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2014 Kia Rio Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 2014 Kia Rio with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (24) and the brakes (10). Those complaints describe 7 crashes, 8 fires and 4 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 2023 for the control unit / module. For comparison, the 2013 has 153 and the 2015 has 52.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Rio year, for its age

#140 most complained-about 2014 vehicle

Complaints
52
Recalls
1
Crashes
7
Fires
8
Injuries
4
Deaths
0

Most common 2014 Kia Rio problems

Share of all 52 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2014 Kia Rio recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Service brakes: control unit / module

23V6520001,730,192 vehicles affected

Park outside
The problem
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix
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.

What owners say

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52 complaints about the 2014 Kia Rio

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.

Other & unknownFire

Webwas deiving down the road and flames started shooting from underneath the hood we stopped car jumped out and looked back an whole front of car was on fire it burnt most of car

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11755573
Engine & cooling

I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January 2026 shop oil change), flashing CEL, and loud rod knock after oil starvation. Kia corporate denied all extended warranty/campaign relief on 03/18/2025, stating the powertrain warranty expired in 2019 and "no campaigns"...

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apply. This is inconsistent and deceptive: -U.S. Litigation: Early complaints and law-firm summaries in In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (C.D. Cal., 8:18-cv-02223) and related MDL explicitly referenced 2012-2019 Kia Rios with 1.6L Gamma GDI for the exact defect (oil burn -> bearing failure -> seizure/fire risk). However, Kia negotiated to exclude Rios from the final E2 Class Vehicles list (see kiaengineclasssettlement.com FAQ #6), limiting relief to Souls and select others despite the identical engine family. -Canadian Precedent: The McKenzie Lake/Strosberg class action explicitly includes 2012-2017 Kia Rios with Gamma 1.6 GDI for the same issues, providing inspections/repairs - proving the defect transcends model badging. -Safety & Consumer Impact: This selective denial violates Magnuson-Moss (unreasonable warranty conditions) and constitutes deceptive trade practices, as Kia advertised these engines as reliable while knowing the failure mode. I request: immediate investigation, compelled goodwill repair (or full engine replacement), and documentation of how Kia limited Rio coverage in settlement negotiations. Attached are all supporting records.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11725736
Engine & cooling

I tried to get the parts fixed from the recall. However, when I tried to get it serviced I was adviced that the parts would take a few weeks to arrive. With an appending move to Helena, Mt from Lambertville, Mi they informed me that they would not be able to fix the recall issues. There is no KIA dealership within a reasonable distance from my current location. I am having issues with the dealership towing the rio without charging me the amount of $1300. The engine had completely stopped. I towed the car from Michigan to Montana with a Uhaul because of the recall issues.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11661646
Engine & cooling

The engine started to lose power, and the check engine light illuminated. The power drop was most noticable when accelerating from a stop. At times, randomly, the engine RPMs would dip down to 200-300 at idle and would almost stall. Upon further investigation, the engine has been excessively consuming oil. I brought the vehicle to a local mechanic shop to get a detailed diagnosis, they informed me the catalytic converter was clogged and constricting exhaust flow. The engine has developed a ticking/knock. The catalytic converter, and an O2 sensor was replaced with that visit. The ticking/knock persists.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11651826
Other & unknown

Driving to work I exited US-26 in Hillsboro, Oregon at the 185th exit. The exit is an uphill ramp with a traffic signal at the top of the hill. The traffic signal at the end of the ramp was green. I was following a Tesla Model Y and I saw the brake lights activate. I applied my brakes causing my car to slow down and then I had to proceed through a yellow light because I did not think I could stop safely without ending in the intersection. At the next traffic signal, I rolled down my window and yelled to the other...

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driver to not apply their brakes when they are proceeding uphill through a green light. The other driver told me it is "regenerative braking." Unnecessary braking causes disruptions in the flow of traffic. It does not make sense that brake lights would activate if the driver is not applying the brakes.

Filed Incident Unknown or otherNHTSA 11610720
BrakesFire

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). After the recall remedy was completed, the dealer provided documentation indicating that engine rods #3 and #4 were failing and could soon cause the engine to explode if not immediately repaired. Approximately 2 weeks later while the daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate and emit smoke from...

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underneath the hood. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road and safely exit the vehicle as it caught on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled since the fire consumed it. A dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 133,223.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11592161
BrakesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2014 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 check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · EngineNHTSA 11578079
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11573284
BrakesEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2014 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 while driving 15 MPH, she noticed a burning odor and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she made a U-turn and drove back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a...

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reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,362. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · EngineNHTSA 11562635
Brakes

The contact owns a 2014 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after inflating the tires, the ABS warning light disappeared and then later...

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reappeared. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The contact was informed that there would be a service fee to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the vehicle was scheduled for service. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the parts were not available. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11560644
Brakes

The contact owns a 2014 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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a burning odor was detected. The check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11558533
Brakes

The contact owns a 2014 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11556279
Brakes

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop at the traffic light, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact did not recall whether a warning light was illuminated. The contact engaged the electronic parking brake and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred. The contact drove to the residence and parked the vehicle. Upon opening...

