2014 KIA RIO Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 7, 2026 · 52 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other RIO years
More complaints than other years 8th of 24 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 KIA RIO. That ranks 8th out of 24 RIO model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (24 complaints, 46%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 8 fires, 4 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

KIA RIO
2017 Kia Rio (YB) S 5-door hatchback. Photographed in Fremantle, Western Australia , Australia.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2014 KIA RIO problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine24 · ~70,000 mi
Air Bags7 · ~35,000 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7 · ~95,000 mi
Power Train6 · ~25,350 mi
Structure6 · ~35,375 mi
Unknown or Other6 · ~56,500 mi
Electrical System5 · ~20,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System4 · ~32,000 mi
Service Brakes3 · ~35,000 mi
Wheels2 · ~12,400 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine2446%70,000——
Air Bags713%35,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic713%95,000——
Power Train612%25,350——
Structure612%35,375——
Unknown or Other612%56,500——
Electrical System510%20,000——
Fuel/propulsion System48%32,000——
Service Brakes36%35,000——
Wheels24%12,400——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility12%9,100——
Exterior Lighting12%———
Seat Belts12%680——
Steering12%680——
Vehicle Speed Control12%3,500——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2023, with 10 complaints
2014: 5201452015: 8201582016: 7201672017: 3201732019: 3201932020: 2202022021: 3202132022: 3202232023: 102023102024: 4202442025: 2202522026: 220262

n = 52 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2014 KIA RIO recalls (1)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
  • Engine Fires (EA21003) — opened Dec 22, 2021, closed Feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V877.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Webwas deiving down the road and flames started shooting from underneath the hood we stopped car jumped out and looked back an whole front of car was on fire it burnt most of car

Unknown or Other · received Aug 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11755573

I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January…

Engine · received Mar 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11725736

I tried to get the parts fixed from the recall. However, when I tried to get it serviced I was adviced that the parts would take a few weeks to arrive. With an appending move to Helena, Mt from Lambertville, Mi they informed me that they would not be able to fix the recall issues. There is no KIA…

Engine · received May 17, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11661646

The engine started to lose power, and the check engine light illuminated. The power drop was most noticable when accelerating from a stop. At times, randomly, the engine RPMs would dip down to 200-300 at idle and would almost stall. Upon further investigation, the engine has been excessively…

Engine · received Mar 31, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11651826

Driving to work I exited US-26 in Hillsboro, Oregon at the 185th exit. The exit is an uphill ramp with a traffic signal at the top of the hill. The traffic signal at the end of the ramp was green. I was following a Tesla Model Y and I saw the brake lights activate. I applied my brakes causing my…

Unknown or Other · received Aug 25, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11610720

Other KIA RIO years

← 2013 RIO · 2015 RIO →

See all KIA RIO problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 KIA RIO?

Owners most often report engine, air bags, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 24 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2014 KIA RIO?

Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2014 KIA RIO a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RIO model years, the 2014 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.