2019 Kia Rio

There was no accident the radio/backup camera shuts down completely on the inside of the car when the car is too hot inside

Reported

Jun 2026

Incident date

Jun 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

2019 Kia Rio Hatchback trunk latch failure buzzing actuator but won't open emergency release does not work dealer says not covered under recall #21V622000 which covers the trunk for 4 door 2019 Kia Rio and this appears to be the same or similar issue with the trunk emergency release not opening creating a safety risk

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

On the morning of October 15th, the oil light of my 2019 Kia Rio came on, immediately followed by extreme engine noise, just before the engine locked. I had the vehicle towed to a nearby service center. They checked and reported that all oil had leaked out and motor had locked. I then had vehicle towed to Kia dealer and requested a motor replacement. They not only charged me for a diagnostic test that determined the motor had locked but also refused to replace the engine without me paying $12,000. The vehicle's motor has the same problems as the motors in 2011-2019 kia Engine Defect Settlement but for some reason was allowed to be excluded from the settlement.

Reported

Jan 2026

Incident date

Oct 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The engine experienced a rod bearing failure resulting in internal engine damage and sudden loss of normal engine operation. The vehicle and failed engine components are currently available for inspection upon request. The engine failure occurred while the vehicle was traveling at high speed on the freeway, resulting in sudden loss of engine power. This created a significant safety risk, as loss of power at freeway speeds increases the likelihood of collision with surrounding vehicles and posed a danger to myself and other motorists. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by a Kia dealership as rod bearing failure. The vehicle has been inspected by a Kia dealership. No inspection has been conducted by police or insurance representatives. There were no prior warning lamps, messages, or indications of engine malfunction before the failure. The only warning light present prior to the incident was the check engine light related to previous vandalism involving an attempted catalytic converter theft, which caused ongoing sensor issues unrelated to engine performance. That warning light had been present despite resets during routine maintenance and was not associated with any engine functionality issues. There were no pre existing engine performance problems, drivability issues, or warnings indicating impending failure. The engine failure was sudden and catastrophic. This failure is consistent with known Kia engine rod bearing defects that have resulted in recalls, safety campaigns, and settlements. Kia has denied assistance in this case, stating that my VIN is excluded due to manufacturing origin, despite the identical failure mode

Reported

Dec 2025

Incident date

Dec 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

360 car seat will not click lock will steady spin around

Reported

Oct 2025

Incident date

Sep 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

The oil light flashed in the car once after an oil change, so I took the car back the very next day to the mechanic and he said there was no oil in the car at the time. He filled the car back up with oil, and by the end of the week, the car needed oil again, but no light indicated the car was low on oil. Months went by with constant oil changes and the car needing oil, so the mechanic told me to take the car to the dealership because he couldn't find a leak. Took the car to the dealership, they couldn't find a leak either. Took the car back to the main mechanic who said the car was consuming too much oil and that a new engine was needed. Spoke to the corporate office for the car company and was told that I needed to get all these tests did before I could be eligible for a new engine. I scheduled the tests, but before I could even make it to the dealership for the tests, the car gave out because there was no oil again and this time the car started burning. I called corporate again and was told that since I'm not the original owner of the car I would be denied for a new engine and that I wouldn't be offered a loaner car. I was told it was best for me to get another car, which is what I did, and now I'm stuck paying for two cars because I couldn't trade this one in because of the engine problem, even though the car is drivable. This car has put me in a lot of safety risks because there have been times when I was on the side of the road in the early morning hours because the car had no oil and was burning. The car wouldn't go over a certain speed limit when the oil was low and/or empty, so I was put at risk as well due to other drivers going the speed limit.

Reported

Oct 2024

Incident date

Oct 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My car had been broken into and was attempted to be stolen on December 22, 2022. A few months ago, a neighbor left a note on my car stating that someone was looking through the windows suspiciously. Today, December 12, 2023, my car was stolen from a paid for parking garage at my apartment complex with no cameras. The issue should have been resolved considering my boyfriend and co-owner of the vehicle went to the Kia dealership on November 28, 2023 to have the "anti-theft software update" installed. Apparently, this doesn't work as my car was stolen even with the "alert" sticker on the window.

