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2018 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Limited mileage data: 6 of 28 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

28 reports
102,316 miles · Mar 5, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The contact was informed that the eng…

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The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,316.

NHTSA ODI #11646521

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2024
Engine

MY CAR IS CONSUMING OIL

NHTSA ODI #11624448

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesFire

My 2018 Kia Rio actually lit up on fire as I was driving down the highway on way to work. As I drove down the highway, I noticed that I had trouble using the brakes. It seemed as if they were working one second and then not working the next. At that time, I noticed fire coming from underneath the car and I was able to get the ve…

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My 2018 Kia Rio actually lit up on fire as I was driving down the highway on way to work. As I drove down the highway, I noticed that I had trouble using the brakes. It seemed as if they were working one second and then not working the next. At that time, I noticed fire coming from underneath the car and I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road. As I was exiting the vehicle, the flames were coming up on either side of the driver and passenger doors. Within the next couple minutes the car exploded. Fire rescue put out the fire and the interstate was closed to all traffic. Since the incident, my family and I have done research and found several incidents with very similar stories with regard to what happened to the vehicle. I believe it is well documented that there is a problem with certain Kia models that involves some kind of deficiency in the brake line that can cause the puncture/severing of fuel line. The end result can include "loss of braking ability" and "potential fire hazard". Reading these other incident reports from other families was exactly the way the vehicle reacted in my own incident. I could've lost my life in this incident and I wholeheartedly believe that liability lays with the manufacturer. My vehicle was very well maintained. Regular maintenance included inspections, tires, oil changes and more. There is NO reason why this should've occurred. I have tried to contact the Kia dealership where I purchased the car, the service manager, and other Kia dealerships in the area (Mufreesboro, TN) and have been told there is absolutely nothing I can do and I find that unacceptable. Understand that there are witnesses, photos, new coverage photos etc. I sincerely hope to get a response on how to pursue damages and to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

NHTSA ODI #11593284

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2024
Engine

I've been having issues with the engine for a while I'm constantly getting oil changes and after getting the oil change I would still have to add oil in every 2-3 weeks. 2/14/2024 My Oil light came on back on after putting oil in 2 weeks prior. That day my Car stalled on the HWY all my dash lights( battery, engine and oil light …

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I've been having issues with the engine for a while I'm constantly getting oil changes and after getting the oil change I would still have to add oil in every 2-3 weeks. 2/14/2024 My Oil light came on back on after putting oil in 2 weeks prior. That day my Car stalled on the HWY all my dash lights( battery, engine and oil light flashed. Ive been to multiple mechanics shop such as Express oil and Midas and both have told me there is a recall on engine such as mines, I called Kia multiple times and they told me it wasn't. I took the car to Kia last year and told them i was having issues with my engine and they told me I all I needed was a tuneup. Got the tune up and oil changed. I still ended up having to continue to add oil in my car. I brought this car brand new back in 2018 and only put 117k miles on the car. I've gotta regular oil changes and kept up with the car. My oil wasn't due for another oil change when the incident occurred.

NHTSA ODI #11589405

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2024
Engine

My dad bought a Kia Rio 2018 for 8k cash a day ago well two blocks from the dealer white smoke comes out of exhaust then oil pressure light came on, pulled over checked oil which was overfull with milky residue, dealer said to drive it home so we tried them got half block then black smoke came out and it started rattling then di…

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My dad bought a Kia Rio 2018 for 8k cash a day ago well two blocks from the dealer white smoke comes out of exhaust then oil pressure light came on, pulled over checked oil which was overfull with milky residue, dealer said to drive it home so we tried them got half block then black smoke came out and it started rattling then died so we left it. Mechanic said it threw a rod and hole in the engine. I know the 2017 Kia Rio is included in the class action lawsuit and I want the 2018 to be looked at into adding because if we were going faster when it happened something bad could have happened. I have videos and pictures evidence but it won't allow me to upload because the files are to big.

NHTSA ODI #11573695

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

For the past year and few months I’ve been having to do an oil change every two weeks because of how fast the engine is burning the oil. Several times I arrive to the shop to find the oil pan is completely empty causing issues with my engine beginning to make strange noises that are concerning. The dash light does not come on to…

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For the past year and few months I’ve been having to do an oil change every two weeks because of how fast the engine is burning the oil. Several times I arrive to the shop to find the oil pan is completely empty causing issues with my engine beginning to make strange noises that are concerning. The dash light does not come on to notify me that there is no oil. I’m sure the damage is severe because I have had the check engine light come on a couple times and having to fix it because of this. Other Kia drivers have had this issue with other models, including this one.

NHTSA ODI #11559237

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2023
Engine

Excessive engine oil consumption which has caused car to enter limp mode

NHTSA ODI #11526075

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Auto theft alarm listed as standard. There is NO THEFT DETECTION AT ALL. There is only a bogus flashing led that does nothing when parked. This is fraud.

NHTSA ODI #11501364

Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2022
Unknown Or OtherCrash

My vehicle was stolen while parked with a club on the steering wheel then damaged and abandoned. I was without a vehicle for a month during repairs. It has been reported on the news that Kias are easily stolen due to the type of ignition system. A recall to fix this is need immediately!

NHTSA ODI #11498683

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2022
EngineExterior Lighting

Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.

NHTSA ODI #11497523

Official recalls

1

21V622000 · Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch

Aug 9, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, 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 assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.