AI Damage2023 KIA RIO: common problems
Owners of the 2023 KIA RIO filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and steering. The maker issued 19 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 12
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 19
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 17% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (25% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Suspension: 2 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- CVT
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 12 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I’ve been hearing this rattle noise mostly when I crank the vehicle. I took it to go get checked out and they heard it when I first brought it in for them to check. But when they got it to the back for mechanic to listen for it, of course it didn’t do it.
The vehicle has difficulty following a center line, higher than normal steering wheel input is required. Feels like the vehicle is being driven in strong crosswinds at any speed above 55 MPH. The vehicle is very, very difficult to keep centered when crosswinds are present.
The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle restarted; however, the transmission failed to shift into gear.
While driving, when the vehicle was stopped, it began to jerk slightly. The safety risk is that the car, while I am driving, could turn off and cause an accident, in which people could be at risk, including me. I wouldn't want this to escalate because the dealer doesn't take action on the matter.
Hi [XXX] I just collected my Kia Rio from service at LaFontaine. On driving in the freeway I noticed I had to make frequent adjustments to the steering when going straight and there was oversteering (minor tilt of the steering wheel result in exaggerated larger turn of the car).
Hi [XXX] My Kia Rio 2023 S vin number is [XXX] . Bought a couple months back new at Summit Place Kia Auburn Hills michigan. Once I drive off I realised the steering wheel alignment is off. The car does not drive straight when steering wheel is straight.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the vehicle failed to sound a seat belt warning chime to indicate that the passenger’s side seat belt was not buckled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic.
I was driving around 10mph when I noticed that the transmission would not shift at all. The RPM would only increase but the car does not accelerate. Kia dealership confirmed that the transmission is dead.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,428 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 32% least complained about).
On average one model year of the RIO has 28 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 12, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5WSOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT…
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
PARTIAL SEAT TRACK REPLACEMENT FOR INOPERATIVE FRONT SEAT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
NHTSA lists 19 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA RIO?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, steering, electrical system. Total complaints: 12. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 KIA RIO?
NHTSA lists 19 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2023 KIA RIO from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2023 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.