2013 Kia Rio: engine stalls while driving

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Brakes · NE · fire

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 that the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact's mother enabled the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact's mother noticed that the entire front windshield was covered with black smoke. In addition, the contact's mother exited the vehicle. The contact's mother stated that upon exiting the vehicle, she noticed fire on the front driver's side door. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was consumed in the fire. In addition, the contact stated that some parts of the vehicle were burned into the cement. The remaining parts of the vehicle were towed to a local tow yard. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The contact's mother received a recall notification the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Sep 5, 2023 · Engine · 150,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. After shifting to park and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The contact stated that the failure once occurred while driving approximately 50 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 150,000. The contact called to make an appointment with Quirk Kia in Manchester. After explaining the problem they refused to make an appointment

Filed Jun 23, 2022 · Engine · 138,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted but stalled again. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the radiator, transmission, and other parts were melted. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Sep 7, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

We purchased a very low miles (42K) Kia from the dealer as a 2nd owner. In less than 6 months the car has serious safety issues. The vehicle shuts off and stalls while idling at stop lights, stop signs or slow traffic with no warning. All other powered components like radio, lights etc remain on and functioning. The car is hard to start after the vehicle shuts off and has stalled and takes multiple tries to turn over. When accelerating the vehicle will randomly not respond at all to the gas pedal, will not increase speed, RPM will not move and the car will not respond. When the car does accelerate, it will sputter and rpm will increase dramatically. This is very dangerous to those driving and those on the road. If the vehicle does not respond to acceleration the risk to the driver and occupants is serious. There could be an accident from oncoming traffic both rear and from behind. There is great life threatening risk. Local mechanic stated the car throws no codes when diagnosed, and there is no check engine light on. Kia knows their vehicles have this issue and has recalled many other models in the same years. There are multiple identical complaints noting identical vehicle problems. The problem is not able to be found with diagnostic. The KIA RIO should be recalled and repaired immediately. The car was sold with serious safety issues. There was a class action even that did not proceed that alleges the gamma engines cause sudden stalling, excessive oil consumption, engine failures and fires in the vehicles.

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · CA

My kia rio will stall at slow speeds. Several times while I was stopped or backing up and the car stalls. When I was driving in a parking lot my car stalled while I was accelerating. I took my kia to a mechanic. He said the problem was the rear fuel filter. He replaced my fuel filter. This did not resolve the problem. He called kia they recommended he reprogram the car. This did not work. He cleaned the fuel filter put it back in the car. This did not solve the problem. His only recommendation. Is to take the car to kia. But if they don't know what the problem is. How can they fix it. Right know I can only hope the doesn't stall and cause an accident.

Filed Aug 5, 2019 · Engine · 64,009 miles · IL

As I was driving to laundrymat my engine starts making noise and then the check engine came on, all the oil had burned out of car, the car stalled and I was stranded. There wasnt any oil or engine warning signs at all b4 this happened, im heartbroken and still have 2 years to pay, this engine is faulty! My aunty who is a police officer owns a 2014 kia and same happened to hers! Please take action agaist kia to correct this model also, the 201e kia rio

Filed Apr 1, 2019 · Engine · 60,300 miles · PA

Sitting at a red light in city traffic, pressed the gas to go when green light occurred and car stalled. Lights, power windows, radio all still worked, but the engine was dead. Let car sit for 30 minutes, it started up completely fine. Car stalled again at red light while at idle in city traffic. Let car sit for a few moments, started it up and drove home without incident. No check engine light, no battery light, no low oil light. Took car to neighborhood mechanic, was told nothing was wrong. Battery and alternator were in great working order, ground connections were fine. They took car on 20 mile ride with no stalling. Took car to dealership, they have no idea what is wrong either. Told me to come back when I have a check engine light, other than that, they can not help me. Car continues to stall while idle with no check engine light.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 64,252 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 kia rio. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle would jerk violently, accelerate, and stall. All the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,252.