2009 Kia Rio keeps stalling

595

Asked by val9upj Jan 07, 2016 at 09:21 AM about the 2009 Kia Rio LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2009 Kia Rio (automatic, ~92k miles) keeps stalling while idling at a red light
and twice while driving (slowing to turn).  I have had the car checked at my
Kia dealership as well as at a local shop.  All diagnostic tests came back
clean with no indication of why it is stalling.  No warning lights come on
either.  Mechanics at both locations have driven the car and it didn't stall for
them at all.  I picked it up yesterday and 15 minutes later, it stalled while I
was sitting at a red light.  When this issue first started a few weeks ago, the
car started right away.  Now it needs a minute or two to start again.  There
have also been a few occurrences where the car will not start immediately
when we first get in.

I asked about fuel filter/pump and mechanics at both shops said they would
not replace anything unless they know the root of the problem.

30 Answers

240

Gosh am having the samr problem with my 06 rio5 ...by any chance did you find a sloution?

24 people found this helpful.
595

Yes! So frustrating! Kia and other garages could not detect the issue without a check engine light. Our light finally went on after about a month of random stalling, and at that point, the car was stalling during literally every trip. It was a nightmare. Check engine light test showed a handful of cylinder misfires and the guilty party-- the crankshaft position sensor. Our local garage replaced it for about $250 and we could tell immediately it was back to its normal driving confition. It's been two months and no further issues.

47 people found this helpful.
170

I've been having the same problem with a 2009 Kia Rio shutting down at stops. It's not showin any check engine lights either. Would u suggest the crankshaft position sensor?

17 people found this helpful.
595

Yes, I would. You could wait for a check engine light to be certain, but like I said, that took almost a month for our car and it was really stressful driving with it stalling more and more frequently. As soon as we got the check engine light, we went to AutoZone for the free diagnostic reading and that was the answer. We had it replaced and our car has been fine ever since.

12 people found this helpful.
370

SOLVED: I had the same problem with my 2009 Kia Rio SX Until one day it wouldn't start at all. Turns out it WAS the fuel pump. when you get in the car and turn the key to the run position (but don't ) start it, you should hear a slight hum for 2 or 3 seconds. That's the fuel pump building up pressure for the start. I noticed and absence of that sound. Replaced the fuel pump myself for about $200. and it was super easy. Kia kept this in mind when they built the car, so all you have to do is remove a 12mm bolt thats between the 2 seatbelt latches on the passenger side (keeps the back of seat mounted) and then there are 2 latches on the bottom of the front of the seat that just left out. There is a plastic cover over the pump that just prys off (it has sticky stuff on the buttom). then there are 2 fuel lines to undo. Squeeze the sides together (colored plastic part) and pull apart. make sure the car has sat for like 30 minutes so theres no fuel pressure in the line otherwise gas sprays out. The electrical connector has a squeeze lock on side. then just lifts straight up (looks like like it might flip open, but it doesn't). Then there are eight 10mm bolts that hold the fuel pump mount on. Take those off, and remove cover. Now the fuel pump lifts right out. Make sure the fuel lines are moved aside so you don't break/crack the plastic fuel line. you might have to rotate the pump a little at the halfway mark to get the fuel gauge float out. Installation is reverse. One thing to note is that the pump has 2 indents on the top that the mounting ring "locks" into when installed. just make sure those are lined up. Also make sure all the hoses are connected before testing anything otherwise gas will go everywhere. Had this job done in less than 30 minutes (not including the 45 minutes spent trying to find a 10mm socket). Car was still under warranty but just bought the pump myself as it wasn't worth Kia taking 2 weeks to try and "figure" out what the problem was while I had no car, and then maybe replacing it under warranty or not. Hope this helps

21 people found this helpful.
200

I am having the same problem in 2008 kia rio lx -- it's a nightmare. I just replaced the entire fuel pump assembly and it stalled on me today. No check engine light yet --- and hesitation in the gas pedal. I have to push the gas pedal when I start it right after I fill up the gas tank. The problem is still occurring. Could it be the crank position sensor ?

