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Kia RIOModel year report

2015 Kia RIO Problems

Compared with other Kia RIO years

Typical for this model

45/100 0.9× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017, 2018

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
52filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 36 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2015 Kia RIO (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2015 Kia Rio most often describe smoke or fire from the engine compartment, usually at higher mileage, and recall repair parts that were not yet available for a brake control unit recall. Check engine light and catalytic converter complaints, stalls or loss of power, and oil burning or low oil levels are also frequently described. Some owners also report airbags that deployed without an impact or did not deploy in crashes, and brakes that did not stop the vehicle as expected.

  1. Engine

    Smoke or fire from the engine compartment

    • 12 complaints (23%)
    • median 97,250 mi at 4.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2025

    Owners describe smoke from under the hood, followed by flames from the engine compartment, sometimes while driving and sometimes after the car was stopped or turned off. Some report a loss of power, rough running, or a loud pop or grinding noise shortly before the smoke appeared. Some complaints say the vehicle was destroyed, and some describe the fire department being called to put out the flames. Where mileage is listed, most reports are at about 70,000 miles or more, ranging from about 1,600 to about 160,000 miles.

    Recall 23V652000

    What to check: Ask whether recall 23V652000 has been completed and request proof of the repair, since complaints report that parts were unavailable. Have a mechanic check for fluid leaks, heat damage, and stored engine codes before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Vehicle was in motion turning right decelerating as I turned. Once I turned, acceleration pedal was disengaged and no acceleration was happening. Braking system was completely locked up and could not press the brakes. When I coasted to a stop, there was visible fire coming from underneath the engine compartment. Temp gage never registered as high while driving. Within a matter of a couple minutes, the whole car was engulfed in flames as I waited for the fire department to arrive. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11183368, filed 2019-03, 70,000 miles

    “I was driving to work, hand heard a pop under my hood. My engine and battery indicator lights started flashing and I lost all power. After polling over and turning my car off, I noticed a tone of smoke coming from under the hood. I popped the hood latch and peaked under with out opening the hood after seeing light. I noticed the flames and grabbed my phone to call 911. Soon after the car was engulfed inflames and 3 bangs where heard. Both tires and I'm guessing the fuel line erupted. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11281705, filed 2019-11, 106,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    Recall repair parts unavailable for brake module

    • 11 complaints (21%)
    • median 153,410 mi at 9.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2021–2025

    Owners describe receiving notice of recall 23V652000, which covers a brake control unit whose electrical short can result in an engine compartment fire, but being told the repair part was not yet available. Complaints say the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable time for the repair and that the local dealer confirmed parts were unavailable. Most of these reports say the vehicle had not yet failed, while others describe a warning light, a catalytic converter failure, or a burning odor. Mileage is often not listed; where it is given, reports range from about 80,000 to about 153,000 miles.

    Recall 23V652000

    What to check: Buyers can look up recall 23V652000 with the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup and ask the seller for proof the repair was completed. Owners still waiting for the part can ask the dealer for an update, since complaints describe long waits for parts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11584125, filed 2024-04, 80,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

    NHTSA complaint #11556453, filed 2023-11
  3. Engine

    Check engine light and catalytic converter faults

    • 16 complaints (31%)
    • median 94,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2017–2025

    Owners describe a check engine light that comes on, stays on constantly, or comes and goes, and a complaint says a scan found no error codes. Some complaints name the catalytic converter as the diagnosis, and a complaint describes the converter being replaced before the same problem returned. Other complaints link the light to stalling, hesitation, oil loss, or smoke and fire. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 18 to about 160,000 miles, and most listed figures are above 50,000.

    What to check: Ask for stored trouble codes to be read with a scan tool before buying. Ask whether the catalytic converter was tested or replaced, and whether the light has come back since that repair.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When I frist got my car the engine light came on. Dean mccrary fixed it. Now the light comes back on and off. May car drive slow sometime. I had it checked they said it was cavalier”

    NHTSA complaint #11218045, filed 2019-06, 18 miles

    “Last night, my car ran exactly as usual. No warning lights on the dash. No strange sounds. This morning when I started the car, there was a weird ticking sound coming from the engine. I decided to take the car into the shop. About a mile from home, it began to have trouble with acceleration and would randomly stall for a fraction of a second before catching again. The ticking sound became unbearable just as the check engine light and oil level lights turned on, so I pulled over and called a tow truck. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11419335, filed 2021-06
  4. Engine

    Stalls and sudden loss of power while driving

    • 12 complaints (23%)
    • median 93,500 mi at 4.9 yrs old (10 state mileage)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2024

    Owners describe the engine stalling or cutting out at speeds from low, such as when starting a turn from a stop, up to highway speed near 70 mph. Others describe hesitation when accelerating, a sudden loss of power, or a vehicle that shut off on its own when the shifter was moved between automatic and manual mode. According to the complaints, the failure sometimes persisted after sensors or the catalytic converter were replaced, and a dealer described a hesitation as a normal adjustment of the engine computer to the driver. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 11,000 to about 139,000 miles, with most above 90,000.

