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ProblemsByVin Index / 2018-KIA-RIO / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2018 Kia Rio owner complaints

27 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 5 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 7 complaints shown

10 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
11/22/2025 ODI #11700932.0

My 2018 Kia Rio is burning 2 quarts of oil every 800 miles, confirmed by a Kia dealership through an official oil consumption test. The issue first started around 110,000 miles and has progressively gotten worse. I have owned the vehicle since it had 40,000 miles, and I have always had the oil changed on time and maintained the car properly. Despite proper maintenance, the engine gives off a strong burning-oil odor, and smoke enters the cabin while driving. This happens consistently, not occasionally. Because the engine loses oil so quickly, it can run dangerously low without warning, creating a risk of sudden engine failure while driving. I regularly transport my [XXX] child, and the fumes entering the cabin are unsafe to breathe. Kia Customer Care denied goodwill assistance due to th

10/12/2025 ODI #11692892.0

2018 Kia Rio – severe oil consumption leading to low compression (30 PSI on Cylinder 2) and engine failure. Dealership installed incorrect non-OEM spark plugs prior to failure. Kia denies warranty coverage although this matches known engine defects in other Kia models

10/06/2025 ODI #11691729.0

My 2018 Kia Rio S (VIN [XXX] ) suffered sudden engine failure at approximately 84 000 miles. I pulled over immediately when the oil light came on, but the engine began rattling and was later diagnosed by the dealer as a bearing/seizure failure requiring full engine replacement (estimate ≈ $15 865). This vehicle uses the 1.6 L Gamma II GDI engine, which is the same engine family already included in Kia’s “Engine Litigation II” settlement and KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) program for Forte, Soul, and other models. However, Kia claims the 2018 Rio is not covered by the extended warranty even though the failure mode is identical (rod-bearing wear and oil starvation). I never received any recall or settlement notice. The lack of notification and exclusion of the Rio model leave owners

06/08/2023 ODI #11526075.0

Excessive engine oil consumption which has caused car to enter limp mode

05/23/2026 ODI #11739727.0

Vehicle has excessive oil consumption defect acknowledged in Kia TSB ENG222. Repeated catalytic converter failures indicate potential overheating risk similar to 2019 Gamma engine recall for fire hazard. Engine burning oil creates risk of critically low oil levels leading to engine failure/stalling while driving. Multiple emission system failures (oil consumption, catalytic converter) suggest unsafe vehicle condition. Vehicle failed Kia’s own oil consumption tests in December 2023 and March 2024. Kia dealership recommended engine replacement per TSB ENG222 in March 2024. Kia denied coverage citing “second owner, out of warranty” despite defect clearly existing at time of purchase and being acknowledged in their TSB. Vehicle now showing catalytic converter failure code again (14-month-old c

05/18/2024 ODI #11589405.0

I've been having issues with the engine for a while I'm constantly getting oil changes and after getting the oil change I would still have to add oil in every 2-3 weeks. 2/14/2024 My Oil light came on back on after putting oil in 2 weeks prior. That day my Car stalled on the HWY all my dash lights( battery, engine and oil light flashed. Ive been to multiple mechanics shop such as Express oil and Midas and both have told me there is a recall on engine such as mines, I called Kia multiple times and they told me it wasn't. I took the car to Kia last year and told them i was having issues with my engine and they told me I all I needed was a tuneup. Got the tune up and oil changed. I still ended up having to continue to add oil in my car. I brought this car brand new back in 2018 and only put 1

04/04/2025 110,000 mi Fire ODI #11652874.0

The contact owned a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 85 MPH, the engine emitted abnormal noise with no warning lights illuminated. The contact proceeded to exit the highway and enter a gas station parking lot, and upon exiting the vehicle, it was apparent that the engine had begun to catch on fire. The location of the fire was the front engine compartment. The fire was extinguished by bystanders using fire extinguishers. A fire department report was not filed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. No injuries were reported. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as the vehicle was reported a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

other 5 complaints shown

12/23/2022 Crash ODI #11498683.0

My vehicle was stolen while parked with a club on the steering wheel then damaged and abandoned. I was without a vehicle for a month during repairs. It has been reported on the news that Kias are easily stolen due to the type of ignition system. A recall to fix this is need immediately!

