Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Park outsideService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/module
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Brakes
2023-09-26 · campaign 2023-529
Issue:
On certain vehicles, the brake hydraulic electronic control unit (HECU) could short circuit.
Safety Risk:
A short circuit could create a fire risk, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Corrective Actions:
Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the fuse(s) for the HECU. Kia recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs have been completed.
Owner complaints (54)
Owners filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Kia Rio (3 crashes, 9 fires, 4 injuries reported). Among 24 model years of this model, it ranks #7 for the most complaints (median 39).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine | 24 | |
| Air bags | 12 | |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | |
| Electrical system | 6 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | |
| Unknown or other | 5 | |
| Seat belts | 3 | |
| Service brakes | 3 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Kia Rio.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2012 Kia Rio 4 DR FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ |
| 2012 Kia Rio 5 HB FWD | 4★ | 4★ | 5★ | 4★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2012 Kia Rio version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Rio 1.6 L Automatic 6-spd | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
| Rio 1.6 L Manual 6-spd | 29 | 37 | 32 | $2,100 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.