Total Complaints
34 filings
KIA RIO · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2017KIARIO carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2017 RIO is engine with 8 filings, followed by unknown or other (6) and service brakes, hydraulic (6). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2017 RIO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 8 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot
Unknown
My son and I were driving home from work on IH-35 and I noticed smoke coming from under my hood. Then within seconds, flames appeared moving quickly towards the windshield. I attempted to move to the shoulder and after doing so, I was unable to stop since the brakes were no longer working. I had to use the parking brake when it slowed down and then once stopped, my son and I jumped out of the vehicle and within 3-5 seconds, the entire car was overcome with fire which then exploded.
My son and I were driving home from work on IH-35 and I noticed smoke coming from under my hood. Then within seconds, flames appeared moving quickly towards the windshield. I attempted to move to the shoulder and after doing so, I was unable to stop since the brakes were no longer working. I had to use the parking brake when it slowed down and then once stopped, my son and I jumped out of the vehicle and within 3-5 seconds, the entire car was overcome with fire which then exploded.
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to open the trunk with the key fob, the trunk failed to unlock or open. In addition, the contact engaged the emergency gear, and the trunk would not open. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Mileage: 190,000
No parts available to fix hydraulic electronic control unit HECU. Been told this since December 2023. Received another letter dated 4/10/3024. The remedy is now available. Being told again there are no parts. Went by another car insurance company. Being told I cannot get a quote because of repair problems with recalls.
The contact owns a 2017 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 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. An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Vehicle started shaking, engine light flashed and now vehicle is not drivable due to unresolved recall.
The contact owns a 2017 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact stated it has now been over 4 months since Kia was notified of the defective HECU fuse, the 3rd time that this has been an issue. Further stating that it is frustrating that they still do not have the remedy.
The contact owns a 2017 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2017 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The contact stated that they do not feel safe owning this vehicle due to the many thefts involved with this particular manufacturer. There is no confidence that the vehicle has a good anti-theft security system.
The contact owned a 2017 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the front hood started emitting smoke. In addition, the brake pedal failed to function as intended. All vehicle doors automatically locked up and the contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact noticed fire coming in the vehicle and she had to shatter the window to exit the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a police station where it was deemed totaled. The origin of the fire was unknown. The location of the fire was under the hood. A fire department report was filled. A police department report was not filed. The ambulance had extinguished the fire. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Mileage: 99,000
The contact owned a Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power. Various unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road and the vehicle was shut off. The contact stated that smoke was observed emanating from the engine compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact no longer has possession of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Mileage: 112,000
Extremely hot weather lately. Trunk is no longer opening.
Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind you and you were just going 65 mph in a 70 and I had just got on the highway from the on ramp and was trying to get to speed when it cut out. the crank shaft position sensor coded then so had it replaced and its still rough on acceleration and shifting and it's an automatic transmission.
Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind you and you were just going 65 mph in a 70 and I had just got on the highway from the on ramp and was trying to get to speed when it cut out. the crank shaft position sensor coded then so had it replaced and its still rough on acceleration and shifting and it's an automatic transmission.
Bought the vehicle beginning of March. Thought it was the battery because it wouldn't hold a charge. Coded battery. Replaced. Twice. Electrical power steering started to code. That wasn't the issue.car started to stall while on the highway or in traffic and cut out. Scary when there's semis behind you and you were just going 65 mph in a 70 and I had just got on the highway from the on ramp and was trying to get to speed when it cut out. the crank shaft position sensor coded then so had it replaced and its still rough on acceleration and shifting and it's an automatic transmission.
I took my KIA Rio to mechanic for knocking noise in engine. Mechanic said it's not the original engine and has been replaced. Nuts and bolts are rusted and some aren't even tightened or torqued correctly. I am the second owner of this car and could have been in an accident. This is very scary. There was no information about a different engine or anything else warning me about KIA or Hyundai cars. Please let others know that their safety is at stake buying these vehicles.
I took my KIA Rio to mechanic for knocking noise in engine. Mechanic said it's not the original engine and has been replaced. Nuts and bolts are rusted and some aren't even tightened or torqued correctly. I am the second owner of this car and could have been in an accident. This is very scary. There was no information about a different engine or anything else warning me about KIA or Hyundai cars. Please let others know that their safety is at stake buying these vehicles.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2017 KIA RIO; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.