2015 Kia Rio Engine Problems

tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs

NHTSA ID

11687911

Incident

Aug 15, 2025

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 vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the failure was caused by the catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer had not diagnosed the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11639547

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the friend was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power, and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The vehicle was parked and the friend exited the vehicle and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and later towed away to a nearby towing facility. A fire and police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure and fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11608150

Incident

Aug 5, 2024

Mileage

118,000 mi

Engine making noise and smelling like it’s burning. Towed to mechanic said oil was not there despite recent oil change and said sparks of metal was on oil dipstick. Now being told needs new engine after recall oiece completed and the car has less than 110k miles. Kia will not honor an engine replacement.

NHTSA ID

11600775

Incident

Jul 3, 2024

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. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that reimbursement for a rental vehicle would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11584125

Incident

Apr 18, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue

NHTSA ID

11581907

Incident

Sep 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, the steering wheel began shaking and the vehicle failed to slow down as intended. Additionally, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the speed of the vehicle increased dramatically. The vehicle then stalled and was towed to an independent dealer where it was diagnosed that the oxygen sensor and air fuel ration sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11576831

Incident

Dec 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11549626

Incident

Sep 15, 2023

Mileage

53,000 mi

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 ID

11547595

Incident

Oct 25, 2022

My vehicle consumes oil according to my Midas repair shop. I was unaware that when I brought it in for regular servicing, the engine was almost empty of oil according to the mechanic. It had been rattling upon acceleration and lacking power set on ECO, but I ignored it. Now, I have to check and add 1/2 to 1 quart of oil every 7-10 days as the dipstick shows oil is low and also very dark. There is also an engine warning light on most of the time but it comes up as from the Catalytic Converter which I doubt. The electrical system also flashes on the dash where the a/c settings and circulation fan are on ocassion but is corrected when the temp guage is adjusted 1 click toward the warmer setting. I was notified of the lack of oil on my visit to Midas for an oli change back in April 2023. The mileage was 110,000 then. Everyone I know who has/had a Kia has had this problem and 3 have lost their engines as a result. Kia has lost my confidence because nothing was advised to owners until I found out of this common and costly issue just by chance. I wont buy another Kia now.

NHTSA ID

11543423

Incident

Apr 3, 2023

After an oil routine change last May, my mechanic informed me that the engine had almost no oil. I had been hearing a rattle when accelerating at times and noticed the vehicle seemed to be having trouble when increasing speeds were necessary (entering higher traffic areas/highway on ramps). I had always met the scheduled oil change requirements since I bought it in 2019 but this was the first time I had been told of this. The mechanic told me that it has been known that these vehicles have this problem. I usually went to the same reputable mechanic. Now, as requested by the mechanic, I check the oil each week and find that I have to add 1 quart every 10 days or less to keep the engine from failing outright. The engine light periodically comes on and goes off again, but I was told it was possibly related to the catalytic converter. I do not feel confident driving it much longer especially on highways because of possible engine failure on very hot summer days leaving me stranded in the heat.

NHTSA ID

11530792

Incident

May 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and the contact smelled an oil burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic stated that the engine was misfiring, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the misfire and stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,287.

NHTSA ID

11513667

Incident

Dec 17, 2021

Mileage

139,287 mi

Burning excessive oil, rod bearing noise

NHTSA ID

11476765

Incident

Jul 31, 2022

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 ID

11438819

Incident

Apr 11, 2021

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. After inspection at the auto shop, my beloved car was diagnosed with premature engine failure. The mechanic explained that this engine consumed oil rather than just using it to lubricate the moving parts, meaning that even religious oil changes are not enough. Had I continued driving instead of calling a tow, my car likely would have caught fire! Now I have no car (well a car but no engine) and because I am the second owner, the warranty doesn't apply to me. I have been a loyal Kia and Hyundai owner despite bad publicity over the years because I saw major improvements and innovative growth in the company. Kia tells me that because there is no active recall on the engine and I don't qualify for the warranty, there's nothing they can do. Please note they are actively involved in a lawsuit with the goal of recalling the 1.6L Gamma engines in Kia Rio 2015 for this very reason! There are a small percentage of defective engines that pose a fire risk in these cars. Raising awareness by contacting the company directly and reporting to NHTSA is the only way that Kia/Hyundai might do something about it!

NHTSA ID

11419335

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CONTACT'S HEAD IMPACTED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BUSTED LIP, BRUISED EYE, A WHIPLASH, AND A CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVE AS OF YET. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO A LOT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11286869

Incident

Nov 27, 2019

Mileage

93,000 mi

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. THE FRONT HALF OF MY CAR WAS NOW ABLAZE STARTING TO REACH THE INTERIOR STARTED TO BURN BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD PUT THE FIRE OUT.

NHTSA ID

11281705

Incident

Nov 19, 2019

Mileage

106,000 mi

I SENT IN A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY VEHICLE .I WROTE THE WRONG PROBLEM RIGHT PROBLEM IS CATALYTIC CONVERTER

NHTSA ID

11221745

Incident

Jun 1, 2019

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 ID

11221481

Incident

Jun 17, 2019

Mileage

101,500 mi

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 ID

11220187

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

Mileage

94,000 mi

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 ID

11218045

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

Mileage

18 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT.

NHTSA ID

11184532

Incident

Feb 20, 2019

Mileage

68,000 mi

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. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND AND DID NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. CAR WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY FOR OIL. HAD ISSUES WITH THE CAR OVERHEATING AND TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RELEASED ME. CAR IS TOTALED NOW.

NHTSA ID

11183368

Incident

Feb 22, 2019

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON BUT WHEN HOOKED TO THE MACHINE, THERE ARE NO ERROR MESSAGES. SOME DAYS IT'S ON, SOME DAYS IT'S NOT.

NHTSA ID

11170483

Incident

Oct 2, 2018

PURCHASED THE CAR FROM KIA DEALER ON 5/20/17 WITH LIMITED POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. HAD OIL CHANGE DONE ON 7/22/17AND AGAIN ON 10/14/17(COPIES WERE PROVIDED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY). THE SECOND ONE WAS AT THE DEALER. ON 12/8/17 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND FELT A JOLT AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. SOMEONE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. IT WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT KIA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID "THE ENGINE HAS INTERNAL DAMAGE THAT LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND CAUSED OIL TO SPILL AND CATCH FIRE." THE WARRANTY COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM AND SAID THAT IT WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND THERE WASN'T ANY OIL IN THE CAR WHICH CONTRADICTS WHAT THE DEALER SAID. WE TRIED FIGHTING IT BUT AFTER A MONTH WE NEEDED TRANSPORTATION AND REPORTED THE CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WHO TOTALED THE CAR BUT DID NOT GIVE US FULL VALUE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY COMPANY SAID IT WAS LACK OF MAINTENANCE. NOW WE SEE ALL THE REPORTS ON OTHER KIA'S GOING ON FIRE AND BELIEVE OUR CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WE LOST OVER $7,000 ON THE DEAL.

NHTSA ID

11149408

Incident

Dec 8, 2017

Mileage

79,553 mi