The Kia Rio is a car with a great track record for safety and reliability. Kia had a reputation in the 90s for building affordable but lower-quality cars.
We’ve looked at how long the Kia Rio models last and now it’s time to look at some of the typicaly problems.
Now, Kia rivals Honda and Toyota for safety, reliability, and overall quality.
The Kia Rio in particular is a great sedan, but there are some known issues that buyers should be aware of.
Table of Contents
Engine Stalls, Misfires, and Idles Rough
One of the most common issues with the engine in the Kia Rio is idling rough and misfiring. The engine is already considered to be pretty loud for such a compact car, but in these cases, it is really noticeable.
This problem can develop surprisingly quickly, even in new cars.
The engine runs loudly when idling and could misfire abruptly whether it is on the highway or in your driveway.
It’s a disconcerting sound.
Causes and Solutions for Engine Stalls, Misfires, and Idles Rough in a Kia Rio
The spark plugs in the Kia Rio are one of the weak points in the engine, and frequently need to be replaced earlier than you might think.
If you notice the engine misfiring or loud idling, you probably need to replace the spark plugs.
Illuminated Check-Engine Light
Kia Rio owners have reported that their check-engine lights have come on for non-issues.
The problem with the check engine light is that it could be pointing to a serious engine problem, but there is a significant chance that it is just a sensor malfunctioning.
The most common culprit is the oxygen sensor, which is prone to failure in Kia Rios.
But in some cases (reported in Kia Rio models made between 2001 and 2008) the check engine light continued to be illuminated even after multiple parts were replaced.
Causes and Solutions for an Illuminated Check Engine Light in a Kia Rio
The problem is most likely in the automatic transmission control computer.
A known issue causes the check engine light to illuminate even though all of the parts and sensors are working properly.
This is a software issue that can only be fixed by replacing or reprogramming the transmission computer.
A Kia dealership can do this for you.
Loud Engine Noise, Sluggish Acceleration
If your Kia Rio is making a lot of noise, especially while accelerating, you’re not alone.
The Kia Rio has been known to make loud “straining” noises while accelerating.
In some cases, acceleration is frustratingly slow.
This issue develops over time for some people, while other people notice it even with brand new models. Although it might be annoying, this issue is rarely severe enough for it to cause people to take it to a repair shop.
Check also the general problems across all Kia car models.
Causes and Solutions for Loud Engine Noise and Sluggish Acceleration in a Kia Rio
One theory is that the Kia Rio is not designed to run at its best under 1700rpm.
One owner claims to have fixed the loud engine noise by manually shifting the automatic transmission beyond 2500rpm.
Another possibility is a known issue with the transmission control module.
The transmission control module is supposed to detect when the car is struggling and change gears appropriately, but Kia Rio owners have noticed that in some cases the computer gets it wrong, resulting in poor acceleration and a “straining” sound in the engine.
The car might choose second gear over first when climbing a hill, or shift into third gear prematurely because the software is not doing its job properly.
The fix for this is to reprogram the transmission control module with the latest software from Kia. It can only be fixed with software updates.
A/C Problems
Loud, vibrating and rattling air-conditioning accompanied by the chemical smell of burning rubber might be the first sign that your Kia is having a major A/C issue.
Owners report that the air-conditioning unit is still functioning and putting out cool air, but you can tell from the vibration, sound, and smell that it is about to fail.
This is not an uncommon problem with Kia Rios made between 2002 and 2013.
Causes and Solutions for A/C Problems in a Kia Rio
This issue is caused by a defective A/C compressor. The clutch wears out prematurely, causing problems.
You shouldn’t have to remove the A/C system entirely to fix this.
Replacing the A/C compressor alone should fix the issue, and if you are lucky, you might be able to replace just the A/C compressor clutch.
It is possible to do this repair by yourself, by ordering a Kia Rio A/C compressor online and following a guide.
However, if you are not comfortable, a local repair shop or Kia dealership can do this for you.
Safety Recalls
Some known issues with the Kia Rio are safety-related and have led to massive recalls over the years.
If you are buying a used Kia Rio, you will need to make sure that the vehicle you are purchasing was either not affected by any of these recalls, or was repaired by a Kia Dealership.
A cracked inlet nipple in the fuel distribution rack led to a recall of 187,000 Kia Rios in 2004.
Owners reported fuel leaks that were linked to fires. A similar problem a year earlier caused a recall, also because of fuel leaks.
