Power and acceleration problems
Top problems
Stalls when accelerating 
Solved
Kia Rio 2001 34000 miles
My car has no starting problems but, when accelerating it, it does but suddenly chokes and revolutions drop till it stalls. Even though I acclerate so that it does not stall, it does not respond.
CommentPower loss and acceleration failure
Kia Rio 2004 130000 miles
When trying to overtake a car, the engine is heard to be at high revolutions but still, it does not advance properly. When driving along an uphill road, the vehicle loses power and, if it is a prolonged road, the temperature raises considerably. Can anyone help me please? Thanks.
14 reports
It seems to be a clutch failure. It might be that the rear oil seal from the crankshaft is damaged and full of oil.
CommentEngine tick
Kia Rio 2004 Hatchback 230 miles
In the morning i start my car, no problems. I idle for a minute before i drive off. Then 1/2 a km down the road a ticking noise is heard from my engine. Some days its louder than others and occasionally it wont make a noise at all. Once im up to speed (60km/hr) i will depress the clutch and let the car engine come to an idle while coasting. More often than not once the car hits idle revs it shuts up but sometimes it doesnt. If it doesnt a little further down the road the noise will generally shut up by its self anyway. Any ideas
8 reports
There's a possibility the oil pressure is low, lifters will make a ticking sound when this occurs. From my experience and others from what I've read these engines are notorious for sludge build up inside the engine due to perhaps low quality oils or neglect by not servicing. If caught early you may be able to overcome this with flush or two of the oil in the hope of cleaning oil pump/pick up in the sump along with galleries that oil travels up through to lube up top.
Thankyou for your reply and answer. My car is due for a service so when i book it in i will enquire about what you have told me to the mechanic
CommentMy Kia Rio starts and runs very easily when it's cold, but if the car' Solved
Kia Rio 2001 15000 miles
My Kia Rio starts and runs very easily when it's cold, but if the car's engine is hot, it starts and revs up for a few seconds, then runs smoothly.
1 report
Best answer (according to Kian)
I changed the spark plugs in the car, but the problem still didn't go away.
Comment7 reports
I have the same problem. Did you find the solution Thabang?
It can be the speed sensor located in the gearbox
Comment2013 kia rio
Kia Rio 2013 227000 miles
Change the oil yesterday started the car heard a pecking turned it off turned it back on pecking went away went down the road lost power idles fine but when you give it gas it sputters has no power drives real slow
5 reports
I'm having the same problem how do I solve this issue?
My problem was the Cadillac converter but my car is still making a pecking noise kind of sounds like a Cavaliers I think it's the timing chain I heard they had a recall on some 2013 Motors where they was changing them out because of the timing chain I'm looking into it
Ian's Garage from Australia 8 years ago
Did you find the problem? Has your car become a Cadillac yet? Definately sounds like the converter is faulty.
CommentNo flow of bonielectricity in tension wire for ignition 1
Kia Rio 2014 Kia Rio ub 87000 miles
When switching to ac the rpm starting to up and down
2 reports
CommentFailure to accelerate
Kia Rio 2014 Hatchback 22220 miles
My kia rio lost power cannot accelerate tham it used to, after I changed cable links. Also my air-conditioner not working well.
7 reports
Josh Stroude from United States 4 years ago
No power, No acceleration. Feels like trans is slipping. Need advice please!
My car speed stops at 100km/hr that is when the rev count reaches level 3. When i accelerate further and when the rev starts to go beyond level 3 the speed cuts and my car jerks.
CommentMy car loses power when accelerating
Kia Rio 2012 280000 miles
My car loses power when accelerating, and there is a rattling noise on the driver's side of the engine
7 reports
Overheating + liquid leak
Kia Rio 2014 hatchback 124275 miles
I have a Kia Rio 1.1 diesel 2014, I accidentally revved it up to 5000 rpm, then I turned off the car, got out and something light yellow leaked a little onto the ground, opened the hood and it splashed on the hood. If you look at the hood of the car from the street, most of it is wet on the right side
2 reports
The level of motor oil has down
Kia Rio 2017 Hatchback manual 77000 miles
The level of the motor oil has down, I check for possible engine oil leaks but I couldn’t find anything, usually I notice that oil level is down when I drive on high rpm.
My car has a GDI motor
El nivel de aceite del motor baja, no mucho ni de manera drástica, pero si he notado que el nivel baja muy lentamente revisé posibles fugas de aceite del motor pero no pude encontrar nada, normalmente noto que el nivel de aceite baja cuando conduzco a altas revoluciones.
Mi carro es motor GDL
My car has a GDI motor
El nivel de aceite del motor baja, no mucho ni de manera drástica, pero si he notado que el nivel baja muy lentamente revisé posibles fugas de aceite del motor pero no pude encontrar nada, normalmente noto que el nivel de aceite baja cuando conduzco a altas revoluciones.
Mi carro es motor GDL
4 reports
Kia, Rio, 2012
Kia Rio 2012 Hatch 200000 miles
The car fuel consumption is high, it was in a flood , a few years ago. Whilst driving, the car will just surge, like a power dip. If I lift my foot slightly, it loses power. No codes, no fault codes. All sensors are new, filters are new. Up hill I have to accelerate higher, the eco green goes out easily. The things I didnt check yet, is the CAT and gear box( automatic). Your advice will be appreciated.
14 reports
Rough idle and cut out/stalls at times from high revs to clutch in.
Kia Rio 2013 hatchback / 1.3L / manual / tech 53000 miles
The car has had a service but the problem still persists.
---The symptoms---
1. Rough idling at rest. Rev pin would fluctuate 100-200 RPM. After service that is no longer an issue but the even though the pin is not fluctuating you can feel the engine isn't smooth.
2. When driving doing 2500+ RPM and then putting in the clutch and no longer on the accelerator/gas, the pin as per usual goes down but at times it doesn't recover fast enough, goes below 500 RPM and cuts out. 2.1* Engine doesn't cut out on idle, only from a high RPM to the "clutch in" + "no gas".
3. Before the service car wo… Read complete
6 reports
Transmission will not go into gear
Kia Rio 2005 Engine 118000 miles
2005 Kia Rio
Original problem: after hearing to operating temperature vehicle will not accelerate no engine power or rpms, pull over put into park engine would rev up, put back into gear no rmps. Actions: removed MAF Sensor cleaned with MAF cleaner crc , cleaned throttle body, removed IAC Sensor cleaned with throttle cleaner crc brand. Inspect spark plugs all are good and gap correct.
Engine performance is better and has no miss or stall. Went to put into drive and the dash D ILLUMINATED icon light does not come on now, car will go into P,R,1,2 but not D . drive 2 city blocks to get fuel a… Read complete
8 reports
Problems with a Rio? Share them
1. Turn all the ignition switch but do not start the car.
2. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery for five minutes.
3. Connect the terminal back and turn the switch to the off position.
4. Start the car for 10 minutes until it reads the valve code again.
You need to let this vehicle warm up every day for more than five minutes and do not replace any throttle body part if the pieces are not the original ones. Never move the screw that is next to the accelerator spring.
Other possible causes are: a vacuum leak in the intake manifold, dirty throttle body or damaged MAF sensor. Check them as well and, if the failure persists, check each relay and verify that the contacts, oxygen and air sensors are cleaned, and that there is no humidity in your vehicle. Finally, you can check the chain's tension. Hope my comments help you solve the problem.