Kia Rio Problems and Repair Histories
Kia Rio problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Kia Rio
Kia Rios for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the Kia Rio problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For Kia Rio problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 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 | |
| 2010 | Kia Rio | 12 Rios, 9.8 months of data per Rio, average 20900 miles Small sample size. Join or 12 Rios, 9.8 months of data per Rio, average 20900 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
see reported repairs | |
| 2009 | Kia Rio | 16 Rios, 8.3 months of data per Rio, average 44200 miles Small sample size. Join or 16 Rios, 8.3 months of data per Rio, average 44200 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
see reported repairs | |
| 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 |
see reported repairs | |
| 2007 | Kia Rio | 13 Rios, 6.8 months of data per Rio, average 59400 miles Small sample size. Join or 13 Rios, 6.8 months of data per Rio, average 59400 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten Kia Rio problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2012 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
138-horsepower 1.6L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Kia Rio5 in South Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2012 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 2300 | 0 | cold water drip on front passenger floorboard near centerline, diagnosed as faulty insulation on condensate line, part ordered. condensate line was rewrapped with insulation |
| Mar | 2013 | 7000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2009 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Rio5 in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 3000 | 0 | Knock sensor needed replacement |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2008 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio5 in Kansas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 6000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 9000 | 0 | The drivers sun visor will not stay in a position to block the sun. It takes multiple attempts to get it to stay even close to a reasonable position, but a bump in the road will cause it to flip back and driver is blinded by the sun Continued problem with the visor |
| Dec | 2010 | 9000 | 0 | continued problem with visor, going to contact corporate 4th replacement of the part and several calls to corporate finally fixed the visor problem |
| Jun | 2011 | 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 4-speed automatic FWD
| 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 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 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. | |
| 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. | ||
2007 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
96-horsepower 1.4L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio in Nigeria | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 31620 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 55180 | 0 | High Pitched Squeaking Brake Pads |
| Jul | 2010 | 55380 | 0 | Brakes still squeaking on rare Tyre,. They said it will quieten after some use. Problem still exists. |
| Dec | 2010 | 63860 | 80 | Rattle in the suspension system. Link Assembly Stabilizer and Bush Stabilizer Bar replaced both LH & RH. |
| Jun | 2011 | 70060 | 0 | Cleaned the brake pads, but started screecing the following day |
| Apr | 2012 | 79360 | 0 | A/C cooling lightly on driver side but not on the passenger side |
| Mar | 2013 | 90520 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2007 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio in Vermont, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2007 | 0 | Check engine light came on. The car was brought to the dealer and they found that there was moisture in a O2 sensor. It was cold out at the time and think it could have come from that. No issues since then. | |
| Kia Rio in Vermont, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2008 | 16000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 21000 | 0 | Coil replaced |
| Apr | 2010 | 21000 | 0 | Ignition coil failed. |
| Apr | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Rio in Iowa, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 7000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 35000 | 0 | Safety recall on passenger side. Dealer fixed for free under recall. Didn't solve the problem. Still not fixed. |
| Mar | 2013 | 38000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Kia Rio in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 29000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 30000 | 0 | Blower motor for AC went out & had to be replaced. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2006 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Rio5 in Czech Republic | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2008 | 1 | Broken bulb in front position lamp - bulb W5W, 12V, 5W | |
2006 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Rio in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2006 | 0 | Passenger-side, central dash air vent vanes broken. Dealer replaced vent. | |
| Sep | 2006 | 0 | Power Door-lock relay died. Dealer replaced (after waiting 2 months for relay to be ordered and delivered) | |
2006 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
110-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 65000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 194 | Replaced battery | |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Kia Rio in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2007 | 0 | passenger seat air bag sensor failed causing air bag light to come on. recalled items:Radiator cap and fuse box cover replaced. | |
| Sep | 2007 | 0 | Steering Shaft bushing | |
| Kia Rio in Montana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2011 | 36000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2012 | 40000 | 300 | Car was hard to start after filling up. Replaced purge valve. Engine light still coming on. Possible problem with canister. Had evap canister replaced still light comes on and months goes off. Mechanic said it may be the comupter. |
| Sep | 2012 | 42000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2003 Kia Rio5 4dr Hatch
104-horsepower 1.6L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Kia Rio5 in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2006 | 0 | Manual transmission was replaced under warranty. | |
| Oct | 2009 | 150 | Power lock fuse was blowing all the time. An actuator had to be replaced. | |
2003 Kia Rio 4dr Sedan
104-horsepower 1.6L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Kia Rio in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2007 | 75 | Replace handle on driver's side door. Had to pay for paint only. | |
| Kia Rio in Oklahoma, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2007 | 2500 | Transmission failure, company failed to tell us that we were in a severe use area, and that our driving habits were not the maintenance schedule to follow. So since we didn't change the transmission filter and fluid at 30,000 miles they will not warranty | |
Expert Kia Rio Repair Advice
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