However, these were not dangerous and did not lead to fires. If you have a fuel leak in your Kia Rio, get it checked out as soon as possible.
Kia recalled 24,000 Rios in 2005 after discovering that an error in the way wheels were made led some of them to crack after a lot of mileage.
In 2007 and 2008 there were recalls issued because the airbag in the front passenger’s seat had an issue that kept it from being able to determine whether or not a child is in the passenger’s seat.
In 2021, Kia Rios were recalled because the brake master cylinder was manufactured with sharp edges that could damage the inner oil seal, reducing braking performance.
You can find out if your vehicle was subject to a recall by entering the VIN on Kia’s Website.
If your vehicle has been recalled at any point and has not been to the dealership, you’ll need to take it in.
This should be free of charge, even if you’re taking it in much later.
General Pros and Cons for Kia Rios
The Kia Rio is a compact and affordable car that is more reliable than most.
What it lacks in storage space and extra features, it more than makes up for in fuel efficiency and durability.
The Pros of Owning a Kia Rio
1. The Kia Rio is Well-Built for the Price
With a cheaper price tag than comparable sedans, you might expect the Kia Rio to be built with a lighter, less durable construction, but this is not the case.
The materials used in the Kia Rio, from the plastic to the steel, are high quality and likely to last.
Whether you are buying a used car or a new Kia Rio, you can be confident that it is an investment that will last.
2. Long Warranty
Kia is so confident in the durability of the Rio that they offer an exceptional warranty: 5 years or 60,000 km bumper-to-bumper, and 10 years or 100,000 km powertrain warranty, including roadside assistance for the first five years.
Buying a new Kia means not only starting with the latest model with improved functionality, but it also means being covered if you are affected by any of the most common issues with the Kia Rio.
3. Impressive Fuel Economy
Past models of the Kia Rio have always been fuel-efficient, but the Rio has gotten better over time.
The 2022 Kia Rio boasts 36 mpg on paper, and Edmunds.com was able to get much better mileage than that when performing their tests.
If you want to spend less on gas, the Kia Rio is a great option.
The Cons of Owning a Kia Rio
There are also some drawbacks to the Kia Rio:
- Loud Engine
- Not a Lot of Cargo Space
- Standard Equipment (unless you pay for the S Trim package)
What do the Reviews Say?
“The Rio is one of the better subcompact cars, but it’s still basic transportation. It is a loud car, with a stiff ride and leisurely acceleration from its 1.6-liter engine.”
Consumerreports.org
“The Kia Rio is a fine device for going from point A to point B. It’s easy to drive and reasonably comfortable. Kia’s warranty is great too. There’s not much personality to it, but if you need something inexpensive, the Rio will serve your needs perfectly.”
Edmunds.com
What’s the Resale Value of a Kia Rio?
| Year | Mileage (Miles | Price (USD) |
| 2008 | 128,501 | $3,200 |
| 2009 | 64,403 | $7,980 |
| 2010 | 95,667 | $6,250 |
| 2011 | 121,774 | $9,995 |
| 2012 | 115,424 | $8,900 |
| 2013 | 93,265 | $12,999 |
| 2014 | 62,180 | $12,990 |
| 2015 | 69,293 | $13,977 |
| 2016 | 85,140 | $13,977 |
| 2017 | 113,691 | $15,988 |
| 2018 | 64,810 | $16,477 |
| 2019 | 20,656 | $18,999 |
| 2020 | 17,651 | $19,452 |
| 2021 | 4,230 | $22,990 |
Final Thoughts
The Kia Rio has always been a durable, cheap, and reliable car, and the design quality has improved over time. The fourth-generation Rios (2018-present) have fewer issues than the older models.
Overall, RepairPal gives the Kia Rio a 4/5, or excellent rating.
Despite this, there have been some issues with the Kia Rio, especially with the software used for the transmission control module, low-quality spark plugs, and faulty A/C compressors.
If you are deciding whether or not to buy a Kia Rio, look for these issues and ask about any repairs that have been done.
You could save yourself some time and energy by identifying common issues with the Kia Rio in advance.
Resources
GO BACK: Problems for all Kia models.
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ⓘ The information in this article is based on data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall reports, consumer complaints submitted to the NHTSA, reliability ratings from J.D. Power, auto review and rating sites such as Edmunds, specialist forums, etc. We analyzed this data to provide insights into the best and worst years for these vehicle models.