2020 Kia Rio Recalls & Complaints

Incident: July 9, 2026 · Filed: August 30, 2026

My 2020 Kia Rio S caught fire spontaneously while parked and unattended for 5 hours at my work parking lot. The vehicle was turned off and had not been involved in a collision. I was notified of the fire after it had already started. The fire caused catastrophic damage to the passenger compartment and resulted in a total loss of the vehicle. Component/system suspected: The exact component that initiated the fire has not yet been determined. Based on the circumstances, I am concerned about a possible vehicle electrical or mechanical failure, but I do not want to speculate as to the cause without investigation reports. The vehicle was subsequently taken to a salvage/inspection facility. I am currently determining whether it remains available for inspection. Safety risk: The vehicle caught fire while parked without an apparent external cause. The fire became extensive enough to destroy the passenger compartment and vehicle. This created a significant fire hazard to nearby vehicles, property, and people. Had the vehicle been parked in a garage or other enclosed area, or had someone been inside or near the vehicle when the fire began, the potential consequences could have been severe. Reproduction/confirmation: The problem has not been reproduced by a Kia dealer or independent repair facility. The vehicle was destroyed by the fire and declared a total loss. Inspections: Boise Fire Department responded to the vehicle fire. Progressive Insurance subsequently inspected/handled the vehicle and classified the loss as a non-collision total burn/total loss. I have requested the complete Boise Fire Department records and additional records from Progressive concerning any investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Kia has not yet inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. Warnings/symptoms before the fire: There were no warning lights, messages, smoke, unusual odors, electrical problems, noises or any other symptoms I was aware of. No after market electronics or anything.

Incident: March 17, 2026 · Filed: March 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

Incident: September 13, 2025 · Filed: September 30, 2025

Upon stopping at a red light and or stop sign, when applying brakes, the car continues to move forward, even after pumping the brakes. Vehicle has been diagnosed by a certified auto mechanic. The findings and recommendation for the Brake Master Cylinder to be the reason the vehicle continues to creep forward, when brake are applied and held. This issue has on two separate occasions near collision, because the vehicle wouldn't stop.

Incident: May 26, 2025 · Filed: June 9, 2025

I was driving up a hill and it would not go past 20-30 mph, and the rpm will sometimes go up when not accelerating. The transmission does not shift when driving and will sometimes make the car stop and go stop and go continuously. Tried accelerating but the rpm would go up while the mph would not.

Incident: March 2, 2025 · Filed: April 6, 2025

I went into a rural King store to shop when I came back out my car was completely filled with smoke. I opened the front passengerdoor and the smoke hit me in the face it was so thick and green it was just it took my breath. It took me 10 minutes to locate what had happened and down on the door frame of the passenger side of the front seat where the wiring is there was a whole melted all the way through that panel and you could see the wiring was exposed so I assume that the wiring had caught on fire. I'm not sure about this it has been looked at and it is at Jeff Wilder Toyota in Clarksville Indiana. They want me to pay $1,000 deductible for this but I feel like if it was a wiring issue key is should be responsible. I am going through a flood right now in my home and now I have to deal with that and I don't think I'm even responsible for the payment I think he is at the cover it.

Incident: March 4, 2025 · Filed: March 9, 2025

I came out of a store last week and there was smoke inside my car and when I opened the door there was a hole down by the door frame on the passenger side that it burned all the way through to the frame of the car and now my lights are flashing on and off and sometimes a passenger headlight works sometimes the driver had light works but it's either one or the other it's doing all kinds of crazy stuff with the lights now I'm thinking it has to be in the electrical fire because it got hot enough to melt all the way through the plastic part of the bottom of my door I do have pictures

Incident: October 8, 2024 · Filed: October 27, 2024

Recall SC223 Brake master cylinder. Rough metal edges can pinatrate Seals causing leaks poor braking functionality. NHTSA Capaign ID# 21V936000. Nov.30th.2021, 87 vehicles effected. Clay Cooley kia refused to honor the recall and fix the problem with my vehicle on 10/25/2024. Recall on the catalytic converters. Recall SC176 , Carbon monoxide poisoning due to exhaust systems malfunctioning and exhaust coming through the AC system. When I took my 2020 Rio S to Vanguard Kia Arlington Texas. Vanguard kia refused to honor the recall because my vehicle had over 80,000 miles and that's why Vanguard Kia service advisors wouldn't replace the catalytic converters. Or Vanguard kia would have replaced them! Even though it was a Safety issue. My wife and I recently was admitted to Parkland hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning levels of tests taken at the hospital blood gas tests were above level 9 for carbon monoxide poisoning. My level was 13. So now we're having to drive our 2020 rio s with the windows down and the ac vents closed. To keep from getting carbon monoxide poisoning again!! Please help us get these 2 SAFETY RECALL ISSUES FIXED. We cannot afford it out of pocket. Kia Should honor their recalls. vehicle owners.

Incident: July 5, 2023 · Filed: September 19, 2023

When I first purchased the car less than 90 days the engine light came on rook back to the dealership and notified Kia they didn't know why the engine light came on they said just drive it then I later told then engine light came on again and it act to over heat they said they had no signs when they did a diagnostic test they. I reported when the ac is on the engine light comes on and the car hesitates as if to stall they still saying they see nothing to indicate any problems there is problems also the back up camera stopped working the Kia customer service representative suggested to take it to another dealership the car has been to 2 different dealerships Langdale Kia Valdosta Georgia and Roundtree Moore Lake city Florida

Incident: September 1, 2023 · Filed: September 9, 2023

I believe my Kia Rio S falls victim to the recall 2020 Kia Rio models have faced. Brake performance has been severely degraded on my vehicle over the past few weeks despite doing all recommended maintenance. When I first got my 2020 Kia Rio S I could brake with 5% pressure applied to the brakes, now it takes about 25-30% pressure and it seemingly is increasing every day. I have contacted the manufacturer and they advised me it would be a $2000 service charge minimum.

Incident: September 3, 2023 · Filed: September 5, 2023

My vehicle driver rear window was broken, steer column and stolen case # [XXX] I also own a vin # [XXX] and [XXX] . Please contact me [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)