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the hood, the contact noticed that there was smoke around the battery, and the battery cable was melting onto the battery terminal. The contact used a wet towel to stop the smoke and disconnected the battery. 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 failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 11556104
Transmission & drivetrainLightsEngine & cooling

Presento iluminacion del mal funcionamiento indicador lampara (mil),abs precaucion light,burning/melting small,and smoke from the engine compartment,engine with noise and broken estoocurrio el 03/08/2023, no tenia la informacion del problema y mande a reparar el motor $ 3,890.00.Necesitoque ustedes me ayuden por este pago. I present lighting of the malfunctioning lamp indicator (mil), abs caution light, burning/melting small, and smoke from the engine compartment, engine with noise and broken this happened on 08/03/2023, I did not have the information about the problem and I sent for repair the engine $3,890.00.Ni need you to help me with this payment.

Filed Incident Power train · Exterior lighting · EngineNHTSA 11555974
Engine & cooling

Summer of 2021 - Code that signaled a failure of the catalytic converter. Taken to Kia to determine the issue which was confirmed to be a faulty catalytic converter that needed repair. After repairing the catalytic converter, oil began being consumed rapidly. This led to the oil light appearing roughly every two weeks. Oil was added to appropriate level when required and changed every 3000 miles. After about 3 months, a rattling noise was heard from the engine compartment. When taken to Kia dealer no issues...

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were found. Late February of 2023 the oil light and appeared while driving on the interstate and the engine began to seize with a large knocking noise coming from the engine. Independent auto mechanic determined that the engine was failing. Car currently runs with a loud knock in the engine.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11535638
Engine & cooling

The car has been burning oil where I have to have it changed every week. I read that California has a lawsuit on lemon law against Kia and Hyundai for burning engines and my 2014 Kia Rio is included but I don't live in California. I am requesting you to do the same thing California is doing and do a lawsuit. I have all the receipts and proof every week I have to add oil because the engine burns oil too quickly.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11533971
Engine & cooling

Smog check came back as Cadillac converter is failing

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11517474
Engine & cooling

Burning excessive oil, shooting oil out of the exhaust, car has less than 48,000 miles and it's shaky when driven feels like it will stall and turn off. Had an oil change done in October 2022 then in early December the oil warning light lit up almost out of oil, had to stop at the nearest shop car was checked and advised to have another oil change I did. but it did not help the problem persists I have to keep adding oil. I am scared to drive the car and currently taking the bus to work. I know that's a Kia problem with excessive oil consumption.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11504381
Engine & cooling

Check engine light on and off, per test says the Catalac converter

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11484130
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

the car has 93000 miles and it started making a knocking noise from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic and told me the engine needs replace because the connecting rod was broken that there have been recalls for KIA's for this problem. I went to the KIA dealer for fix under warranty but they declined for lack of maintenance due to my first oil change was to long I did not retain my receipts. than i researched to find out the government/this sight is investigating Hyundai-KIA for this problem , the RIO was not on the original recall the case has been reopened in December to add the RIO so thats why I am here adding my car to the list.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11475941
Engine & coolingFire

While driving the car caught fire. A Cause & Origin inspection was performed and there is a hole in the engine block consistent with other known KIA recalls. Georgia Farm Bureau insurance claim number PA000000314316

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11473317
Airbags

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming approximately 1/2 to 1 quart of oil per day. The air bag and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact the catalytic convertor was not operating as designed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11434092
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking noise would emit from the engine. The contact stated that she was uncertain if any warning lights had appeared on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that there may be a recall on her vehicle. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that she needed a new engine and diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11430119
Engine & coolingFuel system

Catalytic converter has failed at 80,000 miles

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11423186
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I was driving to take my daughter to work and I notice my car was smoking under the hood and I heard a popping sound and I started to pull over and once I did I realize my car was on fire up under the hood. I have a 2014 kia rio

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11354799

Kia Rio: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201828132Engine & coolingB
201731236Engine & coolingB
201680286Engine & coolingD
2015521410Engine & coolingC
201452178Engine & coolingC
20131531818Engine & coolingF
201254139Engine & coolingC
201124040Engine & coolingA
201026090AirbagsB
All Rio years

2014 Kia Rio vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2014 Kia Rio

Does the 2014 Kia Rio have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2014 Kia Rio: control unit / module (September 2023). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Rio?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (24), brakes (10), airbags (7).

How many complaints has the 2014 Kia Rio had?

52 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 25, 2014 and the latest on August 7, 2026. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 8 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2014 Kia Rio a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Kia Rio year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Kia Rio years have the most complaints?

2001 (224), 2013 (153), 2002 (152). See every Kia Rio year compared.

What should I do if my 2014 Kia Rio has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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