Reliable Auto DB

2017 Kia Rio reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 Kia Rio has 31 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 1 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 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Latch.

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

31

Per year

1

Recalls

2

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 31), then Hydraulic brakes (6) and Air bags (3). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Rio has 77 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 28 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

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 2017 Kia Rio. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

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.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, trunk lid, latch 2023-08-24 · NHTSA campaign 23V594000
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."
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (31 total)

Engine
11
Hydraulic brakes
6
Air bags
3
Electrical system
3
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Powertrain
1
Seat belts
1
Service brakes
1
Speed control
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

6

Injury reports

2

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201822019120202202122022112023720241202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The engine of my Kia Rio 2017 is the system that is failing it is sudden with no warning and has been diagnosed by Kia themselves stating that the engine will seize. My safety is put at risk because the car may seize…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-24
  • "As my car was driving my vehicle encountered sudden changes and my engine light went on. As the vehicle stopped driving on its own there was smoke coming from the hood and a fire stared shortly after underneath the car."
    Engine · filed 2026-05-19
  • "I was driving my 2017 Kia Rio at approximately 70 mph when the vehicle began shaking violently. I heard a loud mechanical sound from the engine compartment that sounded like something broke loose and was being thrown…"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-27
  • "My son and I were driving home from work on IH-35 and I noticed smoke coming from under my hood. Then within seconds, flames appeared moving quickly towards the windshield. I attempted to move to the shoulder and after…"
    Service brakes, Engine · filed 2024-07-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 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 Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 27 36 31 MPG $2100
Rio 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (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 2016 Kia Rio Next year 2018 Kia Rio See every Kia Rio model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Kia Rio reliable?

The 2017 Kia Rio has 31 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 1 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 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Latch.

What are common problems with a 2017 Kia Rio?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (11 of 31), then Hydraulic brakes (6) and Air bags (3). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 6 that report a fire, and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 Kia Rio more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Rio has 77 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2018 has 28 complaints, 1 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Kia Rio been recalled?

The 2017 Kia Rio has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Kia Rio?

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2017 Kia Rio with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Kia Rio get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Kia Rio is 30.7 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).