2017 Kia RIO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Kia RIO has 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. 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.. ⚠️ 7 fire reports filed.

7 fire reports 4 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

BRAKES

7 complaints

19%

• 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.
• 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contac
• 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amoun

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints

17%

• 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.
• Unknown- trunk won’t open even after pulling the inside emergency cord
• I took my KIA Rio to mechanic for knocking noise in engine. Mechanic said it's not the original engine and has been replaced. Nuts and bolts are rusted and some aren't even tightened or torqued correctly. I am the second owner of this car and could have been in an accident. This is very scary. There

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

3 complaints

• 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
• WAS ENVOLVED IN A WRECK TO WHERE I WENT OFF THE ROAD HIT A STOP SIGN,,A TELEPHONE BOX,,A OAK TREE THEN A PINE TREE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOW MY WIFE HAS A BROKEN BACK AND CHEST BONE,,I GOT A BUSTED UP KNEE A SPRANG SHOLDER NECK AND BACK
• THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE CAR HIT A FENCE KNOCKED IT DOWN & HIT A TREE IT IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• 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
• Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind y
• No parts available to fix hydraulic electronic control unit HECU. Been told this since December 2023. Received another letter dated 4/10/3024. The remedy is now available. Being told again there are no parts. Went by another car insurance company. Being told I cannot get a quote because of repair pr

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)