2011 KIA Rio Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE

4 complaints

Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1. I got smart after dealing with the dealer. I bought lifetime coils from autozone and about every 1.5 to 2 years I am replacing them. It's easy to do but thats not the point. I've never had or heard of any car doing this except mine. And please let's not talk about resetting the computer brain. That is an impossible task in LA the land of teaffic....please take a moment & read the hoops you have to go through on kia's Rio forum. After trying to get my car slogged for a year I paid a guy 135.00 gave him my car for the night so he could do it. Utter [XXX] ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mar 23, 2025

IGNITION COILS. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY KIA IN 2015 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. AT FIRST, WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, THE DEALERSHIP KEPT TELLING ME THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD JUMP AND EVEN SHUT OFF ON ME WHEN IDLING. IT TOOK 3 MONTHS OF ME TAKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP BEFORE THE FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE IGNITION COILS. ONCE THEY WERE REPLACED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. ON TOP OF THIS, I WAS SO STRESSED OUT ABOUT MY CAR THAT IT MADE ME PHYSICALLY ILL AND GAVE ME A RASH ALL OVER MY BODY (I HAVE MEDICAL RECORDS TO PROVE IT) AND ONCE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, ALL OF MY PHYSICAL AILMENTS DISAPPEARED. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 COILS EVERY 3-6 MONTHS. THIS LAST SET ONLY LASTED ME 2 MONTHS BEFORE IT STARTED WITH THE SAME ISSUES AGAIN. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND DOZEN OF FORUMS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH MY SAME EXACT MAKE, YEAR, MODEL. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS CAUSING THIS TO HAPPEN SO OFTEN. I KNOW IT'S A KIA BUT I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS BEFORE IT BREAKS DOWN. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE I AM, WHAT SPEED I AM GOING OR HOW LONG I AM TRAVELING, THIS ISSUE STILL OCCURS.

Feb 27, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT ANY STOP, THE ENGINE THREATENED TO SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A SHOP, BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE TOWING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.

Jan 05, 2017

I'M REALLY NOT SURE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT BIT THIS IS WAY HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING TO WORKFROM LUNCH WASN'T HAVING ANY PROBLEMS THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED FLASHING. IN THE 4 MINS THAT FOLLOWED MY CAR STARTED LOOSING POWER SO I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR I HEARD A KNOCKING SOUNDS AND THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF. THERE WAS OIL, IT WASN'T BLACK, IT DID NOT HAVE WHITE SPOTS AND THERE WAS NO SMOKE V OF ANY COLOR COMING FROM THE HOOD OR TAILPIPE. WHAT WAS WEIRD WAS THAT THE ANTIFREEZE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY BONE DRY. I HAD A OIL CHANGE AND FLUIDS CHECK AND TOPPED OFF THE TWO MONTHS BEFORE AND HAD CHECKED THE FLUIDS MYSELF THE MONTH BEFORE AFTER MY SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGE. NEEDLESS TO SAY FINDING NO ANTIFREEZE IN THE RESERVOIR WAS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSING. HAD 3 MECHANICS LOOK AT IT AND THEY ALL SAID IF THE ASS NO OIL THEY WOULD HAVE SAID THE ROD WAS THROWN OR PISTON BROKEN BUT I NEED TO PAY SOMEONE TO TAKE THE TOP OFF THE ENGINE TO EVEN GET TO WHERE PEOPLE GUESSING THE PROBLEM IS. WORSE THING IS THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND MAINTENANCE IS DONE ON IT SO WHY I'M I HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS? *TR

Jul 13, 2014

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION OF WHICH I HAD A GREEN LIGHT, THE VEHICLE COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FAILED TO YIELD AND TOOK A LEFT TURN HITTING ME HEAD-ON. WE WERE EACH GOING BETWEEN 30-35 MILES PER HOUR. I SLAMMED MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SHEARING MY BRAIN FROM THE INSIDE OF MY SKULL RESULTING IN A MASSIVE INTERNAL BLEED. I ALSO SUFFERED A SEVERE CONCUSSION AND TORE SEVERAL LIGAMENTS IN MY NECK. I CURRENTLY CONTINUE TO SUFFER FROM TERRIBLE MIGRAINES AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RESUME MY PREVIOUS PROFESSION AS AN ARCHITECT. WHY DID MY AIRBAG NOT PROTECT ME FROM SLAMMING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL? IT SEEMS MY AIRBAG ONLY PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. I REMEMBER IT TOUCHED MY FACE BUT DEFINITELY DID NOT PROTECT ME FROM HITTING MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I WAS IN A SERIOUS BRAIN FOG FOR MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND MY LAWYER MIS-ADVISED ME IN NOT PURSUING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER. NOW THE CAR HAS BEEN SOLD FOR PARTS.

