Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Rio, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 18% |
| Air bags | 22 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 12% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 5% |
| Steering | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact called on behalf of her mother, who owned a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while the contact's mother was approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Was sleeping and heard a pop looked and there was a fire under the hood tried to extinguish it got it outside on the road, and it burned to the ground basically
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Vehicle showed all defect warnings as described in recall #23v652 .To include loss of all hydraulic components. Your reference Claim # [XXX]. I would like to know the status of this claim as the dealer still has my vehi
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact had notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The recall repair was performed
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Car started smoking while drive, lucky I was already pulling in my driveway.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
On July 17, 2025, shortly before 4am, my son's 2013 Kia Rio caught fire, while sitting in the driveway turned off, and was totally destroyed. The car was parked in the driveway at his house and there were not any warnin
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Rio. The contact stated that after receiving a notice of a recall, the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for the recall repair; however, several days later, the contact experienced intermitt
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Engline starting smoking and the car was engulfed in flames.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Kia Rio. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 95 | excellent |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 54 | average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 28 of them (18%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.