Vehicle has excessive oil consumption defect acknowledged in Kia TSB ENG222. Repeated catalytic converter failures indicate potential overheating risk similar to 2019 Gamma engine recall for fire hazard. Engine burning oil creates risk of critically low oil levels leading to engine failure/stalling while driving. Multiple emission system failures (oil consumption, catalytic converter) suggest unsafe vehicle condition. Vehicle failed Kia’s own oil consumption tests in December 2023 and March 2024. Kia dealership recommended engine replacement per TSB ENG222 in March 2024. Kia denied coverage citing “second owner, out of warranty” despite defect clearly existing at time of purchase and being acknowledged in their TSB. Vehicle now showing catalytic converter failure code again (14-month-old converter failing). Kia refuses to remedy despite documented defect.
Kia Rio stalling problems
124 of the 1,296 owner complaints about the Kia Rio describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 124
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical repair cost reported
- $700
- typical mileage
- 53,015
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 30Oil consumption 7Engine failure 7Won't start 6Misfire 6Loss of power 6Fire or smoke 6Knocking 6
What owners say
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while coming to a stoplight, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not need to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
My 2018 Kia Rio S (VIN [XXX] ) suffered sudden engine failure at approximately 84 000 miles. I pulled over immediately when the oil light came on, but the engine began rattling and was later diagnosed by the dealer as a bearing/seizure failure requiring full engine replacement (estimate ≈ $15 865). This vehicle uses the 1.6 L Gamma II GDI engine, which is the same engine family already included in Kia’s “Engine Litigation II” settlement and KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) program for Forte, Soul, and other models. However, Kia claims the 2018 Rio is not covered by the extended warranty even though the failure mode is identical (rod-bearing wear and oil starvation). I never received any recall or settlement notice. The lack of notification and exclusion of the Rio model leave owners unprotected against a known safety-related defect that can cause stalling or fire. I request the federal safety agency investigate inclusion of 2018 Kia Rio vehicles in the existing Gamma engine recall/settlement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving when my Kia stalled and shut off but was still playing music and driving. So I pulled over and then my Kia caught on fire and went up in flames.
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.
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 2018 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a cylinder #1 misfire. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,316.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her son was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle towed back to the residence. The contact was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
I've been having issues with the engine for a while I'm constantly getting oil changes and after getting the oil change I would still have to add oil in every 2-3 weeks. 2/14/2024 My Oil light came on back on after putting oil in 2 weeks prior. That day my Car stalled on the HWY all my dash lights( battery, engine and oil light flashed. Ive been to multiple mechanics shop such as Express oil and Midas and both have told me there is a recall on engine such as mines, I called Kia multiple times and they told me it wasn't. I took the car to Kia last year and told them i was having issues with my engine and they told me I all I needed was a tuneup. Got the tune up and oil changed. I still ended up having to continue to add oil in my car. I brought this car brand new back in 2018 and only put 117k miles on the car. I've gotta regular oil changes and kept up with the car. My oil wasn't due for another oil change when the incident occurred.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Kia Rio stalling
Which Kia Rio years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (29 complaints), 2002 (21 complaints) and 2013 (9 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Kia Rio?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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