VehicleVerdict

2014 Kia Rio problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2014 Kia Rio carries two red flags at once: 74 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Rio years to avoid.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 24 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

74

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

14

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Rio years?

Rio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 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, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Rio years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Kia Rio problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2432%
Brakes1014%
Airbags79%
Transmission68%
Other68%
Body & Structure68%
Electrical System57%
Fuel System45%
Tires & Wheels23%
Lighting11%
Steering11%
Seat Belts11%
Speed Control11%

Does the 2014 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.

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. ALTHOUGH I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT ROLLED DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, WHICH IT SET ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PRIMARILY ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 19, 2016 · fire

“UNRESPONSIVE BRAKING AND AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED IN TWO SEPARATE COLLISIONS WHERE I RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED ON CITY STREETS WHERE I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE FIRST COLLISION AND 35 MPH IN THE SECOND.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 6, 2017 · crash

“UNRESPONSIVE BRAKING AND AIRBAGS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED IN TWO SEPARATE COLLISIONS WHERE I RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED ON CITY STREETS WHERE I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE FIRST COLLISION AND 35 MPH IN THE SECOND.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 6, 2017 · crash

“HI MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE!! THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING THICK WHITE SMOKE THROUGH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND WHEN WE PULLED OFF THE STREET AND OPENED THE HOOD THE CAR WAS IN FIRE. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THAT CAR. THIS WOULD BE THE 4TH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. FIRST 3 TIMES WAS FOR THE AIR CONTAINER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 29, 2015 · fire

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SUBURBAN STREET WHEN MY CAR ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. ALTHOUGH I HAD PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, IT ROLLED DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT HIT A TELEPHONE POLE, WHICH IT SET ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PRIMARILY ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 19, 2016 · fire

2014 Kia Rio — common questions

Is the 2014 Kia Rio reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 74 complaints put the 2014 model at #7 of 24 Rio years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Rio years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Rio problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (24 complaints), brakes (10 complaints), airbags (7 complaints).

Does the 2014 Kia Rio have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2014 Kia Rio. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2014 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 2014 Kia Rio?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 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.