20 people found this helpful.
40

I had the same problem with my Rondo 2014. The problem was the key that was not staying properly in straight position. This resulted in my knee sometimes touching the key, turning it to Accessories. When on idle or stopped, if the key goes to Accessories, the engine stops. The key was under warranty and this solved the problem.

4 people found this helpful.
375

I have same problem on my 2008 Kia Rio sedan! This random stalling (and few times turn off when i wanted to slow down on red light and crosswalk) lasting almost a year now!!! No warning lights come on and all diagnostic tests are perfect! Mechanics say that the problem is to electronics, and electricians say that the problem is to the mechanics. In authorized service they don't know anything. I have changed crankshaft sensor and fuel pump but the problem is still here aaaggggrrrrrr! WHAT CAN I DO MORE??? (except to fill it with gasoline and set it on fire)! Please, any advice...

27 people found this helpful.
70

Have a 2012 kia rondo,this stalling shit has got to stop,change cranckshaft position sersor,wasn't the problem.Anyone have any other suggestions.Help please!!!!

7 people found this helpful.
120

My car is doing the same thing as well. Would you be able to help me? it stalling at traffic light, when the engine working idle (Low RPM), and it would not start straight away after 10 min it start normally, I have changed fuel filter and it doesn't helped.

12 people found this helpful.
70

My 2007 kia rio stalls at stops as well. Replaced the fuel pump in the last 6 months. The plug pops up and i have to go under my seat and push it down almost daily now. Thinking about gluing it. It was taped but its been so hot...

7 people found this helpful.
90

I am having same issue and someone told me it could be the purge valve solenoid?.?. Anyone know the actual solution?

9 people found this helpful.
20

My car was having the same issue. Stalling out. Had it checked multiple times with no luck. Finally my engine light came on. Only 1 code came up. Crankshaft position sensor. Had i replaced and 0 issues since then.

2 people found this helpful.
320

I've had my 2010 kia rio for 4 years now. Bought at Goben in Madison, WI. The stalling just started 2 weeks ago... it stalled while I was turning in an intersection, thank goodness I was only on a backroad with low traffic volume. Then it stalled 2 more times while just parked in a parking stall. It stalled on main street in an intersection then! And it did not restart right away this time. So I figured it was time I took it to the auto shop. Of course the engine light only comes on and stays on during the stalling duration. I was dreading taking my vehicle in seeing as how this issue is common with this make and model. No code history came up when he inserted the plug in device... of course. So the car repairman looked in a data base of similar issues and fixes with my make and model. He suggested... crank shaft position sensor. Which is what I would have told him to replace first. He replaced the sensor in day and it costed $170. He did suggest maybe it could be wiring to the sensor as well, which he did not replace. Low and behold... my vehicle has stalled 2 times now again. It stalled for literally 1 second while I was passing at 40 mph on the right, in a 55 mph zone. Took it in to tell my car repairman, and he suggested to fill up my tank since it was just above E at that time. Today it stalled in a drive thru and thank goodness my fiance was with me to push it ahead and wait 10 minutes before it would restart. This is frustrating, annoying, and embarrassing. I'm gonna call my repair shop tomorrow and ask what should be done next. I'm gonna suggest the fuel pump and maybe the wiring to the crankshaft position sensor. This vehicle has had spark plug coil issues. The original 3rd coil, which all were replaced one year ago by my father, was melted on the bottom! (You can get all 4 coils on Ebay for roughly $40 by the way!) This is also a common issue with the kia rios... I did just look at my coils, but not the spark plugs, and none are melted. I do also need my timing belt replaced as it is now at 120,000 miles and still the original! Any suggestions on what to do next, feel free. I'm glad I'm not the only one with these problems but this is really an unsafe vehicle, especially when at stop lights!

8 people found this helpful.
375

I changed everything at 100.000 km now I am at 115 000 km. All belts, oil, filters, pumps... I still have a problem when my AC is on and when the car needs more power! So it is very possible that the spark plug are a problem, I will see to replace them too in a next few days. In authorized service they told me that they can't do anything when all tests are great. I'll write here if there are any changes after I change spark plug.

