MYRModel Year Report

2012 Kia RIO

● Typical for this model
2012 Kia RIO
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:39:10.749Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
54
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

44% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 223 complaints 2002: 128 complaints 2003: 74 complaints 2003 2004: 38 complaints 2005: 37 complaints 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 46 complaints 2008: 46 complaints 2009: 39 complaints 2009 2010: 26 complaints 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 54 complaints 2012 54 2013: 153 complaints 2014: 52 complaints 2015: 52 complaints 2015 2016: 79 complaints 2017: 31 complaints 2018: 28 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints 2020: 27 complaints 2021: 15 complaints 2021 2022: 12 complaints 2023: 12 complaints
2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 223 complaints 2002: 128 complaints 2002 2003: 74 complaints 2004: 38 complaints 2004 2005: 37 complaints 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 46 complaints 2008: 46 complaints 2008 2009: 39 complaints 2010: 26 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 54 complaints 2012 54 2013: 153 complaints 2014: 52 complaints 2014 2015: 52 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 31 complaints 2018: 28 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints 2020: 27 complaints 2020 2021: 15 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 12 complaints
2000: 3 complaints 2000 2001: 223 complaints 2001 2002: 128 complaints 2002 2003: 74 complaints 2003 2004: 38 complaints 2004 2005: 37 complaints 2005 2006: 74 complaints 2006 2007: 46 complaints 2007 2008: 46 complaints 2008 2009: 39 complaints 2009 2010: 26 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 54 complaints 2012 54 2013: 153 complaints 2013 2014: 52 complaints 2014 2015: 52 complaints 2015 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 31 complaints 2017 2018: 28 complaints 2018 2019: 22 complaints 2019 2020: 27 complaints 2020 2021: 15 complaints 2021 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 12 complaints 2023

2012: 54 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20003
2001223
2002128
200374
200438
200537
200674
200746
200846
200939
201026
201124
201254
2013153
201452
201552
201679
201731
201828
201922
202027
202115
202212
202312

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

44% · 24 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Waiting to get air in my tire. Car was turned off and the car started fire under the hood.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-02-05

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Kia RIO. The contact stated while her son was driving at 30 MPH, white smoke appeared and flames started from the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-17

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Kia RIO. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, when depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to accelerate over 25 MPH. The contact stated the vehicle began to hesitate and made an abnormal noise.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-02-21

Air bags

22% · 12 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

We ran into a telephone poll at about 25 miles an hour and the air bags did not deploy and seat belts did not look, passenger hit the windshield with head and driver hit his chest into the steering wheel and hurt chest.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-01-17

Also filed under Seat belts

Fuel/propulsion system

13% · 7 reports

Vehicle speed control

11% · 6 reports
CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

11% · 6 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Kia RIO. The contact stated that at engine startup, all of the electrical components failed to work the vehicle was taken to the dealer four times for the same failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-28

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
  2. I
    2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
  3. R
    2024-03-29Service brakes, hydraulic23V652000 Kia America, Inc.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Kia RIO — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 24 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 23V652000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2012 Kia RIO reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Kia RIO is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Kia RIO?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Kia RIO have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.