VehicleVerdict

2013 Kia Rio problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2013 Kia Rio carries two red flags at once: 218 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 4.1× the Rio norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Rio years to avoid. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

218

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

13

Crash-involved

33

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Rio years?

Rio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted355 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 355 complaints2002: 171 complaints2003: 103 complaints2004: 53 complaints2005: 46 complaints2006: 89 complaints2007: 64 complaints2008: 57 complaints2009: 54 complaints2010: 38 complaints2011: 32 complaints2012: 73 complaints2013: 218 complaints2014: 74 complaints2015: 69 complaints2016: 110 complaints2017: 37 complaints2018: 39 complaints2019: 29 complaints2020: 37 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 12 complaints2023: 20 complaints
Rio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rio years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Kia Rio problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5626%
Airbags3416%
Brakes3014%
Electrical System2813%
Other199%
Steering105%
Fuel System84%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Lighting63%
Transmission52%
Speed Control52%
Seat Belts31%
Body & Structure31%
Tires & Wheels21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Driver Assistance10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2013 Kia Rio have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

Defect

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 experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Engine caught fire , oil consumption, miss firing, knocking brought to dealer they found nothing wrong with it back in December 2022. Car stopped working on March 11,2023 had fire underneath police had vehicle towed to the house. Insurance company will be here Monday. Will also be contacting Kia…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 11, 2023 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. AFTER REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 16, 2016 · crash

“Driving car home Going about 35 Smelled car in front of me, that car smells, seems it was my own car try to do brake To pull over. No breaks loose able to coast into parking lot use emergency brake, stop flames shut up through Car into car got out people tried to help put it out fire trucks were…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 4, 2022 · fire

“I WAS STOPPED FOR A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN FLAMES SHOT UP FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD! THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS EVEN WRONG W/THIS CAR! NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD...NO WARNING! *TR I QUICKLY PUT IT INTO PARK AND JUMPED OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE IN A MATTER OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 21, 2013 · fire

“Engine caught fire , oil consumption, miss firing, knocking brought to dealer they found nothing wrong with it back in December 2022. Car stopped working on March 11,2023 had fire underneath police had vehicle towed to the house. Insurance company will be here Monday. Will also be contacting Kia…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 11, 2023 · fire

2013 Kia Rio — common questions

Is the 2013 Kia Rio reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 218 complaints put the 2013 model at #2 of 24 Rio years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Rio years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Rio problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (56 complaints), airbags (34 complaints), brakes (30 complaints).

Does the 2013 Kia Rio have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Kia Rio. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Kia Rio under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Kia Rio years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Rio years to avoid are 2001, 2013, 2002, 2016, 2003, 2006, 2014, 2012, 2015, 2017. The cleanest record among Rio years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2013 Kia Rio?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Kia Rio earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.