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EnginePart report

2013 Kia RIO Engine Problems

Complaints
53about this part
Share
35%of 153 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 53 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Kia RIO, 35% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 13 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“While running the engine burns through oil very quickly. Engine does not warn that oil is low but begins to run 'roughly' when oil is needed. I add oil every couple of weeks in between actual oil changes. I only discovered this problem when I took the car in for maintenance and my mechanic told me that there was zero oil in it and he was surprised that the engine was even running at all.”

NHTSA complaint #11256382, filed 2019-09, 85,000 miles

“Car burns through oil. No leaks, just burns oil. When oil is empty, no check oil light comes on. Must add oil constantly. My mechanic said I had 'no oil' in my engine during my last check. He filled it up and then I decided to check it myself a couple of months later and the same thing is happening.”

NHTSA complaint #11173063, filed 2019-01, 80,000 miles

“I was driving on the highway at 70mph with one other person in the vehicle, when there was a combination of whirring, clicking, and banging sounds from the engine. As we pulled off on the exit it sounded as if parts were falling out from under the car, but when we looked in the rear view mirror there was no debris on the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10991038, filed 2017-05, 50,000 miles

“As I was driving to laundrymat my engine starts making noise and then the check engine came on, all the oil had burned out of car, the car stalled and I was stranded. There wasnt any oil or engine warning signs at all b4 this happened, im heartbroken and still have 2 years to pay, this engine is faulty! My aunty who is a police officer owns a 2014 Kia and same happened to hers! Please take action agaist Kia to correct this model also, the 201e Kia RIO”

NHTSA complaint #11241856, filed 2019-08, 64,009 miles

“I was experiencing power loss and noises from the motor. I have taken this car in three times now for the same issue and the dealer (tempe Kia) says there is nothing wrong with the motor. The shop manager was extremely rude. The first time they took it for a test drive and heard the lifters. Took it back a month later and they say they hear nothing. Nothing was done with my car.”

NHTSA complaint #10523538, filed 2013-07, 16,582 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023325%
202218%
2021213%
2020519%
2019627%
20181554%
20171135%
20163949%
20152344%
20142446%
20135335%
20122444%
2011729%
2010415%
2009718%
200837%
200712%
200623%
2005514%
200311%
200211%
200110%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia RIO

Air bags
34 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsElectrical system
27 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 27, 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