2015 Kia RIO — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2015: 52 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2000	3
2001	223
2002	128
2003	74
2004	38
2005	36
2006	74
2007	46
2008	46
2009	39
2010	26
2011	24
2012	52
2013	153
2014	51
2015	52
2016	77
2017	31
2018	27
2019	21
2020	26
2021	15
2022	10
2023	12

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 44%

44% of complaints: engine — 23 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150928

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250228

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250917

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150928

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180214

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 2015 KIA RIO WHILE DRIVING ON A DRY SMOOTH ROAD IN A NEIGHBORHOOD FOR NO REASON. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR, AND THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180205

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150126

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Kia RIO — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (23 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (9 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 23V652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2017 ● 2005 ● 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2001 ■ 2013 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2015 Kia RIO reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Kia RIO is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia RIO?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2015 Kia RIO have?

1 recall on file for this model year.