2018 Kia RIO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Kia RIO has 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: on 10/02/2021 - was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. accident cause by acceleration issue with kia rio. need advice on how to get kia to replace total vehicle. auto insurance is just calling it a accident.. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 4 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

15 complaints

38%

• On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.
• Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.
• Excessive engine oil consumption which has caused car to enter limp mode

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

5 complaints

13%

• My vehicle was recalled for a "interior trunk release" issue. My trunk will not open at all anymore. Kia's website does not allow me to schedule an appointment due to glitches on website. I also tried calling Kia and got no answer.
• I received notice on 2/10/22 that there was a remedy part for my 2018 Kia Rio. The letter said it was a recall part involving a latch that opens my trunk from the inside. I tried repeatedly since then to make an appointment at Glendale, CA or Alhambra, CA Kia dealerships thru the Kia website but the
• My vehicle was stolen while parked with a club on the steering wheel then damaged and abandoned. I was without a vehicle for a month during repairs. It has been reported on the news that Kias are easily stolen due to the type of ignition system. A recall to fix this is need immediately!

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“My vehicle was recalled for a "interior trunk release" issue. My trunk will not open at all anymore. Kia's website does not allow me to schedule an appointment due to glitches on website. I also tried calling Kia and got no answer.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

10%

• 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 [XXX]
• Auto theft alarm listed as standard. There is NO THEFT DETECTION AT ALL. There is only a bogus flashing led that does nothing when parked. This is fraud.
• The first problem part is the airbag. The clockspring was fixed twice under warranty. Then the dealership said they wont keep doing it and blamed me wrongly. I had a private mechanic repair the same part twice due to the code it was giving but it turns out thats not what's wrong with it. The entire

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

“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 [XXX]”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

10%

• I HIT A DEER HEAD ON GOING 74 MPH ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
• My car is a 2018 Kia Rio that has a clean history and has never been in an accident. Recently my airbag light came on and I had a diagnostic run that showed a B1448 code indicating an OCS mat defect in the passenger seat. The 2015-2018 Kia Sedona models also had the same problem and were issued safe
• The first problem part is the airbag. The clockspring was fixed twice under warranty. Then the dealership said they wont keep doing it and blamed me wrongly. I had a private mechanic repair the same part twice due to the code it was giving but it turns out thats not what's wrong with it. The entire

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I HIT A DEER HEAD ON GOING 74 MPH ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

2 complaints

• 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 [XXX]
• Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 39 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: My vehicle was recalled for a "interior trunk release" issue. My trunk will not open at all anymore. Kia's website does not allow me to schedule an appointment due to glitches on website. I also tried calling Kia and got no answer.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 [XXX]
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: I HIT A DEER HEAD ON GOING 74 MPH ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE. SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)