Kia›Rio›2013›Overview/kia/rio/2013/base/

2013 Kia Rio

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Rio.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2013 Kia Rio is a passenger car equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 31 combined mpg while requiring 3.5 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil for its engine. Its reliability profile is defined by 153 total owner complaints and a single recall, with the engine standing out as the top complaint area. When contextualized within the model's broader complaint history from 2000 to 2023, this model year sits well below the 2001 peak of 227 complaints but significantly above the 2000 low of just three, indicating a moderately problematic generation where engine concerns should be the primary focus for researchers.

Model year2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy28/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 w/ ISG · 760 w/ ISG 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 48 w/ ISG · 760 w/ ISG CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	171.7 in
Overall width	67.7 in
Overall height	57.5 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Curb weight	2482 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	28 / 36 / 31 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	88 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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.

8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2013 SX 5-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2013	SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.20 sec	16.60 sec	138 hp	FWD
2013	SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.20 sec	16.50 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	LX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	7.90 sec	16.40 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	8.90 sec	16.70 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	EX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	9.00 sec	16.90 sec	138 hp	FWD
2012	SX 5-door Hatchback 1.6L I-4	9.50 sec	17.20 sec	138 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 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

Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Oil	5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22-26 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	145-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	.64-.86 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	5015-6785 ohms
Ignition Timing	3, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	.87-.98 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.72-4.38 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	48 w/ ISG
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	760 w/ ISG cca
Optional BCI Group Number	121R w/o ISG

Service checks

Pressure Test	14-19 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	62.0-68.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	1.5 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	156-178 PSI. 14 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	14.5 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH REAR DRUM / WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	36-43 ft-lbs / 58-72 ft-lbs
Wheel Application	15 inch WHEELS / 14 inch WHEELS
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.078 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH REAR DRUM / WITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.394 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.394 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 bolts: Step 1: 52 inch lbs.

2	104-112 inch lbs.; M8 bolts: Step 1: 7 ft. lbs.	104–112 in
2	14-17

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	13-16 ft. lbs.	13–16 ft. lbs
2	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Apply a 2.00-3.00 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

13–16 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

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 2013 Kia Rio sits at the peak of a complaint spike within its generation (2012–2017), with 153 complaints—nearly triple the 52 seen in 2012 and far above the 51 in 2014. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) also hit a generation-high of 133, signaling that dealers were issuing many service advisories for this model year. The top complaint areas—Engine (28), Air Bags (22), and Service Brakes (18)—along with 18 fire complaints and 8 crash complaints, point to multiple safety-related concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. While the 2013 has only one recall, the complaint volume and TSB count are outliers compared to the years immediately before and after, suggesting this year is a trouble spot in the Rio’s lifecycle. **Given the elevated complaint and fire risk, the 2013 Kia Rio is a poor choice; a 2014 or 2015 model offers a much lower complaint count and similar recall history.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

133

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

153

Owner complaints

8 involved a crash · 18 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12’13’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 153 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine28

Air Bags22

Service Brakes, Hydraulic18

Electrical System7

Unknown Or Other7

Steering5

Air Bags,Seat Belts3

Service Brakes3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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 133 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2311_TSB_R4	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_CS2312_R1	2026-02-18	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2311_OWNR_PC201	2025-12-19	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL 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.

Group 48 battery Vehicles taking 3.5 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Rio take?

3.5 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Rio have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Rio get?

EPA figures are 28 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.