2015 Kia Rio problems and complaints

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Rio. The most-reported areas: Engine (23), Service Brakes (12), Electrical System (9).

Key takeaways

  • 52 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 4 involve a crash, 10 a fire, 11 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2344%
Service Brakes1223%
Electrical System917%
Hydraulic917%
Air Bags510%
Engine And Engine Cooling48%
Unknown Or Other48%
Vehicle Speed Control36%
Structure24%
Seat Belts24%
Fuel/Propulsion System12%
Steering12%

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

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2015 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD4/54/55/54/5
2015 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD4/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Electrical System,engine,fuel/Propulsion System - filed 2025-09-17

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. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had c...

Service Brakes, Hydraulic - filed 2025-02-28

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 jutting up from the en...

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,engine And Engine Cooling - filed 2025-01-30

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 vehicle was taken to...

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More for the 2015 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.