Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2015 Kia Rio: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2015 Kia Rio, most recently filed September 2023. Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2015 Kia Rio. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2015 Kia Rio. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 23V652000 Filed Sep 25, 2023

HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
32.4% repairedof 1,730,192 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V652000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (52)

52 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

4involved a crash
10involved a fire
11injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Kia Rio, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 52.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2015 compares with other Rio years

Best and worst Rio years →
2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
This year (2015)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 11.6%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2015 Kia Rio 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 31 mpg combined

31
mpg combined
27
city
36
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,150
CO₂ tailpipe
286 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,107per year
$176per month
484gallons a year

Miles ÷ 31 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2015 Kia Rio configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 31$2,150286
1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30$2,250292
1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive27 / 36 / 30$2,250290

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2015 Rio for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Rio years

Where to next

2015 Kia Rio FAQ

How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Rio have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 23V652000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2015 Kia Rio problems?

Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (23), Service brakes (12), Electrical system (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2015 Kia Rio get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 27 city, 36 highway and 31 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2015 Kia Rio get?

NHTSA rated the 2015 Kia Rio 4 dr fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (11.6% rollover risk).

How does the 2015 Rio compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2020 Kia Rio model years at least five years old, the 2019 drew the fewest complaints (21) and the 2013 the most (153). The 2015 drew 52. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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