NHTSA vehicle safety data
2013 Kia Rio Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2013 Kia Rio has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 153 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Kia Rio, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2013 Kia Rio owner complaints
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Rio, describing incidents dated May 16, 2012 to April 18, 2026.
Most-cited components
- Engine 56 complaints
- Air Bags 34 complaints
- Service Brakes 30 complaints
- Electrical System 27 complaints
- Unknown or Other 19 complaints
- Steering 10 complaints
Of the 153 complaints on file, 8 report a crash and 18 a fire; across all 153 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11732377 · Filed
The contact called on behalf of her mother, who owned a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's mother noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact's mother stated…
ODI #11726820 · Filed
Was sleeping and heard a pop looked and there was a fire under the hood tried to extinguish it got it outside on the road, and it burned to the ground basically
ODI #11715067 · Filed
Case numberODI11697241
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Kia Rio in 2 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Audit Query AQ23-002: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Open since November 17, 2023
- Engineering Analysis EA21-003: Engine Fires
Closed February 5, 2024
HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA #23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice
Reported September 25, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.
Potentially affected: 1,730,192 vehicles
Repair completion: 32.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Kia campaign SC284 · Owners notified March 29, 2024
Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Other Kia Rio model years
Check your 2013 Kia Rio VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Rio at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Kia VIN