2017 Kia Rio Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2017 Kia Rio.

20162018
Complaints
35
Crashes
4
Fires
6
Injuries
6
Fatalities
—
Recalls
2

Worst 2017 Kia Rio Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#19 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:105,500 mi
Fires:4
#26 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

#33 complaints

Airbags

Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2017 Kia Rio.

Engine Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
105,500
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Kia Rio. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2017 Kia Rio

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,049,628 vehicles.

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~1,730,192 affected

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.

23V594000Latches/locks/linkages:trunk Lid:latch
~319,436 affected

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."

Other Kia Rio Years

200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023

2017 Kia Rio — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2017 Kia Rio reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2017 Kia Rio has 35 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2017 Kia Rio?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (9 complaints, avg 105,500 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (6 complaints); Airbags (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Kia Rio?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 105,500 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2017 Kia Rio?
NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Kia Rio include 4 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2017 Kia Rio have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,049,628 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2017 Kia Rio?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Kia Rio reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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