The trunk latch is broken which is a known recall for KIA but not for my car model. There is no way to access the trunk otherwise. Now my tail light is out and cannot be fixed because I cannot access the trunk. There is NO OTHER WAY TO ACCESS THE TRUNK.
Lights
Kia Rio Lighting problems by year
35 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Rio's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.
Lighting complaints by model year
Latest Rio lighting complaints
I am filing this complaint regarding a persistent low beam headlight failure on my 2016 Kia Rio that has not been resolved after a paid repair at an authorized Kia dealership. The low beam headlights on my vehicle stopped functioning. I brought the vehicle to Car Pros Kia in [[redacted]] for diagnosis and repair on [redacted].. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a faulty Body Control Module (BCM) and replaced it on [redacted]. The dealership released the car to me with a 25-point inspection reading that all...
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exterior lights were functional. The repair did not fix the problem - my low beams remain non-functional. I returned the vehicle on May 15th, 2026 so they can remedy the repair. They released my vehicle to me a second time with no functioning low-beam headlights. On [redacted], the dealership is now quoting $3,205.01 for a wiring harness replacement as a third repair attempt, with no acknowledgment that the original diagnosis was incorrect. My vehicle was returned to me in an unsafe condition following a paid repair. Non-functional low beams are a safety hazard, particularly for nighttime driving. I am aware that Kia has a documented history of headlamp low beam connector wiring harness failures across multiple models, including extended warranty coverage and TSB ELE179 issued for similar issues in other Kia vehicles. I am requesting this complaint be added to the record for the 2016 Kia Rio. If other owners are experiencing similar issues, I believe this warrants investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am filing a complaint regarding repeated failures of the LED tail light assemblies on my 2016 Kia Rio. This vehicle uses combination tail lights that include both standard bulbs and integrated LED brake lights. The LED portion has failed multiple times over the life of the vehicle. I am now experiencing failure again, requiring replacement of multiple tail light assemblies. Each assembly costs approximately $400, and my vehicle requires four total units. This results in a significant repair cost for what should...
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be a long-lasting component. LED lighting is widely expected to last far longer than traditional bulbs, and repeated failure raises concerns about product reliability and safety. The failure is intermittent and occurs at the brake light function. At times, the brake light does not illuminate unless the connector is physically manipulated. This creates a serious safety hazard, as following drivers may not be properly alerted when braking. This is not normal wear and tear. Brake lights are a critical safety system, and failure of sealed LED assemblies - especially more than once - suggests a design or manufacturing defect. I am requesting that this issue be reviewed for potential defect investigation, as other owners may be experiencing similar failures with these LED tail light systems. Vehicle Information: * Make: Kia * Model: Rio * Year: 2016 * Trim: SX * Component: Rear Tail Light / Brake Light (LED combo Assembly) I contacted Kia Customer Care regarding this issue and was advised to take the vehicle to a dealership and pay for a diagnostic inspection, with no guarantee that any repair would be covered. Given the repeated nature of this failure, the high cost of the assemblies, and the serious safety concerns for drivers, passengers and others on the road, this response is concerning. Thank you for your attention to this safety concern.
This is neither a failure nor a malfunction but on several occasions I have had the light switch turn off at night while driving. I can reach over and push a button to the left of the steering wheel under the ac/heat vent and in doing so my arm has rolled the headlight switch off. I have to hurry up and turn them back on. The switch should lock somewhat in place as to take a purposeful twist for it to turn. The headlight switch turns too easy and it could cause an accident at night.
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.
When i purchased this vehicle, I had to replace all 4 rear led tail lights. Now 2 years later I have to replace the right rear led side tail light. These led lights should not be going out this soon. Why can't Kia recall this part. This is a safety issue that i should not be replacing this soon.
Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.
The Passenger Headlight has water inside it, and water vapor. The connections for the light blubs is corroding.
marker lights on the right side won't work both went off line and licence light same side is out same time and bulbs ,fuse replaced and still not working the kia service will not fix in kia of manharttan in kansas andi have 68,000 miles and they didn't offer a basic warrantty to be long when online for my my car and suppose to be under warranty for 110;00
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 kia rio. The contact stated the brake lights failed to function while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The contact was informed that the vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
When driving at night the headlights will go out. This usually happens when I use the blinker, or go over a safety speed bump, but the headlights have gone off on their own too. I contacted the kia dealer but since there's no recall on the rio they will not fix it. They did say there was a recall for the same issue on another type of kia but not the rio. This has been happening since I bought the used car in 2016. When I realized it was happening the warranty had expired
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.
When haedlights are on automatic and turn on turn signal and make turn when turn signal goes off after making turn it turns off head lights when moving
On two occasions my vehicle (in motion) has gotten smoke, I smelled burnt, and it was electric shock when I touched the board, I have already reported it to the agency that corresponds to me, however they have not solved my problem, I am afraid that it could burn my vehicle, my phone number is [[redacted]] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
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.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data