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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2013 Kia RIO Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
3%of 153 total for the year
Median mileage
40,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Kia RIO, 3% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“On august 22 2017 8:45 pm while I was driving down a city street my driver side air bag deployed, for no reason causing me to lose control of the vehicle and run over a median in the road. I proceeded to pull into a parking lot to avoid any further incident and inspect any damage to my car. With the car still running, I walked the perimeter of the vehicle to see if there was any damage to the vehicle, with no bodily damage visible I decided to drive it home. The next morning, I went to check on my Kia RIO and found transmission fluid all over the ground. …”

NHTSA complaint #11030684, filed 2017-10, 125,000 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

“8-12-18: car started to sputter while driving on freeway or surface streets. Restarting was sporadic. Check engine light came on. Engine diagnosed as needing a crankshaft positioning sensor. Part approx $90. Labor $100. Car runs fine now. Just wanted to get this out and see if anyone else has experienced that same.”

NHTSA complaint #11120844, filed 2018-08, 40,000 miles

“It's very high insurance..I paid twice the amount of the car in insurance and registration Kelly Bluebook said car is worth 5000.00 Brand New...I paid 6995.00 plus taxes There's a recall on my vehicle and it has 147,000 miles and i haven't even drove anywhere but from Palace Station to Decatur”

NHTSA complaint #11628733, filed 2024-12

“Engine caught fire , oil consumption, miss firing, knocking brought to dealer they found nothing wrong with it back in December 2022. Car stopped working on March 11,2023 had fire underneath police had vehicle towed to the house. Insurance company will be here Monday. Will also be contacting Kia dealer in alliance Ohio on Monday. The engine light was on and checked missing firing cylinder one”

NHTSA complaint #11511413, filed 2023-03

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023217%
2021213%
2020519%
201929%
201814%
201713%
201656%
201512%
2014612%
201353%
201014%
200913%
200824%
200737%
200623%
200538%
2004411%
20031216%
200286%
20012511%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia RIO

Engine
53 complaintsAir bags
34 complaintsBrakes
30 complaintsElectrical system
27 complaintsOther or unknown
19 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 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 31, 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