Apr 02, 2020

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

MY SON WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HE REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM AT APPROXIMATELY 35 TO 40 MPH. THE AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY!! LUCKILY, HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT AND SUFFERED BRUISING ON HIS HIP AND SHOULDER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE VIEWED OTHER REPORTS ONLINE THAT REPORTED THE SAME THING WHERE THE BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY....UPDATED 01/07/15 *BF

Dec 17, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

May 31, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A TRUCK BUT THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE REPORT #TX116X0IRX001 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500.

Sep 06, 2011

Crash: 1

STRUCTURE

2 complaints

Painting peeling off the whole car. It’s going to cause the car to rust.Defect in Kia painting process.

Dec 29, 2024

THE BREAK PEDAL & GAS PEDAL ARE SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER & ABOUT THE SAME HEIGHT LEVEL THAT WHEN YOU APPLY THE BREAKS TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN YOU SPEED UP, THIS HAS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES, BEEN LUCKY TO AVOID A CRASH,, BUT I HAVE SEEN OTHERS NOT SO LUCKY, THE GAS & BREAK PEDAL NEEDS AT LEASE 4 INCHES OF CLEARANCE SO NOT TO HAPPEN. *JS

Apr 19, 2012

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

It was 12/21/2022 at about 3:15 PM in the afternoon and I had just turned right into the parking lot of St. Alexius Medical Center, 1555 Barrington Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. I took a left turn, and went north about fifty feet and stopped at a stop sign. A car was stopped at the same intersection from the right facing west. As I waited for the other car to turn in front of me, my 2011 Kia Rio started to surge in speed without my foot on the accelerator. I instinctively jammed on my brake pedal to avoid hitting the car turning in front of me. Luckily, I did not hit the other vehicle, but I am concerned that this might happen again unexpectedly. The temperature at the time was about 20 degrees outside.

Dec 21, 2022

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 8 IN LA MESA CALIFORNIA AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE THROTTLE ON MY VEHICLE STUCK. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER. THE ENGINE CONTINUED REVVING UNTIL I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO KIA OF EL CAJON WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED A FAULTY THROTTLE CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING, AND IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A COLLISION.

Nov 15, 2019

SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

FELT LIKE I COULD NOT GO SPEED I WAS ATTEMPTING. THE BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK UP AND ONE SIDE WAS SMOKING, NOW BOTH SIDES ARE SMOKING AND IS STILL LOCKING UP.

Aug 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE DISKS NEEDED TO BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,400.

Oct 28, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

EVERYTHING SEEMED OKAY WHILE DRIVING THEN SUDDENLY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE, SPUTTER, AND DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. LOSES POWER SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED THEN STAYED ON. CAR UNSAFE AND UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AFTER 4 WEEKS, 2 TUNE UPS INCLUDING NEW PLUGS, COIL PACKS CHECKED ALTHOUGH TWO WERE RECENTLY REPLACED, FUEL INJETORS CHECKED, FUEL SYSTEM FLUSHED, AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANED. WHEN CHECKED DIAGNOSTIC CODE KEEPS READING RANDOM MISFIRE. CAR HAS BEEN AT THE SHOP (NOT DEALERSHIP) FOR 2 DAYS WHEN THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM AND ITS RELATING TO THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS SHOP HAS DONE ALL THE WORK AND FEELS THAT SINCE KIA IS AWARE OF THE TSB THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE KIA DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM STATES THEY NEED TO LOOK AT IT AND IF ITS ELECTRICAL ITS $100 AN HOUR. VERY FRUSTATING BECAUSE OF ALL THE MONEY I HAVE PUT IN THIS CAR SINCE I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT 1 YEAR AGO. CALLED KIA'S 800 CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY ALSO STATE THAT I NEED TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BY KIA DESPITE KNOWING THE ISSUE. CAR WILL BE TOWED BACK TO MY HOME FOR NOW.

Sep 02, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED, VIBRATED, AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FACTORY IGNITION COILS FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Sep 08, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.

Sep 03, 2023

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED DRIVING ROUGH AND FINALLY STOPPED.

Jan 02, 2019

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

SOLD A CAR THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A 'LEMON' AFTER ONLY A MONTH OF HAVING IT BEGAN BREAKING DOWN THE MOST RECENT ISSUE BEING THE CADILLAC CONVERTER MAKING IT A LITTLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE SPEED IS AFFECTED ALONG WITH TOXIC FUEL, WHENEVER I DRIVE UP A HILL THE CAR IS LOUD SLOW TO WHERE IT SOMETIMES ROLLS BACKWARDS OR STOPS AND AT A GREEN LIGHT CAR CAN NOT REACH MINIMUM SPEED CAUSE OTHER CARS ANGER AND STRONG FUEL ORDER SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING CAR, CAR CUT OFF ONCE AT RED LIGHT AND WHEN TURNING VEHICLE MOVES ENTIRELY TOO SLOW TO WHEN ONCOMING CARS ALMOST MAKE CONTACT

