Is the 2017 Kia RIO reliable?

The 2017 Kia RIO has 36 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Kia RIO?

Top problems: ENGINE (10 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (7 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Kia RIO?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Kia RIO?

The 2017 Kia RIO gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Kia RIO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Kia RIO is approximately $1,575/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Kia RIO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Kia RIO has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 38. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: my car needs oil every 3 to 4 days. there is no blue smoke and there is no signs of oil leaks. the vehicle was in an accident before i purchased it.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 4 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

10 complaints

28%

• My car needs oil every 3 to 4 days. There is no blue smoke and there is no signs of oil leaks. The vehicle was in an accident before I purchased it.
• This vehicle has electrical issues none stop. One day it randomly stalled out while still in motion and lost all power. No power at all. It was “repaired” and I had it for 2 weeks and it again lost all power while in motion. It put my life completely at risk as I had to pull over into a parking lot
• Excessive oil burning causing catalytic converter to go bad. Oil change every 3,000 miles with synthetic oil. Car was making knocking noise and having a hard time accelerating and going up hill.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports

“My car needs oil every 3 to 4 days. There is no blue smoke and there is no signs of oil leaks. The vehicle was in an accident before I purchased it.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (2)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH24/08/2023

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."

Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Kia RIO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,778/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,334/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Kia RIO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,575

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1575

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia RIO Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2017 RIO, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 36 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: My car needs oil every 3 to 4 days. There is no blue smoke and there is no signs of oil leaks. The vehicle was in an accident before I purchased it.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: The contact owns a 2017 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE TRUNK IS NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED MANUALLY, EXCEPT THROUGH THE KEY FOB. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE THE TRUNK, THE LATCHING MECHANISM WILL NOT ENGAGE AND THE TRUNK IS UNABLE TO LATCH SHUT. BOTH INCIDENTS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AT 55 MPH HITTING A STOP SIGN A TELEPHONE BOX A OAK TREE THEN A PINE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WIFE HAS A BROKEN BACK AND CHEST BONE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)