2008 Kia Rio Problems and Repair Histories
2008 Kia Rio problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2008 Kia Rio problems
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Kia Rio
2008 Kia Rios for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2008 Kia Rio problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2008 Kia Rio problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2008 Kia Rio problems and repair histories that follow it.
Kia Rio Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2008 | Kia Rio | 20 Rios, 9.5 months of data per Rio, average 56200 miles Small sample size. Join or 20 Rios, 9.5 months of data per Rio, average 56200 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 2008 Kia Rio problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2008 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio5 in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2012 | 15000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2012 | 15700 | 100 | Original battery died after 4 years, 4 months of ownership. All other systems good. |
| Dec | 2012 | 16000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio5 in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 12400 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 13020 | 0 | overdrive switch |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2008 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Rio in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 12000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2011 | 32700 | 0 | CEL code P0496 high purge flow. Purge valve replaced under warranty. |
| Aug | 2012 | 50700 | 40 | Excessive brake noise. Powder/dust build up removed. |
| Dec | 2012 | 52000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2008 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 36000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 36000 | 0 | Wheel bearing grinding. It was fixed in 2 trips to the dealer. |
| Dec | 2011 | 44000 | 0 | Ignition coil replaced due to engine misfire. |
| Nov | 2012 | 55000 | 200 | Drivers side ball joint worn to the point of almost coming out. I advised dealer of problem in the past but they stated nothing was wrong. Independent shop showed me the the problem and fixed it right the first time. |
| Mar | 2013 | 57000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio in Nevada, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 19000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 31000 | 0 | Car has been lightly shaking at high speeds (70+ MPH). Dealer suggested it might be the tires. Will replace tires in June and see if that resolves the problem. |
| Sep | 2009 | 39000 | 0 | TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) light came on, indicating that a sensor wasn't reporting in. Dealer cleared the sensor. I noticed there was oil covering the top of the #3 plug. When I pulled it out, there was oil on the plug tip, though it looked fresh. Dealer examined it, found no internal source - suspect oil overflow during oil change. |
| Nov | 2009 | 47000 | 0 | Transaxle began to slip when shifting between Park and Reverse. Took the car into the shop - turns out there was a leak in a gasket at the top of the transaxle, which was leaking transmission fluid. Dealer replaced transaxle - covered by warranty. |
| Apr | 2010 | 54000 | 65 | Routine timing belt and timing belt tensioner replacement. Replaced accessory belts while I was there. Took two hours to complete, no issues. |
| Aug | 2010 | 66000 | 40 | Attempted replacement of fuel filter - discovered the plastic fuel pump assembly had warped slightly, preventing new fuel filter from being installed correctly. Will replace fuel pump assembly ($220) at a later date. |
| Aug | 2012 | 121000 | 1000 | Replaced timing belt, water pump, coolant hoses, and accessory belts for maintenance purposes. Timing belt was due, no guidance given on water pump but online forums suggested 120,000 miles. |
| Mar | 2013 | 135000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 39000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 40000 | 19900 | Engine light on, required spark plugs, problem was resolved. |
| Kia Rio in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2009 | 28000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 62000 | 0 | Harsh Shifting & rough idle that was improved by the AT software update. |
| Mar | 2013 | 123000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 14000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 15000 | 0 | Transmission was slipping which happened at no specific time hot or cold. The outside molding was crumbling around all windows. Front end was vibrating - was told that was normal for kia rios. |
| Nov | 2010 | 23500 | 0 | alternator went out had to be replaced |
| Jan | 2011 | 25000 | 0 | knocking noise when turning steering wheel, right strut replaced Had front strut replaced. Next day car ran worse. They didnt replace both struts @same time, or chose not to. Now left strut needs replacing. Ordered. |
| Apr | 2012 | 38000 | 0 | Replaced left strut that royal kia had said they had replaced. Trunk lightswitch had a short light switch ordered and replaced When using air condition it would turn off intermittently then come back on. |
| Jun | 2012 | 38000 | 0 | Sluggish with hot weather Air would fade in and out cool then run slow and warmer |
| Mar | 2013 | 45000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2008 | 17980 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2008 | 18600 | 0 | Check engine light came on. Vehicle went into limp mode, ran rough with low power. Drove approx 5km to dealer. Checked codes right away, no wait. Found problem to be coil for #2 sparkplug was dead. None in stock, so they robbed a showroom car - very fast. |
| Apr | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Rio in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2008 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2009 | 14000 | 0 | Keyless remote will not work at times. Could not replicate. |
| Mar | 2011 | 27000 | 0 | Battery when dead and hood latch cable broke could not open hood to jump |
| Mar | 2013 | 39000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2008 Kia Rio Repair Advice
Non-members can see only ten 2008 Kia Rio problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