    What to check: On a test drive, include a left turn from a stop and a highway merge, since complaints describe stalls and hesitation in those situations. Ask for records of any engine diagnosis, including whether the hesitation or shift-mode shutoff was reproduced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The engine periodically will stall for 2-3 seconds, usually when starting a left turn from a stop. This can prove hazardous in a busy intersection. This has been going on since I bought the car 12 october 2015. The dealer stated the hesitation was a normal function of the engine computer's acclimation to the driver. It hasn't adjusted to me, and I'm afraid to let my wife or daughter drive the car.”

    NHTSA complaint #11061093, filed 2018-01, 11,000 miles

    “Driving approximately 40 MPH, car hesitates to accelerate. Check engine light came on. Had car checked, diagnostic says catalytic converter is not operating properly. I had this part replaced less than 4 months ago! Now the same problem is occurring again!”

    NHTSA complaint #11220187, filed 2019-06, 94,000 miles
  5. Engine

    Oil burning and low oil level between changes

    • 9 complaints (17%)
    • median 146,348 mi at 8.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2021–2024

    Owners describe the engine burning oil, with frequent top-ups between oil changes, a burning oil odor, and oil levels found very low at service. Some describe a rattle or lack of power when accelerating before the low oil was noticed, and a complaint says the oil warning light never alerted them to low oil. According to the complaints, a valve cover gasket was replaced but the burning odor continued, and a mechanic said the problem is known on these vehicles. Mileage is usually not listed; where given, reports are at about 139,000 to 153,000 miles.

    5 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the excessive oil consumption service bulletin was applied, and check the oil level and condition on the dipstick before buying. Ask for records of oil top-ups and any engine work, including valve cover gasket repairs.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After two weeks of buying the car from a dealer, I was driving and I heard a noise in the engine, when I checked it had almost no motor oil. I have changed the oil and filter, but it consumes 2 quarts every 2 weeks (less than 1,000 miles). This has been happening since April 2021.”

    NHTSA complaint #11438819, filed 2021-10

    “My oil light does not and has not ever notified me of my oil level being low. The engine burns oil for unknown reasons. The oil dip stick tells me my oil is full after adding two quarts of oil but it’s calls for 3.8 quarts of oil.?”

    NHTSA complaint #11547595, filed 2023-10

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year can ask for the status of recall 23V652000, check the oil level and warning lights before purchase, and include a turn from a stop and a highway merge in the test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 49 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.

NHTSA recorded 52 consumer complaints for the 2015 Kia RIO. 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 41% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 10 a fire, 11 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 100 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 10 Kia RIO model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 45 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “My engine caught on fire as I was driving the car. There was a knock sensor error discovered a couple hours before, but nothing was indicating that there was imminent critical danger.”

NHTSA complaint #11221481, filed 2019-06, 101,500 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact was driving at approximately 40 MPH when a burning odor emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated before that day. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing a new valve cover gasket and it was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle continued with a burning oil odor. …”

NHTSA complaint #11579926, filed 2024-03, 153,410 miles

Electrical system: “Stopped car, put in park, turned engine off, opened doo, started to get out, car began to roll, one leg out of car, oneed in, fell under car, rear wheel ran over my legs.”

NHTSA complaint #11208183, filed 2019-05, 21,000 miles

Air bags: “Both driver and passenger air bags deployed in my 2015 Kia RIO while driving on a dry smooth road in a neighborhood for no reason. There were three people in the car, and the passenger was injured from the air bag deployment.”

NHTSA complaint #11067027, filed 2018-02, 35,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

41% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,000 and 94,000 miles.

17%0–1014%10–2510%25–5017%50–7521%75–10014%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2016201815202120232025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 Kia RIO. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RIO · hatchback FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 11.6% risk
RIO · sedan FWD★★★★☆4 / 4554 · 11.6% risk

Neighbouring years: 2014: same overall rating; 2016: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2015 Kia RIO version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273630$2,250
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed manual273630$2,250
Rio Eco FWD1.6L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273631$2,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2015 Kia RIO → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 100 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 100 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia RIO

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202312100,9000—36—Too new
20221270,5001—36—Not enough data
202115—2—36—Stable
2020272,7801—3673 · MoreStable
2019224,4501—32—Stable
20182835,7851—3212 · FewerRising
20173136,500243135 · FewerRising
20167950,500243165 · MoreRising
20155260,000143045 · TypicalRising
20145233,000143071 · MoreRising
201315364,626143289 · MoreRising
20125464,000143250 · TypicalFalling
20112461,0000—30—Rising
20102663,0000—3133 · FewerFalling
20093948,2000—3044 · TypicalFalling
20084646,0001—2958 · TypicalFalling
20074657,0181—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20067463,4951—29Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053751,0001—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043868,5202—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20037430,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212836,7501—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200122348,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Kia RIO model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia RIO?

Owners of the 2015 Kia Rio most often describe smoke or fire from the engine compartment, usually at higher mileage, and recall repair parts that were not yet available for a brake control unit recall. The issues reported most often: Smoke or fire from the engine compartment; Recall repair parts unavailable for brake module; Check engine light and catalytic converter faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2015 Kia RIO have?

NHTSA recorded 52 consumer complaints for the 2015 Kia RIO as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2015 Kia RIO is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 23 complaints (44% of the total), followed by brakes with 12.

Has the 2015 Kia RIO been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2015 Kia RIO do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2015 Kia RIO 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia RIO get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Kia RIO (Rio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2015 Kia RIO reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 21,000 and 94,000 miles; 41% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.