YearToAvoid

2014 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2014 Kia Rio has a Complaint Index of 61 and ranks 8th of 19 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 48% of complaints, including 8 reported fires, plus one brake recall.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
61/100
#8 of 19 Rio years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
52
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
1 Park Outside
Crashes
7
reported in complaints
Fires
8
Injuries
4
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2011
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
30
27 city / 36 hwy
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0

Top 2014 Kia Rio problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine25 (48%)
  2. Brakes10 (19%)
  3. Airbags7 (13%)
  4. Other7 (13%)
  5. Electrical System6 (12%)
  6. Structure & Body6 (12%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain6 (12%)
  8. Fuel System4 (8%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine compartments catch fire, sometimes with thick white smoke coming through the air conditioning vents before flames appear.
  • Owners report the engine fire happening both at low mileage and after many years of use, including one case near 130,000 miles.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed rear-end and side-impact collisions, even when the vehicle is damaged enough to shatter a wheel.
  • Seat belts have reportedly locked and failed to release after a crash, trapping an occupant.
  • A structure and body complaint describes an engine fire that spread after the car rolled and struck a utility pole.
  • One owner linked an engine block hole found during a fire investigation to other known Kia engine recalls.
2014 Kia Rio complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2014Jul 2015Sep 2016Apr 2019Aug 2021Jul 2023Aug 2024
52 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2014 to Aug 2026; peak Nov 2015 (3).

2014 Kia Rio recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside

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

    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.

2014 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
36 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,150
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Rio years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Caution5654131.5
2013Avoid100153132
2014Caution6152130
2015Avoid8952130
2016Avoid8377231

All Kia Rio years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2014 Rio a Complaint Index of 61, ranking 8th worst out of 19 model years for this model, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems account for 48% of its complaints, including 8 reported fires.
What is the top problem area for the 2014 Kia Rio?
Engine complaints lead, making up 48% of all reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 60,000 miles and 6 fires among them.
Does the 2014 Kia Rio have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2014 Rio, campaign 23V652000, covering brakes and advising owners to park outside away from structures until repaired.
How does the 2014 Rio compare to other Rio years?
The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 61 is worse than years like 2011 (17, Best) and 2021 (6, Best), but better than 2013 (100, Avoid) and 2020 (94, Avoid).
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Kia Rio?
The EPA rates the 2014 Rio at 30 mpg combined (27 city / 36 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.