2013 Kia Rio problems and complaints

Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Rio. The most-reported areas: Engine (53), Air Bags (34), Service Brakes (30).

Key takeaways

  • 153 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 8 involve a crash, 18 a fire, 8 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5335%
Air Bags3422%
Service Brakes3020%
Electrical System2718%
Hydraulic2114%
Unknown Or Other1912%
Steering107%
Fuel/Propulsion System75%
Exterior Lighting64%
Power Train53%
Vehicle Speed Control53%
Visibility/Wiper53%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD4/54/55/54/5
2013 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD4/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic - filed 2026-04-20

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 that the brake pedal wa...

Electrical System - filed 2026-03-24

Was sleeping and heard a pop looked and there was a fire under the hood tried to extinguish it got it outside on the road, and it burned to the ground basically

Steering,electrical System,engine - filed 2026-02-02

Case numberODI11697241

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More for the 2013 Kia Rio

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.