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Electrical systemPart report

2013 Kia RIO Electrical system Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
18%of 153 total for the year
Median mileage
67,126miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 Kia RIO, 18% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,126 miles. 8 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The air bag warning light is on. The dealership states this means the air bag will not deploy in an accident. Kia has extended the warranty for the clock spring but the dealership refuses to fix because it has not been recalled. This is placing me and my family in danger of being seriously injured or killed if in an accident”

NHTSA complaint #11374939, filed 2020-11, 120,000 miles

“When we pulled up to the red light, the idle stop and go system engaged and stopped the engine. When the light turned green, I released the brake and, as we were on a downslope, we immediately began rolling into the intersection. Unfortunately the go part didn't work and the engine didn't restart. The light had turned red again before I could figure out that I had to put the car into neutral to restart it with the key.”

NHTSA complaint #10465265, filed 2012-07, 2,700 miles

“I was driving home work on the freeway and had only been on the road for 15 minutes. It was rush hour traffic and had my window down when I noticed and electrical burning smell. I thought it might be from from something outside and kept driving. The smell got stronger and stronger. After just a couple minutes of further driving smoke started pouring in from my defrost vents. I got the vehicle to the side of the road and just as I got out flames were coming from under the hood of the car and it was totally engulfed in seconds. …”

NHTSA complaint #11040984, filed 2017-10, 89,000 miles

“Just bought a 2013 RIO with 28,000 miles on it on 9/2/16. The car sat in our driveway all last week because we were on vacation, so we maybe put 100 miles on it and drove it 4 times. Drove 20 minutes round trip to the post office yesterday, parked in driveway and went back into house to work. Wife came home from work about 10 minutes later and came running in the house saying the new car is on fire. Called 911 and before fire department was able to get there, the flames were as high as our second floor windows. …”

NHTSA complaint #10907339, filed 2016-09, 28,200 miles

“On2 occasions I requested my service department look at the radio when the car was taken in for the second check. Both times the service department stated he had forgotten but sure it was nothing to worry about newer cars are sensitive a pump in the road can make the radio jump second time the tire pressure as well as the radio jumping I was told the same nothing to worry about they will be sure to check it on the next visit. April 2015 I hit a pot hole the clutch hit the floor. I immediately pull into a gas station to add fluid to the chamber. The chamber was full. …”

NHTSA complaint #10895779, filed 2016-08, 1,900 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023217%
202218%
202117%
2020519%
201915%
2018518%
2017310%
2016911%
2015917%
2014510%
20132718%
2012611%
2011521%
2010415%
200925%
200812%
2007817%
200634%
2005411%
2004513%
20031520%
200286%
20012511%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia RIO

Engine
53 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia RIO

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology