Kia Rio brake failure problems

Filed Nov 3, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 114,928 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact had notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The recall repair was performed; however, while starting the vehicle the check engine, ABS, and oil warning lights and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. While attempting to turn the steering wheel, there was a lot of resistance in the steering wheel and while pressing the brake pedal the brake pedal went to the floorboard and lost power brakes functionality. The contact checked the brake fluid level, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer. The contact was informed that there repair had not worked, and resetting the fuse had failed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 114,928.

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 Nov 12, 2024 · Brakes · LA

When traveling 60 mph and slowing to try to stop, brake pedal went all the way to the floor and vehicle would not brake. Had to engage emergency brake to stop vehicle during normal operation on multiple occasions. Once while stopped at a red light, vehicle was completely stopped, then the brake pedal lowered to the floorboard and the vehicle started rolling forward. I had to turn the steering wheel and engage the emergency brake to avoid colliding with traffic. No dashboard lights came on, no warning lamps or messages. No other symptoms. I went to the Kia Dealership immediately. There was a hole in my front brake line and all of the fluid had leaked out. Vehicle was less than 2 years old, less than 100,000 miles on it.

Filed Jun 9, 2024 · Brakes, Engine · PA · fire

My 2018 Kia Rio actually lit up on fire as I was driving down the highway on way to work. As I drove down the highway, I noticed that I had trouble using the brakes. It seemed as if they were working one second and then not working the next. At that time, I noticed fire coming from underneath the car and I was able to get the vehicle to the side of the road. As I was exiting the vehicle, the flames were coming up on either side of the driver and passenger doors. Within the next couple minutes the car exploded. Fire rescue put out the fire and the interstate was closed to all traffic. Since the incident, my family and I have done research and found several incidents with very similar stories with regard to what happened to the vehicle. I believe it is well documented that there is a problem with certain Kia models that involves some kind of deficiency in the brake line that can cause the puncture/severing of fuel line. The end result can include "loss of braking ability" and "potential fire hazard". Reading these other incident reports from other families was exactly the way the vehicle reacted in my own incident. I could've lost my life in this incident and I wholeheartedly believe that liability lays with the manufacturer. My vehicle was very well maintained. Regular maintenance included inspections, tires, oil changes and more. There is NO reason why this should've occurred. I have tried to contact the Kia dealership where I purchased the car, the service manager, and other Kia dealerships in the area (Mufreesboro, TN) and have been told there is absolutely nothing I can do and I find that unacceptable. Understand that there are witnesses, photos, new coverage photos etc. I sincerely hope to get a response on how to pursue damages and to ensure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Brakes · ID · crash

We were doing a lot of stop and go driving in warm weather. I noticed braking seemed to be normal at first but just before the accident I press the brake and the pedal went to the floor and the vehicle wouldn’t . I hit the car in front of me. My vehicle was presumably totaled. There was lots of fluids on the floor.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · CA · fire

I was driving home one night and my brakes stopped working, then all the lights on my dashboard came on. Thankfully I was able to pull over safely off the freeway exit and another car pulled over next to me to let me know my car was on fire. The fire looked like it was in the center bottom of the car. I lifted the hood to the front of the car. There were two bystanders who were able to get a bucket of water and put the fire out before it got too big. There is no visible damage to the outside of the car.

Filed Jun 18, 2020 · Engine · 76,500 miles · VA · fire

I was driving my 2014 kia rio to work at approximately 7 am this morning with no noticeable problems until halfway to work which would be approx. 30 miles into my 52 mile drive. After I made a turn from a stop light, I noticed a weird smell as I drove and decided to stop the vehicle and check it out. 1st, I glanced in my rear view mirror, checking for any other cars before I pulled over, then everything else followed so quickly: saw smoke coming from the rear of my car, immediately hitting the brakes, which were not working now, smoke coming from the hood of the engine, using emergency brake, and the finally coming to a stop where I got out quickly as possible as the engine was engulfing the car in flames. I have no clue as to what has caused this. Note: there were no indications, such as check engine light, coolant temp, or any dash indicators, just weird smell and loss of brakes. I am including several photos.

Filed Sep 25, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · 43,128 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia rio. While driving 7 MPH in traffic, the contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard, but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle and used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to engage. As a result, the contact's body struck the steering wheel. The contact sustained chest, neck, shoulder, and knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to bill byrd kia (2435 e 15th st, panama city, fl 32405, phone number: (850) 872-0444) where it was diagnosed that the ABS module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer informed the contact that the federal safety agency made them install the warning lights for public safety, but it did not mean that they had to work or illuminate. The approximate failure mileage was 43,128.

Filed Jan 4, 2016 · Brakes · 126,000 miles · CA

I was traveling about 40 MPH exiting on the fwy off ramp which turns to the right. Initially my brakes worked and then it made a awful winding sound. The car was gaining speed as I made the turn and I totally lost my brakes and had to use my hand brake to stop before almost running into the back of a car. I had my brakes checked and was told that my shoes were very good but I wen ahead and put new ones on anyway. I am still having the same problem. On the fwy having to use my brakes at speeds over 40 MPH cause the same noise and no brakes until I have slowed below 40mph.

Filed Nov 8, 2015 · Brakes · 62,000 miles · TX

Car has 62,000 miles, rear brake went out first, upon inspection, on the right side went out, on the side of the padding there was metal to metal, middle part had minimal hair line minimal of padding left however the left one still had halfway padding, pretty good, rotor would not turn, brakes had stayed in place for a long time, wheel cylinder appears to be defective, cannot place a new brake pad, due to the piston constantly coming out, 2 mechanics were unable to fix this issue and one of them did successful get the brake pads in place and placed the caliper back, however, the rotor would not turn, meaning my brakes would stay in place all the time thus, having to force the car to move. Mechanic says that I had been driving with the brakes set at the same time, and what was odd for him was that only one side gave out sooner than the other, when it fact it should be the front ones to give out first and then the rear ones but no, only 1 side from the rear gave out, the front ones had really good padding left. But this poses a big issue for me, safety issue, for me and my family when we are in the car, it could light up in flames, burst my tire, spark up, please help. I had to put the used brake pads from the left side onto the right side to at least have some padding, new ones cannot be placed because as soon as I place the clamp to push the piston in, and I remove it, it comes right out, it seems like theres some pressure there. I dont know if this is to be covered in the warranty but im sure this is not only happening to me, please help!!!!