There are 5 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2012 Kia Rioin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Our granddaughter bought this car from a private seller. My son is a mechanic and when he inspected the undercarriage he found a small leak in the seam of the gas tank. The local KIA dealer said it is not covered. This, to me, is a safety and emissions issue. Please assist. The car is available at any time for inspection. Thank you
REPLACED CADALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSOR DEC 2017, AND ENGINE LIGHT IS ON NOW WITH DIAGNOSTICS SAYING SAME THINGS AGAIN. OIL NEEDS TO BE PUT IN CAR EVERY WEEK OR TWO. FED UP WITH THIS CAR
THIS IS MY SECOND POST. MY FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACTING UP THE LAST 1-2WKS. I NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ONE DAY THAT THE FUEL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE NEEDLE MOVED TO EMPTY ON MY DASHBOARD. I HAD PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS IN MY CAR LESS THAN 24HR EARLIER AND ONLY DRIVEN 20MI. SO I WAS QUITE ALARMED. I STOPPED TO CHECK MY FUEL CAP. CHECKED FOR LEAKS. BUT THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS ISSUE. THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF AND THE NEEDLE ROSE BACK UP TO THE FULL READING. WEIRD OF COURSE. I FIGURED IT WAS A GLITCH SO I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT. HOWEVER THE SAME ISSUE CONT'D TO OCCUR OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVENTUALLY CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO AUTOZONE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS AN ISSUE W/ MY FUEL SENSOR SYSTEM. GREATNESS NEWS EVER B/C I AM STILL DEALING W/ MY AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE FROM CLOSE TO TWO MONTHS AGO!!!!!!! I HAVE HAD SOME HELP FROM THE DEALER REGARDING THE AIRBAG MATTER, WHICH I AM THANKFUL FOR. HOWEVER I AM BECOMING VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY VEHICLE NOW THAT I HAVE A NEW ISSUE IN LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. I UNDERSTAND CARS REQUIRE MAINTENANCE. BUT THE COST AND NEED FOR MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE A MORE REASONABLE BURDEN FOR THE OWNER. BECAUSE THIS IS BECOMING UNBEARABLE. NOT SURE WHAT I WILL DO WITH MY CAR LONG TERM. MY HUSBAND AND I DO PLAN TO FIX BOTH ISSUES AS TIME AND MONEY PERMITS. BUT I WILL DEFINITELY LOOK INTO SELLING MY CAR SOON AND SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ANOTHER DEALER FOR FUTURE CAR PURCHASES.
CAR PAUSES AND THEN EXHILARATES WHEN DRIVING OR BACKING UP FOR EXPLANATION AND ALSO WANTS TO STALL WHEN PUSHING ON THE GAS WHEN TRYING TO GET ON HIGHWAY..
THE FUEL HOSE VENT LINE LEAKED FUEL INTO BACK SEAT OF VEHICLE WHILE FUELING, TAKEN TO DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT KIA SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND I SPILT GAS ON THE SEAT. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026