2014 Kia RIO Problems

What owners report

Owners of 2014 Kia Rio models most often describe smoke, burning smells and engine-area fires, along with engine stalls, oil consumption and knocking noises. Recall-related complaints form a separate group, with owners saying replacement brake control module parts were not yet available when they tried to schedule the repair. Mileage varies widely, and some engine complaints were filed at under 50,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Smoke, burning smells and fires under the hood

   • 16 complaints (31%)
   • median 73,431 mi at 6.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe smoke, a burning smell or flames from the engine area, sometimes preceded by a popping sound or a check engine light. A complaint says that after repeated dealer visits for air conditioning work, the dealer considered the car fine before it burned. A fire investigation reportedly found a hole in the engine block, and some of these complaints link the events to the brake control module recall. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 9,100 to 145,000 miles, and where the context is stated, the smoke or fire began while the car was being driven.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Ask whether the 23V652000 brake control module recall repair has been completed, and check the VIN for open recalls. Inspect the engine bay for melted wiring, heat marks or fluid leaks before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving down a suburban street when my car engine caught on fire. I was able to stop and get out of the car safely. Although I had put the car in park and used the emergency brake, it rolled down the street until it hit a telephone pole, which it set on fire. The fire was primarily on the driver's side of the car. I had no reason to expect this fire to happen. A firefighter told me it should not have happened, and to do my due diligence.”

   NHTSA complaint #10870663, filed 2016-05, 18,700 miles

   “I was driving to take my daughter to work and I notice my car was smoking under the hood and I heard a popping sound and I started to pull over and once I did I realize my car was on fire up under the hood. I have a 2014 Kia RIO”

   NHTSA complaint #11354799, filed 2020-09, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake control module recall parts not yet available

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 10.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners report receiving notice of the brake control module recall, but the replacement part was not yet available when they tried to schedule the repair. Some say the manufacturer had taken longer than a reasonable time to provide the repair, and that the dealer confirmed parts were still unavailable. Some of these complaints also mention an ABS or check engine warning light, or a burning odor while driving, and a complaint says the owner was never called back about the recall. In a complaint where the recall work was completed, the dealer documentation reportedly said engine rods were failing. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 60,000 to 145,000 miles.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Check the VIN for open recall status, and ask the dealer whether campaign 23V652000 has been completed or whether the part is now in stock. Ask for records of any recall visit, warning light repairs or brake work before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I tried to get the parts fixed from the recall. However, when I tried to get it serviced I was adviced that the parts would take a few weeks to arrive. With an appending move to Helena, Mt from Lambertville, Mi they informed me that they would not be able to fix the recall issues. There is no KIA dealership within a reasonable distance from my current location. I am having issues with the dealership towing the rio without charging me the amount of $1300. The engine had completely stopped. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11661646, filed 2025-05

   “hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse”

   NHTSA complaint #11573284, filed 2024-02
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling or sudden loss of power while driving

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 14,150 mi at 2.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners describe the engine stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes at moderate speed and sometimes without warning. Some say the car restarted and ran normally afterward, but the failure returned, and the dealer could not duplicate it or find a trouble code. Other complaints describe an engine that would not accelerate, a car whose speed was limited after a sudden slowdown, or an engine that shut down on a beltway. A complaint says the engine had completely stopped and the car had to be towed. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 3,500 to 70,000 miles, and where speed is stated, the events happened between 35 and 65 mph.

   What to check: Ask for records of any stalling or engine repairs, and whether a dealer diagnostic was done, since some complaints say no trouble code was found. Test drive the car at highway speed and watch for hesitation, sudden power loss or warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I commute to work for 2-3 hours a day. On 12 july 2019 I was traveling to work on the beltway (695 north toward 95 north) and I heard something sounding like a hard pop or thumb and my car started to shut down in the middle of the beltway. I was able to get it to the shoulder of the road where it completely shut off and would not start again. I called a towing company to have my car towed back home because I had no idea what was going on or what was wrong. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11233556, filed 2019-07, 70,000 miles

   “I was driving 35 MPH on a six lane commercial road (three lanes in each direction) when the vehicle suddenly decelerated to below 20 MPH. The cars around me had to swerve to avoid hitting me, and I had to turn on the hazard lights to warn the surrounding vehicles. I tried pressing on the gas several times, but the speed would not go above 20 MPH. However, the rpms were going above the red line (above 6,000) and the engine was revving very loud. The speed of the vehicle did not go above 20 MPH for the next fifteen minutes of driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10730764, filed 2015-06, 3,500 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report that the engine burns oil quickly, in some cases needing top-ups every week between oil changes. Some describe smoke from the exhaust, a shaky feeling while driving, or an oil warning light. Some complaints say an independent mechanic or dealer found a clogged or underperforming catalytic converter, and that oil use continued after the repair. A complaint links the oil use to later engine knocking. Mileage given in these reports ranges from under 48,000 miles to about 100,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the excessive oil consumption bulletin for this engine family has been applied, and check the oil level at each stop during a test drive. Ask for records of any catalytic converter repairs and of oil top-ups or oil consumption measurements before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Burning excessive oil, shooting oil out of the exhaust, car has less than 48,000 miles and it’s shaky when driven feels like it will stall and turn off. Had an oil change done in October 2022 then in early December the oil warning light lit up almost out of oil, had to stop at the nearest shop car was checked and advised to have another oil change I did. but it did not help the problem persists I have to keep adding oil. I am scared to drive the car and currently taking the bus to work. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11504381, filed 2023-01

   “The engine started to lose power, and the check engine light illuminated. The power drop was most noticable when accelerating from a stop. At times, randomly, the engine RPMs would dip down to 200-300 at idle and would almost stall. Upon further investigation, the engine has been excessively consuming oil. I brought the vehicle to a local mechanic shop to get a detailed diagnosis, they informed me the catalytic converter was clogged and constricting exhaust flow. The engine has developed a ticking/knock. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11651826, filed 2025-03
5. 5
   Engine

   Engine knocking and rod bearing failure

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 7.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners describe a knocking, ticking or rattling noise from the engine, sometimes while driving at various speeds. Some report the check engine light and a loss of power, and some complaints say a mechanic found a broken connecting rod or a suspected rod bearing failure. A complaint says the manufacturer declined warranty coverage, citing missing maintenance records, and another says a dealer diagnosed engine failure and said a new engine was needed. Reports describe the knocking appearing at roughly 85,000 to 95,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for full oil change and maintenance receipts, since some complaints describe warranty claims being denied. Listen for knocking or ticking at idle and under acceleration, and ask for an oil pressure test during a pre-purchase inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “the car has 93000 miles and it started making a knocking noise from the engine. I brought the car to a mechanic and told me the engine needs replace because the connecting rod was broken that there have been recalls for KIA's for this problem. I went to the KIA dealer for fix under warranty but they declined for lack of maintenance due to my first oil change was to long I did not retain my receipts. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11475941, filed 2022-07

   “I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January 2026 shop oil change), flashing CEL, and loud rod knock after oil starvation. Kia corporate denied all extended warranty/campaign relief on 03/18/2025, stating the powertrain warranty expired in 2019 and no campaigns apply. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11725736, filed 2026-03

Buying note. Used-car buyers considering a 2014 Kia Rio should ask whether the brake control module recall (23V652000) and any oil consumption or engine warranty work have been completed, and request full maintenance receipts. Test drive the car for stalling, knocking, burning smells and oil use, and check the oil level before and after the drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 45 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.