2012 Kia Rio recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 1
Park-it warnings: 1
Complaints: 54
Latest campaign: Sep 25, 2023

Recall summary by component1

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Park‑it	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	1	Sep 25, 2023	23V652000

Safety recalls1

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

1Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 25, 2023Latest campaign


Sep 25, 202323V652000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park outside, away from structures DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000 What's wrong 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 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. Campaign NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023

Sep 25, 202323V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Park outside, away from structures

DetailsHide details for campaign 23V652000

What's wrong: 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: 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.
Campaign: NHTSA 23V652000 · Sep 25, 2023

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2012 Kia Rio? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component54

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

54Complaints filed

3Involving a crash

9Involving a fire

4Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	24	44	0	7	0
Air bags	12	22	2	0	3
Fuel/propulsion system	7	13	0	0	0
Service brakes	6	11	0	0	0
Vehicle speed control	6	11	1	0	1
Electrical system	6	11	0	3	0
Unknown or other	5	9	0	1	0
Hydraulic	3	6	0	0	0
Seat belts	3	6	2	0	3
Wheels	2	4	0	0	0
Engine and engine cooling	1	2	0	1	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	2	0	0	0
Suspension	1	2	0	0	0
Fuel system	1	2	0	0	0
Gasoline	1	2	0	0	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Engine
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2012 Kia Rio, which currently has approximately 150,000 miles. I first became aware of these problems at approximately 120,000 miles.”
Filed 08/13/2026 · ODI 11756762
Unknown or other
“I went to honk my horn as someone was backing up and didn’t see me as we were on an incline . This vehicle sits low and they were in a jeep.”
Filed 08/06/2026 · ODI 11755293
Air bags
“The airbag warning light and the ABS warning light turned on simultaneously while driving. This is a severe safety hazard as both critical, life-saving safety features are currently compromised.”
Filed 05/28/2026 · ODI 11740746

Other Kia Rio model years

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2012 Kia Rio recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Kia Rio have?

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign for the 2012 Kia Rio. The most recent, 23V652000 (reported September 25, 2023), concerns service brakes, hydraulic. 1 campaign carries a park-it or park-outside warning. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Kia Rio?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 24 complaints out of 54 filed with NHTSA (44%). Across all complaints, owners reported 3 crashs and 9 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Kia Rio?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

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