3 people found this helpful.
320

My mechanic is going to change my crank shaft position sensor...which I thought is what he replaced last week. Nope. He replaced the cam shaft sensor last week. I will update this post to see if this actually fixes the stalling issue... last night my car stalled, acted like it was braking while driving and the battery and oil light was on...the engine light never came on...? It also has been stalling for not even a second, while driving, and still drives but the rpm gauge stays at 0! So I am thinking a spark plug issue or electrical issue. Not good.

11 people found this helpful.
320

Once my mechanic changed the crank shaft position sensor, my 2010 kia rio is working just fine!!! Still don't understand why no codes came up in my system though.

11 people found this helpful.
375

After more than 1 year - solution! Simple "gas regulator", it cost 80 euro new. Now I don't have any problems with torque or stalling while idling at a red light or slowing to turn.

7 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2011 Kia Rio with the same issues stalling and not wanting to go sometimes when pushing the gas pedal. It was my crankshaft sensor. The dealer replaced it and no more problems.

6 people found this helpful.
230

I had the same problem Kia Rio 2013 randomly not starting and then shut off while driving. I took it to the dealership first time they replaced the knock sensor, that didn't work. Second time they replaced the crank shaft sensor. Wish me luck so far so good!

3 people found this helpful.
80

**Rollerderbychic** After 8 years of not having to do anything to my 2011, yesterday it left me stranded at my grocery store....when my fiance came to help me,finally turned my car on,drove it home and after that.....my car didn't turn on...after reading a few notes from everyone (-thank you everyone for the suggestions ) We replaced the fuel pump ourselves. The car stays on but now it's stalling when I make turns......ugh,we went and replaced the crankshaft position sensor and it's running great but it's still stalling. I don't have check engine light on,but I will take it to have codes read, JUST IN CASE.......today will be the day to drive around with driving kids to school,AND running errands... FUNNY MAN my fiance said ,TRY NOT TO make TURNS ,that's impossible! So far,I've read issues with "the stalling part",but no answers.... We've replaced the fuel pump and strainer ONLY....not the assembly kit which was like $85 and after that it was the crankshaft position sensor for $55.... My female mechanic said to check my relays in my fuse box. ... There's 5 relays that fit exactly with each other....so I'll switch the horn relay with my fuel pump relay and go from there........ Ugh,I wish everyone good luck with your car issues.... Maybe I'll just the it to my church and have it blessed. .. Anything is possible right......... (sighs)....

8 people found this helpful.
40

have a 2010 kia soul bought it used ran like a champ 400+ miles then started the stalling while driving then won't turn back on till maybe 20 min then does restart. I took off grounds and scraped off paint, took off idle control valve and cleaned it lots of carbon like black stuff in it ran a bit better but still stalls and won't restart. Praying does help neighbor suggested dial a prayer i just spoke the word thanked God for nothing missing nothing broken started right up. Seems like some sensor makes it think I am stealing it and it immobilizes itself. Have not tried the crankshaft position sensor yet. checked all fused there are 3 ecu fuses 2 were missing but there are no contacts and the fuses i put in just sit in there nothin g to hold or make contact with...Is this normal the dealers are no help and despite litterally hundreds of complaint posts online seem oblivious to this issue. I get to meet nice people who push me out of bank drive thrus, intersections, into parking lots ask if I need help on interstate off ramps and other places it stalls out. Some times on the highway it bucks like it got choked of fuel either it keeps going or soon after stalls out. the key wont restart it but i have popped the clutch a few times and it restarted othertimes this does not work. i have taken the key fob apart and changed the battery and looked at the antenna coil in itlooked fine, it seems some folks replaced their antenna coil and that helped fix their similar issue. When I try to restart the car it cranks but doesnt fire. Like no fuel. Can hear fuel pump when i turn key and see fuel gauge jump so pump seems to be working. some days i get in and drive over an hour and a half no issues, other days it goes a few miles and shuts off. if I stop somewhere it usually wont restart. So far prayer works best. then letting it sit 20 min. I ran a 3 bottles of gummout fuel injector cleaner thru it with 4 gal fuel each time seemed to run a bit better but did not correct issue. It doesnt stall our after hitting a bump or any similiar event it just stalls out, usually when slowing down at lights or pulling out of parking lots. Idle seems surgy 1500-1700. back and forth between the two hence cleaning the idle control valve, Ran higher rpm about half a day at 1800ish idle then back to 1500-1700 surging today. i have logged well over 10 hours reading about issues and fixes and non-fixes but the problem seems common on souls, rios, sedonas and hyundai santa fe hundreds of posts.about similar issues. some crank some click. . Whoever finds the fix for this is going to be a blessing to countless kia owners. The soul when it doesnt shut off is awesome and drives nice and gets great 32-35 mpg the stalling is unsettling, I like adventure, jump off bridges, rock climb, ski off cliffs, fix rotten buildings, but driving to work or home is a bit much. Thanks in advance for helping to fix this issue.