Aug 06, 2018

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

MY CAR KEEPS RANDOMLY TURNING OFF WHILE I'M AT A STOP OR WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT & THEN I TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AFTER IT TURNED GREEN AND IN THE MIDDLE OF ME TRYING TO TURN IT TURNED OFF. THANK HIS THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND OR ELSE SOMETHING COULD HAVE HAPPENED. RANDOM PEDESTRIANS HELPED ME PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY. & AFTER TRYING TO RESTART IT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTE SIT FINALLY STARTED. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS THE VERY NEXT DAY. I WAS WAITING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT JUST TURNED OFF. BUT IT STARTED BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. THE THIRD TIME & THIS WAS YESTERDAY, I GOT TO WORK AND I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR WAS PARKED BUT STILL RUNNING AND IT TURNED OFF. IT WOULDN'T START BACK UP UNTIL ABOUT 15 LATER. SOMETIMES IT WILL START BACK RIGHT AWAY & OTHER TIMES I HAVE TO WAIT FOR 15/20 MINUTES OR MORE AND TRY AGAIN AND IT WILL START. I'VE DONE A DIAGNOSTICS TEST & BATTERY CHECK. EVERYTHING COMES BACK GOOD. NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU GUYS HAVE RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT CAN SOMEONE PLEASE CONTACT ME. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW.

Jun 20, 2018

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 complaint

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP AND WOULDN'T LET THE KEY OUT. HAD SIX MECHANICS TRY TO GET THE KEY UNSTUCK AND A KIA PERSONAL(OVER THE PHONE), WITH NO SUCCESS. HAD TO TOW MY CAR 20 MILES PAID $165 TO TOW IT, THEN KIA SERVICE CENTER CHARGED ME ANOTHER $430 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. GOT THE CAR BACK WITH AN EXTRA SET OF KEYS. ONE SET TO OPEN THE DOORS AND ONE SET TO START THE CAR. GUESS WHAT ELSE...NOW THE CAR IGNITION DINGS LIKE THE KEYS ARE STILL IN IT EVEN WHEN NO KEYS ARE IN IGNITION AND BECAUSE OF THAT I CAN'T LOCK MY CAR! UNLESS HOWEVER I ACT LIKE THAT FONZFROM HAPPY DAYS AND GIVE THE STEERING WHEEL A LITTLE TAP THEN MAGICALLY THE DINGING STOPS AND I'M ABLE TO LOCK MY CAR. I TOLD A KIA DEALER FROM THE SAME OFFICE WHERE MY CAR WAS SERVICED WHY MY CAR HAD TWO SETS OF KEYS AND HE CHUCKLED AND ASK WHO DID THAT? WHEN I SAID HIS DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER HE JUST GAVE ME A SAD FACE AND EXCUSED HIMSELF. THE CAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND THIS IS NOT MY ONLY COMPLAINT. *TR

Jul 13, 2014

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I WAS IN COLLISION ON 3/28. I HIT ANOTHER CAR FROM THE BACK. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON. I WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 07/16/14 *BF UPDATED 3/17/2015 *JS

Jul 08, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 complaint

SO I AM GOING 5MPH WHEN I GO TO PUSH THE BRAKES BECAUSE THE CAR AHEAD OF ME SUDDENLY STOPS. I DON'T STOP BECAUSE THE CAR'S BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I CALL THE DEALERSHIP I AM TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE OWNED IT FOR 3 MONTHS ITS CONSIDERED A WEAR AND TEAR WHEN I HAVEN'T PUT THAT MANY MILES ON THE CAR YET. *TR

Sep 13, 2011

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS

1 complaint

FIRST THE CAR WAS PULLING TO THE DRIVER SIDE WENT TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE AIR WAS TOO LOW. IT WAS ONLY 25PSI THEY FIXED ALL MY TYRES AND CHECKED ALL THE TIRE PRESSURE THEN THE CAR STARTED PULLING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SUDDENLY. STARTED GETTING JERKS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WENT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW KIA RIO 2011 NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS OLD. ALSO THE DIDN'T SHOW ME ANY INDICATION THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAS LESS AIR. THE TIRE WAS AT 25PSI AND IT DIDN'T SHOW ME ANY INDICATION ON MY SPEED ODOMETER NOR THE TPMS LIGHT TURNED ONE NOR THE LOW PRESSURE LIGHT CAM UP. *TR

Sep 08, 2011

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4.6/5.0

73 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 KIA Rio have?

The 2011 KIA Rio currently has 24 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 KIA Rio?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 KIA Rio are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2011 KIA Rio problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2011 KIA Rio comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.