KiaRio2017Overview/kia/rio/2017/base/

2017 Kia Rio

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Rio.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2017 Kia Rio is a passenger car equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission (S6) and requires 3.8 quarts of 5W-20 API oil for service, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined according to its manufacturer specifications; this model year recorded 31 total owner complaints with the Engine area representing the top concern, alongside 2 recalls issued, which positions it within a complaint range spanning from 3 (in 2000) to 227 (in 2001) across the model's history from 2000 to 2023—a span that suggests the 2017 Rio falls well below the historical complaint average and indicates relatively stronger owner satisfaction compared to earlier model years that experienced notably higher complaint volumes.

Model year202320222021202020192018201720162015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-79 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/36/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI W/ISG: 48 · W/ISG: 760 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI W/ISG: 48 · W/ISG: 760 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.7 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2493 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 36 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume88 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Rio of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2012 LX 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.20 sec16.60 sec138 hpFWD
2013SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.20 sec16.50 sec138 hpFWD
2012LX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-47.90 sec16.40 sec138 hpFWD
2012EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-48.90 sec16.70 sec138 hpFWD
2012EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.00 sec16.90 sec138 hpFWD
2012SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec138 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.8 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-79 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.7
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity5.6
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.8 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)28.9-36.2 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)13.7-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-79 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts19.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.3-32.6 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)630 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)670 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.039 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.98-1.09 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.72-4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberW/ISG: 48
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceW/ISG: 760 cca
Optional BCI Group NumberW/O ISG: 121R

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70
Engine Compression156-178 PSI. 14 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque8.5
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 4 stages
1M6 Bolts52 in
2M6 Bolts104–112 in
3M8 Bolts84 in
414.0-17.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply a 2.0-3.0mm patch of RTV or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket on both sides. Cylinder head must be assembled within 5 minutes of applying sealant.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5.8-7.22.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Kia Rio sits near the bottom of a post-2013 downward trend in owner complaints, logging 31 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation, and 65 TSBs. This represents a sharp drop from 2016's 77 complaints and aligns closely with 2018's 27 complaints, suggesting the model line moved past the 2012–2016 turbulence that peaked at 153 complaints in 2013. Within the 2017 record, engine (7) and hydraulic service brake (6) complaints lead, while 6 fire complaints and 3 crash complaints are recorded; the data does not specify root causes for these incidents. Recalls remain at 2 for 2017, matching 2016 but exceeding the single recalls seen in 2018–2020, and TSBs continue a steady generational decline from the triple-digit levels of 2012–2014. Overall, 2017 marks a clear inflection point where complaint volume normalizes to low levels comparable to the calm 2009–2011 period, though the 2 recalls and fire-related complaints still warrant a pre-purchase recall check and inspection. For a used-car buyer, 2017 is a comparatively good year to buy within this generation, provided all open recalls are resolved and the brake and engine systems are checked by a mechanic.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Unknown Or Other5
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Air Bags2
Service Brakes,Engine1
Electrical System1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V594000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:LatchReported 24/08/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Rio, 2016-2018 Optima, 2017-2018 Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The trunk latch base may crack, preventing the opening of the trunk from the… Remedy: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base subassembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 19, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 25/09/2023

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2311_TSB_R42026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
CS2312_TSB_R22026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R12026-02-18StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2311_OWNR_PC2012025-12-19StructureCUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…
TSB_CS23122025-12-17StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Rio. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Rio take?

3.8 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Rio have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Rio get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg.