Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesFire
I was driving down the road and suddenly my check engine light starts flashing and the vehicle starts surging. I pull over and shut the car off. I get outside to the hood to open it, as there is steam coming out, and as I put my hand on the hood release, a fire erupts from the engine going over my windshield and driver window. B…
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I was driving down the road and suddenly my check engine light starts flashing and the vehicle starts surging. I pull over and shut the car off. I get outside to the hood to open it, as there is steam coming out, and as I put my hand on the hood release, a fire erupts from the engine going over my windshield and driver window. Burning my entire car and $2500 worth of belongings to the ground.
NHTSA ODI #11557410
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
Engine
I took my car in and kia is stating that my upper catalytic converter manifold is bad. That should not be happening under 100,000 miles. Of course kia would cover it if it was under 80,000 miles. That's not the case with my car and of course my car had a little over 80,000 miles. So that comes out of pocket when it should not b…
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I took my car in and kia is stating that my upper catalytic converter manifold is bad. That should not be happening under 100,000 miles. Of course kia would cover it if it was under 80,000 miles. That's not the case with my car and of course my car had a little over 80,000 miles. So that comes out of pocket when it should not be happening.
NHTSA ODI #11555834
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
EngineService Brakes
From what I understand kia has no fix for manufacturer recall # SC284UB and NHTSA recall# 23V652. That is unacceptable and unprofessional. Kia is a hugh car dealer and they are saying there is no fix yet! I can't believe kia would put people and families at risk. Kia's action plan to put your car outside and not in your garage ,…
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From what I understand kia has no fix for manufacturer recall # SC284UB and NHTSA recall# 23V652. That is unacceptable and unprofessional. Kia is a hugh car dealer and they are saying there is no fix yet! I can't believe kia would put people and families at risk. Kia's action plan to put your car outside and not in your garage , is ridiculous. I was never contacted about this recall, that's unacceptable. Kia needs a fix NOW!
NHTSA ODI #11555827
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2023
Engine
At first I thought I was leaking oil. on my next oil change I asked them about the oil consumption. they had me do an oil consumption study. this was around 95,000 miles. at my next oil change they suggested I talked with Kia. before my next oil change my car shut down while my mom was driving on the highway. and I had it tow…
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At first I thought I was leaking oil. on my next oil change I asked them about the oil consumption. they had me do an oil consumption study. this was around 95,000 miles. at my next oil change they suggested I talked with Kia. before my next oil change my car shut down while my mom was driving on the highway. and I had it towed to kia to find that the catalytic converter was clogged and need to be replace. whats worse is the Kia soul with the 1.6 engine has the exact same problem but that has a recall for it. but not the Rio.
NHTSA ODI #11550708
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2023
Engine
At about 90000 mile brought car into dealership because it was consuming oil. Was told there was no leak found. Oil consumption was not covered. At about 110,000 miles had to bring car into shop because catalytic converter ended up being blocked and had to replaced. Less than a year later at 129,000 miles had vehicle towed b…
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At about 90000 mile brought car into dealership because it was consuming oil. Was told there was no leak found. Oil consumption was not covered. At about 110,000 miles had to bring car into shop because catalytic converter ended up being blocked and had to replaced. Less than a year later at 129,000 miles had vehicle towed back to shop again. Mechanic stated lower bearing had failed and engine would need to be replaced. Contacted junkyards for replacement and there were two he found but we're very expensive. He called Kia and they don't make that engine any longer. Guessing because of all the problems they have with it.
NHTSA ODI #11540697
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 2023
Engine
Oil consumption is outrageous, having to put a quart in every time I fuel up from empty. Car has a little over 126k miles on it....
NHTSA ODI #11518904
Official recalls
2Sep 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.
Aug 24, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.
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
1AQ23002 · 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.