What 52 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Rio

tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs

NHTSA ODI 11687911

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flame jutting up from the engine. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames but did not provide details on a possible cause for the fire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be evaluated by the insurance provider. The contact was unaware if a fire report had been filed. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645607

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the failure was caused by the catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11639547

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her son was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI 11624705

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the friend was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power, and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The vehicle was parked and the friend exited the vehicle and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and later towed away to a nearby towing facility. A fire and police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure and fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11608150

The contact owns a 2015 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 contacted. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11603474

Engine making noise and smelling like it’s burning. Towed to mechanic said oil was not there despite recent oil change and said sparks of metal was on oil dipstick. Now being told needs new engine after recall oiece completed and the car has less than 110k miles. Kia will not honor an engine replacement.

NHTSA ODI 11600775

The contact owns a 2015 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 check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that reimbursement for a rental vehicle would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11584125

My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue

NHTSA ODI 11581907

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before that day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new valve cover gasket and it was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle continued with a burning oil odor. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,410.

NHTSA ODI 11579926

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11578101

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, the steering wheel began shaking and the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. Additionally, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the speed of the vehicle increased dramatically. The vehicle then stalled and was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor and air fuel ration sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11576831

The contact owns a 2015 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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11563005

The contact owns a 2015 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 not contacted. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11557786

The contact owns a 2015 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 and confirmed that parts were not yet available. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11556647

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11556453

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ODI 11549626

My oil light does not and has not ever notified me of my oil level being low. The engine burns oil for unknown reasons. The oil dip stick tells me my oil is full after adding two quarts of oil but it’s calls for 3.8 quarts of oil.?

NHTSA ODI 11547595

My vehicle consumes oil according to my Midas repair shop. I was unaware that when I brought it in for regular servicing, the engine was almost empty of oil according to the mechanic. It had been rattling upon acceleration and lacking power set on ECO, but I ignored it. Now, I have to check and add 1/2 to 1 quart of oil every 7-10 days as the dipstick shows oil is low and also very dark. There is also an engine warning light on most of the time but it comes up as from the Catalytic Converter which I doubt. The electrical system also flashes on the dash where the a/c settings and circulation fan are on ocassion but is corrected when the temp guage is adjusted 1 click toward the warmer setting. I was notified of the lack of oil on my visit to Midas for an oli change back in April 2023. The mileage was 110,000 then. Everyone I know who has/had a Kia has had this problem and 3 have lost their engines as a result. Kia has lost my confidence because nothing was advised to owners until I found out of this common and costly issue just by chance. I wont buy another Kia now.

NHTSA ODI 11543423

After an oil routine change last May, my mechanic informed me that the engine had almost no oil. I had been hearing a rattle when accelerating at times and noticed the vehicle seemed to be having trouble when increasing speeds were necessary (entering higher traffic areas/highway on ramps). I had always met the scheduled oil change requirements since I bought it in 2019 but this was the first time I had been told of this. The mechanic told me that it has been known that these vehicles have this problem. I usually went to the same reputable mechanic. Now, as requested by the mechanic, I check the oil each week and find that I have to add 1 quart every 10 days or less to keep the engine from failing outright. The engine light periodically comes on and goes off again, but I was told it was possibly related to the catalytic converter. I do not feel confident driving it much longer especially on highways because of possible engine failure on very hot summer days leaving me stranded in the heat.

NHTSA ODI 11530792

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and the contact smelled an oil burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic stated that the engine was misfiring, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the misfire and stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,287.

NHTSA ODI 11513667

Burning excessive oil, rod bearing noise

NHTSA ODI 11476765

When the accessory power (not ignition) is left on for more than 5 minutes and I go to start the car WITHOUT returning the key to the off position first, the power steering WILL fail and will cease to operate. I have to turn the car off completely and then restart it to get the power steering to operate again. I am used to it now but someone that is not used to it, they will be surprised if they pull out straight and go to turn with no assistance. The power steering warning light will stay illuminated during the failure but is hard to notice as it comes on momentarily (like an oil light) when the ignition is tuned on and the engine is started. The warning light is small and just blends in with the dash. My car is available for inspection at any time. Yes, others are at risk. I CAN reproduce the problem at any time. Reported to Kia dealer but they could care less. First occurred a few months after the car was bought new and happens multiple times weekly to present date. The car now has 68,000 miles on the odometer.

NHTSA ODI 11455141

After two weeks of buying the car from a dealer, I was driving and I heard a noise in the engine, when I checked it had almost no motor oil. I have changed the oil and filter, but it consumes 2 quarts every 2 weeks (less than 1,000 miles). This has been happening since April 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11438819

Last night, my car ran exactly as usual. No warning lights on the dash. No strange sounds. This morning when I started the car, there was a weird ticking sound coming from the engine. I decided to take the car into the shop. About a mile from home, it began to have trouble with acceleration and would randomly stall for a fraction of a second before catching again. The ticking sound became unbearable just as the check engine light and oil level lights turned on, so I pulled over and called a tow truck. After inspection at the auto shop, my beloved car was diagnosed with premature engine failure. The mechanic explained that this engine consumed oil rather than just using it to lubricate the moving parts, meaning that even religious oil changes are not enough. Had I continued driving instead of calling a tow, my car likely would have caught fire! Now I have no car (well a car but no engine) and because I am the second owner, the warranty doesn't apply to me. I have been a loyal Kia and Hyundai owner despite bad publicity over the years because I saw major improvements and innovative growth in the company. Kia tells me that because there is no active recall on the engine and I don't qualify for the warranty, there's nothing they can do. Please note they are actively involved in a lawsuit with the goal of recalling the 1.6L Gamma engines in Kia Rio 2015 for this very reason! There are a small percentage of defective engines that pose a fire risk in these cars. Raising awareness by contacting the company directly and reporting to NHTSA is the only way that Kia/Hyundai might do something about it!

NHTSA ODI 11419335