2011 KIA RIO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
32
Owner Complaints
0
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 KIA RIO
The 2011 KIA RIO has received a total of 32 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (7 complaints), Air Bags (5 complaints), and Electrical System (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 KIA RIO
There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2011 KIA RIO. No Active Recalls
Owner Complaints for the 2011 KIA RIO
32 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 KIA RIO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Coils, I have been through 6 sets of coils since I bought this car in 2011. This causes the engine to run rough , sputter & have no pick up when trying to accelerate. The 1st set I paid the dealer $125 a piece bc they said I must replace all 4 at once even though when 1 coil burned out under warranty they only replaced the 1. I got smart after dealing with the dealer. I bought lifetime coils from autozone and about every 1.5 to 2 years I am replacing them. It's easy to do but thats not the point. I've never had or heard of any car doing this except mine. And please let's not talk about resetting the computer brain. That is an impossible task in LA the land of teaffic....please take a moment & read the hoops you have to go through on kia's Rio forum. After trying to get my car slogged for a year I paid a guy 135.00 gave him my car for the night so he could do it. Utter [XXX] ! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Painting peeling off the whole car. It’s going to cause the car to rust.Defect in Kia painting process.
The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.
The engine and all electrical shuts down without warning. This happened three times in heavy traffic and nearly caused an accident. The engine stops running and the electrical components turn off which shuts down power steering and power brakes. Each time this has happened the electrical is disabled and the car is completely dead with zero response when the ignition key is turned; no dash lights, no starter, no power. After the first incident the plugs and coil packs were changed out. After the second incident the fuse block was changed out which was said to have been overheating. After the third incident the car was parked and has not been driven since. After the "dead" car is towed and it sits for a couple of hours it will start again and run for indeterminable amount of time before shutting down.
It was 12/21/2022 at about 3:15 PM in the afternoon and I had just turned right into the parking lot of St. Alexius Medical Center, 1555 Barrington Rd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169. I took a left turn, and went north about fifty feet and stopped at a stop sign. A car was stopped at the same intersection from the right facing west. As I waited for the other car to turn in front of me, my 2011 Kia Rio started to surge in speed without my foot on the accelerator. I instinctively jammed on my brake pedal to avoid hitting the car turning in front of me. Luckily, I did not hit the other vehicle, but I am concerned that this might happen again unexpectedly. The temperature at the time was about 20 degrees outside.
Safety Rating for the 2011 KIA RIO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2011 KIA RIO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 KIA RIO
Kia America, Inc. has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 KIA RIO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
CS2311B_OWNRJB — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge...
CS2311B_OWNRJB — STRUCTURE
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge...
TSBTRA047_R2 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft serviceability for Kia vehicles equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
WTY002BULLETINRI — SEATS
WARRANTY BULLETIN: WTY002 - 2008~2011MY RIO PASSENGER SEAT OCS SENSOR MAT WARRANTY EXTENSION (WTY002) - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT IN 2008~2011MY RIO (JB) VEHICLES. IF THE SENSOR MAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT...
WTY002OWNERRIO — EQUIPMENT
OWNER LETTER: WTY002 RIO - DEAR KIA RIO OWNER: KIA MOTORS AMERICAS HIGHEST COMMITMENT IS TO YOUR SAFETY. TO THAT END, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT TO 15 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE, STARTING FROM THE DATE OF FIRST SERVICE....
TSBBOD140 — AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
TSB: FRONT PASSENGER OCS SENSOR MAT DIAGNOSIS AND REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) SENSOR MAT IN 2008~2011MY RIO (JB) VEHICLES. IF THE SENSOR MAT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE...
TSBTRA049R1 — POWER TRAIN
TSB: 6-SPD. A/T ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET /RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM/TCM. AFTER THE ADAPTIVE VALUES ARE RESET, THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER ADAPTIVE VALUES MUST BE RELEARNED BY DRIVING IN A PRECISE MANNER TO...
TSB-021 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
KIA: INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED RELATING TO THE BATTERY CABLE TERMINAL REPLACEMENT OF THE POSITIVE (+) AND THE NEGATIVE (-) ON SOME VEHICLES. *PE
TSB-083 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
KIA: FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM, SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE PROVIDED. *PE
TSB-032 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
KIA: PCM UPGRADE FOR TRANSMISSION LOGIC TO IMPROVE FUEL EFFICIENCY/CRUISE CONTROL. PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE TO UPGRADE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) OF SOME MODEL VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 KIA RIO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the KIA RIO
- 2006 KIA RIO — 88 complaints
- 2007 KIA RIO — 64 complaints
- 2008 KIA RIO — 57 complaints
- 2009 KIA RIO — 54 complaints
- 2010 KIA RIO — 38 complaints
- 2011 KIA RIO (current)
- 2012 KIA RIO — 70 complaints
- 2013 KIA RIO — 216 complaints
- 2014 KIA RIO — 73 complaints
- 2015 KIA RIO — 69 complaints
- 2016 KIA RIO — 108 complaints
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