try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 Kia Rio Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2017 Kia Rio has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 31 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 2017 Kia Rio, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2017 Kia Rio owner complaints

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Kia Rio, describing incidents dated August 24, 2018 to May 29, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 11 complaints
  • Service Brakes 7 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 6 complaints
  • Air Bags 3 complaints
  • Electrical System 3 complaints
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages 2 complaints

Of the 31 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 31 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11746312 · Filed

    The engine of my Kia Rio 2017 is the system that is failing it is sudden with no warning and has been diagnosed by Kia themselves stating that the engine will seize. My safety is put at risk because the car may seize while in traffic causing difficulty steering and breaking. This problem was first…

  • ODI #11738683 · Filed

    As my car was driving my vehicle encountered sudden changes and my engine light went on. As the vehicle stopped driving on its own there was smoke coming from the hood and a fire stared shortly after underneath the car.

  • ODI #11727456 · Filed

    I was driving my 2017 Kia Rio at approximately 70 mph when the vehicle began shaking violently. I heard a loud mechanical sound from the engine compartment that sounded like something broke loose and was being thrown around. I immediately began pulling over as smoke started entering the cabin. As…

Read all 31 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 Kia Rio in 1 investigation. 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.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

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.

Trunk Emergency Release May Fail/FMVSS 401

NHTSA #23V594000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Trunk Lid — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported August 24, 2023 · Kia America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 319,436 vehicles

Repair completion: 47.58% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Kia campaign SC278 · Owners notified October 19, 2023

Defect description

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."

Safety consequence

A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC278.

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 2017 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