2015 Kia Rio: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NV · fire

tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time. I somehow got out of burning vehicle and ran about 100 yards and watched the car explode!! Had car tuned up at Findlay Honda whede it was bought, 4 months ago, and they said it was fine... fire and police both told me i should not be here. Since, my life is in shambles. No car, no ID for a motnh, no license for 3 weeks. I bought car in 2023--- car was recalled in 2020. But was it and if it was, why did this EXACT problem occur? Someone must be responsible. On anxiety pillxs

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · SC · fire

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed flame jutting up from the engine. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames but did not provide details on a possible cause for the fire. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but had yet to be evaluated by the insurance provider. The contact was unaware if a fire report had been filed. A police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); the VIN was included, and parts were available, but the vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2024 · Engine · 118,000 miles · IL · fire

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the friend was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power, and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The vehicle was parked and the friend exited the vehicle and discovered flames coming from the engine compartment. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was destroyed and later towed away to a nearby towing facility. A fire and police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure and fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · UT

My Kia had be under an unresolved recall that can cause a fire, not only putting myself and my family, but other drivers at risk. I have a toddler who rides with me and would be extremely hard to get out of a car seat if the car caught on fire, as such I have reduced driving with them to ensure safety, but this is an issue that cannot continue and I should not have to put myself and others at risk. I cannot afford to buy a new car and should not be forced to due to a manufacturing issue

Filed Jun 2, 2021 · Engine · CA

Last night, my car ran exactly as usual. No warning lights on the dash. No strange sounds. This morning when I started the car, there was a weird ticking sound coming from the engine. I decided to take the car into the shop. About a mile from home, it began to have trouble with acceleration and would randomly stall for a fraction of a second before catching again. The ticking sound became unbearable just as the check engine light and oil level lights turned on, so I pulled over and called a tow truck. After inspection at the auto shop, my beloved car was diagnosed with premature engine failure. The mechanic explained that this engine consumed oil rather than just using it to lubricate the moving parts, meaning that even religious oil changes are not enough. Had I continued driving instead of calling a tow, my car likely would have caught fire! Now I have no car (well a car but no engine) and because I am the second owner, the warranty doesn't apply to me. I have been a loyal Kia and Hyundai owner despite bad publicity over the years because I saw major improvements and innovative growth in the company. Kia tells me that because there is no active recall on the engine and I don't qualify for the warranty, there's nothing they can do. Please note they are actively involved in a lawsuit with the goal of recalling the 1.6L Gamma engines in Kia Rio 2015 for this very reason! There are a small percentage of defective engines that pose a fire risk in these cars. Raising awareness by contacting the company directly and reporting to the federal safety agency is the only way that Kia/Hyundai might do something about it!

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Engine · 106,000 miles · TX · fire

I was driving to work, hand heard a pop under my hood. My engine and battery indicator lights started flashing and I lost all power. After polling over and turning my car off, I noticed a tone of smoke coming from under the hood. I popped the hood latch and peaked under with out opening the hood after seeing light. I noticed the flames and grabbed my phone to call 911. Soon after the car was engulfed inflames and 3 bangs where heard. Both tires and I'm guessing the fuel line erupted. The front half of my car was now ablaze starting to reach the interior started to burn before the fire department could put the fire out.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Fuel system · WA · fire

On may 4, 2019, at around 2:15 pm I was drving around 15 miles/hr for 1 mile & I stopped around 230th avenue sw & highway 99 in seattle. I stopped because I heard some engine noises. I opened the hood and soon after saw flames under the engine. The flames grew bigger and the whole engine caught fire. I called 911 and the police and the fire department put out the fire. By 2:45, the fire was extinguised. The complete front of the car was burnt.

Filed Jun 20, 2019 · Engine · 101,500 miles · CO · fire

My engine caught on fire as I was driving the car. There was a knock sensor error discovered a couple hours before, but nothing was indicating that there was imminent critical danger.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 70,000 miles · MI · fire

Vehicle was in motion turning right decelerating as I turned. Once I turned, acceleration pedal was disengaged and no acceleration was happening. Braking system was completely locked up and could not press the brakes. When I coasted to a stop, there was visible fire coming from underneath the engine compartment. Temp gage never registered as high while driving. Within a matter of a couple minutes, the whole car was engulfed in flames as I waited for the fire department to arrive. They said there was no visible fluid leaking on the ground and did not know the cause of the fire. Car was maintained regularly for oil. Had issues with the car overheating and took it to kia and they could not find anything wrong with it and released me. Car is totaled now.

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Engine · 79,553 miles · FL · fire

Purchased the car from kia dealer on 5/20/17 with limited power train warranty. Had oil change done on 7/22/17and again on 10/14/17(copies were provided to the warranty company). The second one was at the dealer. On 12/8/17 my daughter was driving down the street and felt a jolt and saw smoke coming from the hood of the car. She was able to pull over and get out of the car safely. Someone used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire before the fire department arrived. It was towed to a different kia dealership who said "the engine has internal damage that locked up the engine and caused oil to spill and catch fire." the warranty company denied the claim and said that it was lack of maintenance and there wasn't any oil in the car which contradicts what the dealer said. We tried fighting it but after a month we needed transportation and reported the claim to our insurance company who totaled the car but did not give us full value because the warranty company said it was lack of maintenance. Now we see all the reports on other kia's going on fire and believe our car had the same issue. We lost over $7,000 on the deal.