Check a VIN

2013 Kia Rio electrical problems

27 complaints (18% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.

owner complaints
27
of this car's complaints
18%
typical mileage
70,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Rio electrical problems in other years

200120052010201520202023

Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Kia Rio electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 20

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2013 Kia Rio owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Electrical · FL · fire

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

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Case numberODI11697241

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · IL

Vehicle showed all defect warnings as described in recall #23v652 .To include loss of all hydraulic components. Your reference Claim # [XXX]. I would like to know the status of this claim as the dealer still has my vehicle and now claims needs chassis repair , even though they earlier did an undercoat of vehicle in July per another recall. The dealer now estimates the repairs at over $5800 . Since they have had vehicle over 6 months and all my quote s to repair and held because of further defects, I wonder if this is a scam to defraud people thru your recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Car started smoking while drive, lucky I was already pulling in my driveway.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · AL · fire

On July 17, 2025, shortly before 4am, my son's 2013 Kia Rio caught fire, while sitting in the driveway turned off, and was totally destroyed. The car was parked in the driveway at his house and there were not any warning signs before it happened. On June 10, 2024 we had the HECU fuse replaced through a recall that could cause a fire. After we had it "fixed" we had no idea that it could still catch on fire! My son could have been in the car when this happened or other structures could have caught on fire! The fire department was called to put the fire out and the car was inspected by Kia and by our insurance company. Kia does not care that we had the part replaced and that the car STILL caught on fire. They have stated that they will not do one thing about it. They didn't offer a rental car, removal of the burned car or any money to replace the car. I do not know how they get away with this especially when the fire inspector for Kia told me that they knew that changing the fuse wasn't a "fix" but it would hopefully short the fuse before a fire would start! So they knew it was still possible! Kia should not be allowed to manufacture cars!! As of the past week, Kia will not even return my phone calls.

Filed May 23, 2025 · Electrical · 157,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that after receiving a notice of a recall, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair; however, several days later, the contact experienced intermittent difficulty starting the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally stalled while coming to a stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the battery was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA · fire

Engline starting smoking and the car was engulfed in flames.

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NV

It's very high insurance..I paid twice the amount of the car in insurance and registration Kelly Bluebook said car is worth 5000.00 Brand New...I paid 6995.00 plus taxes There's a recall on my vehicle and it has 147,000 miles and i haven't even drove anywhere but from Palace Station to Decatur

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · WI

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and charged a fee for diagnostic testing; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Sep 10, 2024 · Electrical · CT

Dealer has failed to remedy recall 23V652 in a reasonable amount of time. Received the original recall notice dated April 10, 2024. Immediately scheduled an appointment with the dealer. Dealer fixed another outstanding recall but said they didn't have the part for the 23V652 recall. Contacted the dealer several times since and they say they don't have the part to fix the recall and will get back when they do. Contacted Kia and explained the situation. They said they'd get back. Never heard from them. This is a recall for a fire hazard. It was dated April 10, 2024. It is now September 10, 2024.

Questions about the 2013 Kia Rio electrical

Does the 2013 Kia Rio have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the electrical of the 2013 Kia Rio, 18% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2013 Kia Rio electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Kia Rio electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Rio have the most electrical problems?

The Kia Rio model years with the most electrical complaints are 2013 (27 complaints), 2001 (25 complaints) and 2003 (15 complaints).

Other 2013 Kia Rio problems

Engine 56Airbags 34Brakes 30Steering 10Fuel system 8Lights 6Visibility 6Acceleration 5Transmission 5Body 3Seat belts 3Driver assistance 2Locks 1Tires 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2013 Kia Rio?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history