KNOWN FAULTS · Kia

Known faults for the Kia Rio (III).

2011–2017 · Petrol / Diesel

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.2 / 1.4 (Petrol)

Applies if: Only the 1.4 CVVT petrol.

Timing chain on the 1.4 and 1.6 Gamma petrol enginesTiming system

Engine / equipment: 1.4 and 1.6 CVVT (Gamma): Hyundai i30, i20 and ix20; Kia Cee'd, Venga, Soul and Rio
Period mentioned: Approx. 2006–2013
Symptoms: Chain rattle on cold start or under load, engine warning light and, in the worst case, the chain jumping with serious engine damage.
Possible cause described: The ADAC lists the timing chain as a typical defect of the i30 I and Cee'd I (especially 2009–2010 model years); on the Rio III the 1.4 CVVT could stretch its chain early. The wrong oil or late changes make it worse.
Check for the garage: Listen on a cold start; read the camshaft–crankshaft correlation codes; replace chain, tensioner and guides if it rattles; keep to the oil-change intervals.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.2 / 1.4 (Petrol) · 1.1 / 1.4 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

1.4 CVVT chain, manual gearbox and campaigns on the Rio IIIKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Kia Rio III (petrol and diesel)
Period mentioned: 2011–2017
Symptoms: A 1.4 CVVT chain that stretches early (knocking when cold or on load changes); a cracking 1.1 CRDi silencer; 1st or 3rd that will not engage and a clutch that gets heavy; central locking that does not lock every door; at the roadworthiness test, suspension, joints, lights and brakes; spark plugs (2012 and 2014).
Possible cause described: Recall (KBA): an airbag module with manufacturing deviations (warning light and possible failure in a crash) on cars from the 2016 model year; the software is updated or the module replaced.
Check for the garage: Listen to the chain when cold (1.4); check the airbag campaign by VIN; test every gear.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.1 / 1.4 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: U-family CRDi diesel; the specific points were documented on other models with the same engine.

Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and KiaInjection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 CRDi diesels (U family): Rio, Venga, Soul, Stonic, Cee'd, Carens, Optima, i20, ix20, i30, i40, ix35, Tucson, Accent, Matrix
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005 onwards
Symptoms: At high mileage or with short trips: carbon in injectors and EGR, a clogged particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel and turbo; isolated cases of a stretched chain (1.7) and cracked heads (early 1.6); a clutch that wears early; on some cars, a cracked silencer (1.1) or the brake-servo vacuum pump (1.7 campaign).
Possible cause described: German guides rate these engines as robust if maintained: the faults are the typical wear of a modern diesel. Specific points: a stretched chain on some 1.7s (ix35), cracked heads cited by the TÜV on the i30 I, the 1.1 silencer (Rio III), diesel clutches at 60,000–100,000 km (Cee'd I) and a recall of the 1.7 CRDi vacuum pump (5/10/2010–30/4/2011).
Check for the garage: Drive long trips to regenerate the filter; listen to the chain when cold; test injectors and EGR; check the vacuum-pump campaign by VIN on the 1.7.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.