Reported

Dec 2023

Incident date

Dec 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

My car is only 3 years old 70k miles.. I have regularly serviced and never had any issues until all of a sudden I was driving I heard a sound and my hood started smoking. My car quickly came to a stop and wouldn’t turn back on. The engine block threw a rod and left a giant hole in my engine. Kia is refusing to repair and my insurance won’t cover saying this is an engine malfunction. Thank god I was able to get to safety, something like this is dangerous and not what I wanted when i bought a Kia.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Jan 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Unknown. I was driving and my car slowed to a stop and started smoking. The engine stopped and I couldn’t restart the car. Kia says the engine block threw a rod. But they won’t cover saying I don’t have sufficient service records.. I can’t get records from an out of business shop. Insurance won’t cover saying this is a warranty thing. I bought this car brand new cash purchase only a few years ago. Horrible experience and I feel robbed.

Reported

Aug 2023

Incident date

Feb 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Victim was hit head on by a truck. Victim was going 10-15mph truck faster. Victim was t-boned on the driver side at the front tire. The entire front fender and frame were damaged. Victim sub-stained a bad shoulder injury and ptsd. Air bags did not deploy.

Reported

Jul 2023

Incident date

Sep 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

On 09/08/2022 my 2019 Kia Rio was stolen due to a flaw in the ignition that allows thieves to easily start the vehicle with a phone charger. See Baltimore City Police Report 5220902309. A national recall on the Kia models affected would help to end the widespread danger that the thieves are causing as they 'joy-ride' the stolen vehicles. For more information in this issue please see: https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/45853068/Zanmiller_v_Kia_America,_Inc_et_al

Reported

Sep 2022

Incident date

Sep 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Unknown of specifics. I was driving up a hill. I heard a loud pop. I pulled off the side of the road. The battery light, oil light, and one other came on. I turned my car off. Tried to start it, again however it sounded like the starter wasn't working. Then smoke started to come out of the car. Within 10 minutes my entire car was consumed in flames. A bystander stated the same thing happened to someone she knows- same make & model of car... about two weeks prior. Police believe there was something faulty within the car.

Reported

Apr 2022

Incident date

Apr 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Fire

The driver interior door latch will not fully retract. As a result it is nearly in the open position. With the door latch nearly in the open position, the door could unexpectedly open creating a safety hazard. Kia is unable to determine if this is covered by the warranty without paying a hefty diagnostic fee. There were no prior symptoms before this issue occurred.

Reported

Mar 2022

Incident date

Mar 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

No incident's with my vehicle, just need my recall to be complete before i ship my vehicle from LA to Hawaii.

Reported

Jan 2022

Incident date

Jan 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 42 MPH, WHILE IN THE LEFT LANE TO GO STRAIGHT. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS IN THE TURNING LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN INSTEAD AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE WITH IMPACT. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE OTHER VEHICLE PUSHED THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE LANDED INTO A DITCH AND CAME TO A STOP. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER HIT HER HEAD AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BACK, ARM HEAD, FOOT AND RIGHT WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

Reported

Dec 2020

Incident date

Nov 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE CHANGING GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF STOCKTON LOCATED AT (6215 HOLMAN RD, STOCKTON, CA 95212) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Reported

Mar 2020

Incident date

Feb 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I APPROACHED A GREEN LIGHT IT TURNED YELLOW I MASH DOWN ON MY BRAKE IT ENGAGED FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND IT GAVE ON ME AND I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKE TO ENGAGE AGAIN I COULD NOT STOP FOR THE LIGHT AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT.

Reported

Feb 2020

Incident date

Jan 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

STEERING HAS AN INTERMITTENT PULL TO THE LEFT.

Reported

Nov 2019

Incident date

May 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE CAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN ANY SITES BY KIA. SO HOW I CAN GET ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS OR ANY OTHER ISSUE WITH MY CAR??

Reported

Sep 2019

Incident date

Sep 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED FROM THE CENTER LANE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, SHOULDER, RIGHT FOOT, AND LEFT KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAVENAUGH KIA (LOCATED AT 3315 STADIUM BLVD, JONESBORO, AR 72404, (870) 933-8888) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE CRASH AND AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13159355. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102.

Reported

May 2019

Incident date

Apr 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

THE CAR DRIFTS ALL OVER THE ROAD

Reported

Jan 2019

Incident date

Jan 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 10, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC216.