I am filing this complaint regarding Kia America's arbitrary denial of coverage for a suspected connecting-rod-bearing failure in my 2014 Kia Rio (85,000 miles). The vehicle exhibits classic symptoms of the Gamma 1.6L GDI defect: excessive oil consumption (bone-dry after ~1,200 miles post-January 2026 shop oil change), flashing CEL, and loud rod knock after oil starvation. Kia corporate denied all extended warranty/campaign relief on 03/18/2025, stating the powertrain warranty expired in 2019 and "no campaigns" apply. This is inconsistent and deceptive: -U.S. Litigation: Early complaints and law-firm summaries in In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II (C.D. Cal., 8:18-cv-02223) and related MDL explicitly referenced 2012–2019 Kia Rios with 1.6L Gamma GDI for the exact defect (oil burn → bearing failure → seizure/fire risk). However, Kia negotiated to exclude Rios from the final E2 Class Vehicles list (see kiaengineclasssettlement.com FAQ #6), limiting relief to Souls and select others despite the identical engine family. -Canadian Precedent: The McKenzie Lake/Strosberg class action explicitly includes 2012–2017 Kia Rios with Gamma 1.6 GDI for the same issues, providing inspections/repairs—proving the defect transcends model badging. -Safety & Consumer Impact: This selective denial violates Magnuson-Moss (unreasonable warranty conditions) and constitutes deceptive trade practices, as Kia advertised these engines as reliable while knowing the failure mode. I request: immediate investigation, compelled goodwill repair (or full engine replacement), and documentation of how Kia limited Rio coverage in settlement negotiations. Attached are all supporting records.
2014 Kia Rio engine problems
24 complaints (46% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,000.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 46%
- typical mileage
- 70,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Rio engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Kia Rio engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio. The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V‑568, 17V‑226, 20V‑746, and 21V‑727; and Kia recalls 17V‑224, 19V‑120, 20V‑750, and 21V‑844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires. In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V‑877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension. For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied. Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates. To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years. In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires. Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
EA21003
What 2014 Kia Rio owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I tried to get the parts fixed from the recall. However, when I tried to get it serviced I was adviced that the parts would take a few weeks to arrive. With an appending move to Helena, Mt from Lambertville, Mi they informed me that they would not be able to fix the recall issues. There is no KIA dealership within a reasonable distance from my current location. I am having issues with the dealership towing the rio without charging me the amount of $1300. The engine had completely stopped. I towed the car from Michigan to Montana with a Uhaul because of the recall issues.
The engine started to lose power, and the check engine light illuminated. The power drop was most noticable when accelerating from a stop. At times, randomly, the engine RPMs would dip down to 200-300 at idle and would almost stall. Upon further investigation, the engine has been excessively consuming oil. I brought the vehicle to a local mechanic shop to get a detailed diagnosis, they informed me the catalytic converter was clogged and constricting exhaust flow. The engine has developed a ticking/knock. The catalytic converter, and an O2 sensor was replaced with that visit. The ticking/knock persists.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
hydraulic electronic control unit HECU fire risk Kia recall sent a letter they would repair, never called so I have called many times, keep repeating no repair part, an excuse
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, she noticed a burning odor and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she made a U-turn and drove back to the residence. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,362. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Presento iluminacion del mal funcionamiento indicador lampara (mil),ABS precaucion light,burning/melting small,and smoke from the engine compartment,engine with noise and broken estoocurrio el 03/08/2023, no tenia la informacion del problema y mande a reparar el motor $ 3,890.00.necesitoque ustedes me ayuden por este pago. I present lighting of the malfunctioning lamp indicator (mil), ABS caution light, burning/melting small, and smoke from the engine compartment, engine with noise and broken this happened on 08/03/2023, I did not have the information about the problem and I sent for repair the engine $3,890.00.ni need you to help me with this payment.
Summer of 2021 - Code that signaled a failure of the catalytic converter. Taken to Kia to determine the issue which was confirmed to be a faulty catalytic converter that needed repair. After repairing the catalytic converter, oil began being consumed rapidly. This led to the oil light appearing roughly every two weeks. Oil was added to appropriate level when required and changed every 3000 miles. After about 3 months, a rattling noise was heard from the engine compartment. When taken to Kia dealer no issues were found. Late February of 2023 the oil light and appeared while driving on the interstate and the engine began to seize with a large knocking noise coming from the engine. Independent auto mechanic determined that the engine was failing. Car currently runs with a loud knock in the engine.
The car has been burning oil where I have to have it changed every week. I read that California has a lawsuit on lemon law against Kia and Hyundai for burning engines and my 2014 Kia Rio is included but I don't live in California. I am requesting you to do the same thing California is doing and do a lawsuit. I have all the receipts and proof every week I have to add oil because the engine burns oil too quickly.
Smog check came back as Cadillac converter is failing
Questions about the 2014 Kia Rio engine
Does the 2014 Kia Rio have engine problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the engine of the 2014 Kia Rio, 46% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Rio engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Kia Rio engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Rio have bad engine?
The Kia Rio model years with the most engine complaints are 2013 (56 complaints), 2001 (53 complaints) and 2016 (42 complaints).
Other 2014 Kia Rio problems
Brakes 10Airbags 7Body 6Transmission 6Electrical 5Fuel system 4Wheels 2Acceleration 1Lights 1Seat belts 1Steering 1
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