KIA RIO Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA RIO across 18 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (21). The words owners use most often: “brakes hydraulic contacted” (12% of reports).
- 126service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 11%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brakes hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 15 of 126 complaints (12%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 50 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 126 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 an injury.
KIA RIO service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 RIO | 6 | 19% | — |
| 2016 RIO | 12 | 16% | 60,000 |
| 2015 RIO | 9 | 17% | 94,000 |
| 2014 RIO | 7 | 13% | 95,000 |
| 2013 RIO | 21 | 14% | 114,928 |
| 2012 RIO | 3 | 6% | — |
| 2011 RIO | 1 | 4% | 13,000 |
| 2010 RIO | 2 | 8% | 9,000 |
| 2009 RIO | 2 | 5% | 22,450 |
| 2008 RIO | 3 | 7% | 10,000 |
| 2007 RIO | 5 | 11% | 13,000 |
| 2006 RIO | 2 | 3% | 53,000 |
| 2005 RIO | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2004 RIO | 4 | 11% | 34,508 |
| 2003 RIO | 12 | 16% | 15,000 |
| 2002 RIO | 18 | 14% | 8,100 |
| 2001 RIO | 17 | 8% | 30,000 |
| 2000 RIO | 1 | 33% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2020, 2021
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles. The brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can cause longer brake pedal travel or extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC223.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact called on behalf of her mother, who owned a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's mother noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's mother stated…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact had notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The recall repair was performed; however, while starting the vehicle the check engine, ABS, and oil warning…
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…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA RIOs have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the KIA RIO. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA RIO service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA RIO?
The most frequent phrase is “brakes hydraulic contacted”, in 15 of 126 complaints.
Other KIA RIO problems
- Air Bags problems (272)
- Engine problems (237)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (158)
- Electrical System problems (152)
See all KIA RIO problems.