This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the vehicle started jerking and the contact smelled oil burning coming from the vehicle. The vehicle started losing all motion of power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnoses. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was misfiring, and that the vehicle needed a new engine and advised to contact the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the dealer also stated that the vehicle was misfiring, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,287.
After two weeks of buying the car from a dealer, I was driving and I heard a noise in the engine, when I checked it had almost no motor oil. I have changed the oil and filter, but it consumes 2 quarts every 2 weeks (less than 1,000 miles). This has been happening since April 2021.
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 NHTSA is the only way that Kia/Hyundai might do something about it!
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. While driving 60-65 mph on the freeway, the vehicle started to jerk and a loud grinding noise was heard without warning. The contact managed to exit the freeway onto a residential street where the contact noticed smoke under the hood. Suddenly, there was a loud explosion under the hood and the contact's head impacted the steering wheel. The vehicle became engulfed with black smoke. The contact sustained a busted lip, bruised eye, a whiplash, and a concussion. Medical attention was not receive as of yet. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed by an independent mechanic to a lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was unknown.
- Arlington, TX, USA
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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.
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.
Driving approximately 40 mph, car hesitates to accelerate. Check engine light came on. Had car checked, diagnostic says catalytic converter is not operating properly. I had this part replaced less than 4 months ago! now the same problem is occurring again!
When I frist got my car the engine light came on. Dean mccrary fixed it. Now the light comes back on and off. May car drive slow sometime. I had it checked they said it was cavalier
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.
The engine periodically will stall for 2-3 seconds, usually when starting a left turn from a stop. This can prove hazardous in a busy intersection. This has been going on since I bought the car 12 October 2015. The dealer stated the "hesitation" was a normal function of the engine computer's "acclimation" to the driver. It hasn't adjusted to me, and I'm afraid to let my wife or daughter drive the car.
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. While driving 35 mph, the engine lost power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact noticed smoke and fire coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,600.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Portland, OR, USA