12/08/2023 ODI #11559237.0

For the past year and few months I’ve been having to do an oil change every two weeks because of how fast the engine is burning the oil. Several times I arrive to the shop to find the oil pan is completely empty causing issues with my engine beginning to make strange noises that are concerning. The dash light does not come on to notify me that there is no oil. I’m sure the damage is severe because I have had the check engine light come on a couple times and having to fix it because of this. Other Kia drivers have had this issue with other models, including this one.

12/06/2021 ODI #11442870.0

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V622000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

07/21/2022 ODI #11475215.0

I received notice on 2/10/22 that there was a remedy part for my 2018 Kia Rio. The letter said it was a recall part involving a latch that opens my trunk from the inside. I tried repeatedly since then to make an appointment at Glendale, CA or Alhambra, CA Kia dealerships thru the Kia website but the website malfunctions every time I make an attempt. I tried at least 3 times to call, and the service department did not answer. On 7.20.22, I sent a request through the website chatbox, asking for an appointment and so far, no response.

06/22/2021 17,570 mi ODI #11421816.0

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear trunk a clicking noise was heard coming from the trunk as the trunk failed to open. The contact attempted multiple times to open the trunk but it would not open. The contact took their vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as the latch for the trunk was broken and that the only way to repair the failure was to break the latch from the inside of the trunk. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,570.

airbags 1 complaint shown

12/27/2020 54,000 mi Crash ODI #11385131.0

I hit a deer head on going 74 MPH on the pennsylvania turnpike. Severe front end damage. Airbags did not deploy

lighting 1 complaint shown

12/15/2022 ODI #11497523.0

Excessive oil consumption 1 quart every 1000 miles. The brake light socket overheats causing fast bulb burn outs.

steering 1 complaint shown

11/27/2020 ODI #11376665.0

Our 2018 Kia rio was bought new. I was training my wife to parallel park when it had only 100 miles on it. As she kept repeating the procedure of parallel parking, the steering wheel locked up and would not allow movement until the electrical control cooled down. We then took the car to the dealer, bob utter in sherman, texas where we had purchased the car to have them determine the problem and fix it. They did nothing to address the problem and told us that there was nothing wrong with the car! Terrible dealership! So now, after the car is nearly three years old and with less than 300 miles of use, we are half-way afraid to use the car and keep it in our garage only to use it to go check on our mail. It still has its original half-tank of gas in it and has not yet had an old change. Pleas

powertrain 1 complaint shown

10/14/2021 Crash ODI #11436781.0

On 10/02/2021 - Was at a stop, put car in drive press the peddle car accelerated at high speed, miss another car and hit tree. Accident cause by acceleration issue with KIA Rio. Need advice on how to get KIA to replace total vehicle. Auto Insurance is just calling it a accident.

brakes 1 complaint shown

06/09/2024 Fire ODI #11593284.0

My 2018 Kia Rio actually lit up on fire as I was driving down the highway on way to work. As I drove down the highway, I noticed that I had trouble using the brakes. It seemed as if they were working one second and then not working the next. At that time, I noticed fire coming from underneath the car and I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road. As I was exiting the vehicle, the flames were coming up on either side of the driver and passenger doors. Within the next couple minutes the car exploded. Fire rescue put out the fire and the interstate was closed to all traffic. Since the incident, my family and I have done research and found several incidents with very similar stories with regard to what happened to the vehicle. I believe it is well documented that there is a probl

electrical 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
04/02/2019 ODI #11193460.0

On two occasions my vehicle (in motion) has gotten smoke, I smelled burnt, and it was electric shock when I touched the board, I have already reported it to the agency that corresponds to me, however they have not solved my problem, I am afraid that it could burn my vehicle, my phone number is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Showing 300 of 27 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Kia/Rio#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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