Reliable Auto DB

2015 Kia Rio reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Rio over 12 years — 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Rio years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

2012 Kia Rio
Photo by Makizox, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

52

Per year

2

Recalls

1

Years on the road

12

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (23 of 52), then Electrical system (9) and Hydraulic brakes (9). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 10 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2014 and 2016

The 2014 Rio has 52 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2016 has 77 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2015 Kia Rio. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (52 total)

Engine
23
Electrical system
9
Hydraulic brakes
9
Air bags
5
Engine and engine cooling
4
Service brakes
3
Speed control
3
Seat belts
2
Structure
2
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Powertrain
1
Steering
1
Wheels
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

10

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201522016220176201815201922021220228202310202432025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "tHE ENTIRE CAR FAILED. cAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE CONSOLE AND PASSENGER SEAT WHILE DRIVING ON 1-15 . 8.15.2025 . Car filled wit black moke and fire.l was driving blind. brakes failed, power failed, burning the entire time.…"
    Electrical system, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-09-17
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and evacuate the vehicle.…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2025-02-28
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the…"
    Hydraulic brakes, Engine and engine cooling · filed 2025-01-30
  • "The contact owns a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that her son was unable to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle…"
    Hydraulic brakes · filed 2024-11-12
  • "The contact owned a 2015 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the friend was driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to lose automotive power, and smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2024-08-13

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2015 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2015 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Rio 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Rio 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 36 30 MPG $2150
Rio Eco 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 27 36 31 MPG $2100

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (YB), 2012–2017
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (1.6L Gamma) , 3.8 qt capacity
Tire size 185/65R15 to 195/55R16 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 23V652000. 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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2014 Kia Rio Next year 2016 Kia Rio See every Kia Rio model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Kia Rio reliable?

Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Rio over 12 years — 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Rio years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2015 Kia Rio?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (23 of 52), then Electrical system (9) and Hydraulic brakes (9). Those filings include 4 that report a crash, 10 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Is the 2015 Kia Rio more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2014 Rio has 52 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2016 has 77 complaints, 3 per year. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014. The 2015 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016.

Has the 2015 Kia Rio been recalled?

The 2015 Kia Rio has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2015 Kia Rio?

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 2015 Kia Rio with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2015 Kia Rio get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2015 Kia Rio is 30.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Kia Rio take?

YB (2012-2017) 1.6L Gamma: 5W-20 or 5W-30. YB2 (2018-2023) 1.6L Smartstream: 0W-20. Confirm the manual.

What does NHTSA campaign 21V936000 cover on later Rio?

Certain 2020-2021 Rio vehicles: the brake master cylinder may have been manufactured with sharp edges that can damage the inner oil seal, resulting in reduced braking performance.

When did the YB2 Rio generation start?

Model year 2018 (through 2023 on this site).