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EnginePart report

2014 Kia RIO Engine Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
46%of 52 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine of the 2014 Kia RIO, 46% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 6 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“I was driving my 2014 Kia RIO to work at approximately 7 am this morning with no noticeable problems until halfway to work which would be approx. 30 miles into my 52 mile drive. After I made a turn from a stop light, I noticed a weird smell as I drove and decided to stop the vehicle and check it out. …”

NHTSA complaint #11329676, filed 2020-06, 76,500 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

“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 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. Later during the week I had my car towed to a mechanic who then told me the problem was the engine and it had to be replaced. …”

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

“Hi my car caught fire!! The car began smoking thick white smoke through the air conditioning and when we pulled off the street and opened the hood the car was in fire. I really don't feel safe in that car. This would be the 4th time I take it to the dealer. First 3 times was for the air container not working properly, evaporator and some other parts were replaced and now it went up in flames. They say the car is fine but I just don't feel safe any more. This happened 6/29/15 my car is only 8 months old I bought it 10/27/14. …”

NHTSA complaint #10731649, filed 2015-07, 9,100 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 2014 Kia RIO

Brakes
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2014 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