2014 Kia Rio

Showing the 2014 Rio 1.6 SX STD. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

Fuel economy
30–31 mpgcombined; city 27, highway 36; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,480–$10,830U.S. average; Ohio $9,360–$9,680 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
4 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
1over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
52filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2014 Rio. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Rio. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine24060
Air bags7602
Service brakes, hydraulic7010
Power train6112
Structure6311
Unknown or other6010
Electrical system5010
Fuel/propulsion system4000
Service brakes3100
Wheels2100
Equipment adaptive/mobility1010
Exterior lighting1000
3 more parts
Seat belts1101
Steering1101
Vehicle speed control1000

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 200674
  2. 200746
  3. 200846
  4. 200939
  5. 201026
  6. 201124
  7. 201254
  8. 2013153
  9. 201452
  10. 201552
  11. 201677
  12. 201731
  13. 201828
  14. 201922
  15. 202027
  16. 202115
  17. 202211
  18. 202312

Every Rio year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2014 Rio over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · reported Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles potentially affected

Park outside

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 102 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2014 Rio, the latest on Jun 9, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (42), equipment (20), structure (19), engine and engine cooling (14), engine (12).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Audit query AQ23002
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires · covers 3 makes		Service brakes, hydraulicNov 17, 2023Open
NHTSA's summary names recall 20V520000, 20V543000, 21V161000, 21V160000, 21V303000, 22V056000, 22V810000, 23V651000, 16V815000, 20V518000, 20V519000, 21V137000, 21V331000, 22V051000, 22V800000, 23V652000
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA21003
Engine Fires · covers 2 makes		EngineDec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
NHTSA's summary names recall 15V568000, 17V226000, 20V746000, 21V727000, 17V224000, 19V120000, 20V750000, 21V844000, 23V877000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2014 Rio.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 8 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
Rio
Front-Wheel Drive		1.6 L, 4 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline27 / 36 / 30
Rio
Front-Wheel Drive		1.6 L, 4 cylManual 6-spdRegular Gasoline27 / 36 / 30
Rio Eco
Front-Wheel Drive		1.6 L, 4 cylAutomatic 6-spdRegular Gasoline27 / 36 / 31

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data