4 people found this helpful.
100

My 2013 Kia Rio just stalled out in the chick fil a drive thru while at idle and started right back up. Over the last couple months I’ve been having issues starting the car but it would start after a second crank. No check engine light or anything. Had the spark plugs and battery replace, still having issues.

30

I have had similar issues with my 2002 Kia rio. The engine surges after starting and stalls repeatedly when driving slow. I have had to replace the ignition coil twice in the past two years. It runs great at 60+mph but stalls in traffic or parking lots. I personally think the ignition coils might be faulty. It can great for six months and is now stalling again. Otherwise this has been a great car with few repairs! Good luck to all with this issue.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Ok I have a different type of solution. Try filling your tank with 98 octane fuel. Lots of cars tolerate 91 octane but are far happier on 98 octane. Two of my vehicles had similar issues and now run great my 1978 Chev truck and my 2006 Commodore Ute. It may take 4 tanks of 98 octane. There are a few really informative YouTube clips. I wish I had tried this with my old Chev long ago because back in the 1970s the truck would have run on “super”. You will never know unless you give it ago! Rusty

1 people found this helpful.

Having the same difficulty myself. Car runs well, but will intermittently stall while the car is in drive and the motor is idling (for example, a drive through). Not sure if this is the same issue, but the car seems to run a bit rich as well. Formerly at 100 km/h, the car would run at about 2000 rpm. Now, at 100 km/h, the car runs at 2500 rpm.. Car does not shake. Power steering has a minor creak. Suggestions

100

Forgot I posted here but it’s been 6 months since the last issue. I replaced the crank shaft sensor and I haven’t had an issue since. Maybe everyone else is having the same problem. Did some research and took it to the dealership and confirmed it was the crankshaft sensor that was causing the issue. Bought the sensor at o’Reillys auto parts for just under $100 and replaced it in about 10 minutes. Don’t and I mean DONT take it to the dealership. They tried to charge me $450 for a 10 minute job that consists of one bolt and two clips ( if you have a 2013 model). The fix is so easy that a friend and myself got the job done in my garage

5 people found this helpful.
70

I'm having the same issue with a 2009 Kia Rio at 92,000 miles. It starts up fine but will stall when I stop at an intersection or leave it idling for a bit in park. I replaced the fuel pump, and after a week I started having the same problem again. I will try replacing the crankshaft position sensor next.

3 people found this helpful.

Kia Rio 2011 issue: 1. Low rpm at 500 only when engine is already hot but during 1st start when engine is cold at 1,100 rpm. 2. Tried to drive low rpm at 500 only, the automatic transmission only engage for 1st and 2nd gear only. We already replaced spark plugs, crank shaft sensor and clean throttle but still the same issue. Any suggestions?

70

I solved this problem by replacing the crankshaft position sensor. I first tried replacing the fuel pump, but after about a week it starting stalling at every light again. Once it stalled, I would have to wait a while, sometimes an hour or more before it started again. I bought the sensor for about $40 from Napa. It fixed the problem instantly. My car hasn't stalled since.

4 people found this helpful.

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