2013 Kia Rio Problems, Recalls & Reliability
218 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 Kia Rio, alongside 1 recall campaign and 2 defect investigations. It scores 70/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 75,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2013 Kia Rio sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2004–2005, 2008–2009, 2011, 2017–2018, 2020.
Avoid
Where 2013 sits among all Rio years
What owners report
“On 06/12/2018, my 2013 kia rio had a fire in the engine compartment that totaled the vehicle. The fire was not the result of an accident or recent maintenance. The car simply burst into flames in the engine compartment while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Rio
“The air bag light has come on and as I understand I am no longer protected in case of an accident.i do not find a recall but there should be as I am seeing many complaints for the same issue”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Rio
“A couple of days ago, air-bag warning light became on during driving. I tried to disconnect the battery but it won't go away. Nothing happened so far. No accident, no damage, and etc.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Rio
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Rio
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 100 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 68,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 41,800 and 100,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (1)
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units…
Led to recall campaign 23V877.
Technical service bulletins
133 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2013 Kia Rio. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 Kia Rio reliable?
The 2013 Kia Rio drew 218 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 70/100, scored against the model's worst year (2001).
What are the most common 2013 Kia Rio problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 Kia Rio are engine (56 complaints), airbags (34), and electrical (33).
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Rio problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 Kia Rio problems around 68,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 41,800 and 100,000 miles.
Does the 2013 Kia Rio have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2013 Kia Rio. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.