KnownCarProblems2016 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Rio, most often about the engine (53% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is 4th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2016 Kia Rio problems
Engine
41 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, he heard an abnormal loud clicking sound coming from the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a nearby gas station, where he noticed the engine oil had spilled and the piston and the connecting…
The contact owns a 2016 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 repair. The dealer was…
Brakes
18 complaints · 23%Parts named most often: antilock.
The contact owns a 2016 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 repair. The dealer was…
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio lx . The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the contact could not see and it was difficult to steer the wheel causing the vehicle to slide into a ditch. The contact stated the tire pressure monitoring system and anti-lock brake light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive the…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 20%When I turned my right signal light on the front and rear windshield wipers came on and the high beam light icon started flashing on the dashboard.
At 148,000 miles on the freeway the gas pedal would not give any power, still running but would not go, stalled a few times. Had to pull over and wait, restart and go a few miles, pull over and wait, then go, etc. Come to find out there was not a drop of oil left. After replenishing, still had issues, then noticed the…
Electrical
8 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: ignition.
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Rio. A minute after the contact exited the vehicle, it caught on fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The dealer (dyer Kia, 21280 US-27, lake wales, fl 33859) was contacted and advised the contact to call the manufacturer. The…
Problems: 1) AC stops working and only blows warm air, 2) windshield wipers does not work. Both front and back 3) front lights does not work
Transmission
5 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2016 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, who were unable…
Air bags
4 complaints · 5%On september 16, 2016 at approximately9:12pm, I [] , had just picked up a passenger was involved in a car accident . Where as I was rear ended while at a complete stop at a signal light at the intersection of southwestern and mockingbird with the passenger in the car. There was a police report filed the number is []…
Fuel system
4 complaints · 5%Lights
4 complaints · 5%When haedlights are on automatic and turn on turn signal and make turn when turn signal goes off after making turn it turns off head lights when moving
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Kia Rio recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 19, 2023. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc278.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 rio, 2016-2018 optima, 2017-2018 optima hybrid and optima plug-in hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 401, "internal trunk release."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
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 (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Questions about the 2016 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (41 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); brakes (18 complaints); other or unspecified (15 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Rio have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is 4th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 77 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.