Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
21
Latest Jul 7, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
16%
of 128 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
19
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
24
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Kia Rio submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Airbags
Filed Jul 7, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AGGRESSIVELY AND METAL FRAGMENTS STRUCK THE CONTACT'S FACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD LACERATION THAT REQUIRED STITCHES, A BROKEN NOSE, AND A HAND INJURY. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ...UPDATED 7/19/16*BF *JS
NHTSA ID
10883214
Incident
Apr 7, 2012
Airbags
Filed Aug 8, 2008
Crash reported
GOING AT 80KM AN HOUR IN PEAK FRIDAY AFTERNOON TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10237428
Incident
Aug 8, 2008
Mileage
100,070 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 12, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported
OUR KIA RIO WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT'S BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE DIDN'T FIND THIS OUT IN A FASTER COLLISION COSTING SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. *TR
NHTSA ID
10208669
Incident
Nov 5, 2007
Mileage
114,080 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 6, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA RIO ON MY LUNCH BREAK GOING TO MY HOME. A YOUNG LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I WAS GOING AROUND 45 WHEN SHE PULLED OUT. MY CAR HIT HERS IN THE SIDE NEITHER MY AIR BAGS OR SEAT BELT FUNCTIONED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T EVEN DEPLOY MY SEAT BELT ALLOWED ME TO GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD. AS MY BODY WAS THROWN FORWARD THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE MY FEMUR IN 3 PLACES. I FILLED A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA ABOUT THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT THEY CLAIMED THE CAR UNDER ROLLED THE OTHER CAR TO ME THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS PUSHED BACK AND IT WAS FLAT. KIA NEEDS TO HOLD UP THEIR END 2 ITEMS IN THE CAR FOR SAFETY FAILED. SOME PEOPLE ASK DID YOU HAVE YOUR SEAT BELT ON THE ANSWER IS YES I HAD 2 PEOPLE SHOW UP AT THE WRECK AND SAW IT ON ME AND IT BURNED THROUGH 2 SHIRTS I HAD ON AT THE TIME OF THE WRECK. *NM
NHTSA ID
10144595
Incident
Jun 23, 2005
Mileage
65,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Nov 28, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
HIT DEER AT 55 MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK CAUSING HEAD TO HIT STEERING WHEEL AND BOUNCE BACK AND HIT SEAT WHOLE FRONT OF CAR WAS TORE UP. *JB
NHTSA ID
10143771
Incident
Nov 23, 2005
Mileage
53,755 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported
DT:THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN TWO ACCIDENTS. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FIRST ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY OF 2003 WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT DURING THE ACCIDENT. THIS WAS A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE SECOND ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK UPDATED 01/19/06.
NHTSA ID
10141462
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 26, 2005
Crash reported2 injuries reported
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 360 IN GRAND PRAIRIE TEXAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AND AN OTHER VEHICLE WAS CROSSING THE LANES TOWARD HER AND HIT HER VEHICLE AT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE). SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SO WAS THE PASSENGER.THE SEATBELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT WORK AND AIRBAGS ON NEITHER SIDE DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER WENT FORWARD STRIKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUFFERING HEAD AND BODY INJURIES.
NHTSA ID
10130095
Incident
Jul 19, 2005
Mileage
81,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 3, 2005
Crash reported
THE KIA RIO WAS STOPPED BEHIND A MINIVAN WHEN IT WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER MINIVAN TRAVELLING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH BEFORE BRAKING. THE KIA RIO WAS PUSHED INTO THE MINIVAN IN FRONT. THE RIO WAS NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED, HOWEVER, BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. DAMAGE WAS TO THE REAR TRUNK LID AND THE FRONT RIGHT RAIL WAS SLIGHTLY . COMPROMISED. NO LIGHTS WERE BROKEN, NOR WAS THE BUMPER EVEN CRACKED. BOTH THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER AND THE BODY SHOP WERE SURPRISED THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF BASED ON THE DAMAGE (OR OVERALL LACK THEREOF) TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BROKE OTHER PIECES OF AND INSIDE OF THE DASH AS WELL, CAUSING OVER 2/3 OF THE COST OF REPAIR (TOTAL COST WAS AROUND $7000). PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ARE AVAILABLE.*AK
NHTSA ID
10116284
Incident
Dec 16, 2004
Mileage
37,500 mi
AirbagsSeat beltsTransmission
Filed Oct 7, 2004
Crash reported
WHILE DRIVING 10 MP AND TURNING THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION , AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT BELT WAS INOPERATIVE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AGAIN, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SEAT BELT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THEN, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY MRS. SIKAKOY'S DAUGHTER LESLIE SANCHEZ.*AK
NHTSA ID
10095445
Incident
Oct 20, 2003
Airbags
Filed Feb 26, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A REAR ENF COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK *MR
NHTSA ID
10055330
Incident
Jan 8, 2004
AirbagsSteering
Filed Sep 22, 2003
Crash reported1 death reported
VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 46 MPH. UPON IMPACT, PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF, AND THE DRIVER DIED AS A RESULT. *AK CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS HIT HEAD ON WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH BY A TOOTA TACOMA. THE DRIVIER OF THE TACOMA WAS ON DRUGS WHEN CROSSED OVER INTO PATH OF THE RIO. THE DRIVER OF THE RIO EXPERIENCED A SEVERED BRAIN STEM, PUNCTURED LUNG FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND A SEVERED ARM. THE DRIVER OF THE RIO WAS WEARING THE SEAT BELT. DURING THE CRASH THE RIO'S DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE FROM THE MOUNTINGS AND THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF. AFTER THE CRASH THE RIO'S DRIVER WAS FOUND UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE TACOMA WAS BENT IN HALF AND THE TRUCKS BED BROKE OFF FROM THE FRAME. RIO HAS BEEN NOTIFED OF THE CRASH. IT WAS ASSUMED THE DRIVER OF THE TACOMA WAS TRAVALING ATLEAST 45-50 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. CW
NHTSA ID
10040288
Mileage
12,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 4, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *SCC *JB
NHTSA ID
10026798
Incident
Jun 2, 2003
Mileage
8,464 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2003
Crash reported1 injury reported
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH YET THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA ID
10022072
Incident
May 30, 2003
Mileage
14,800 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2003
1 injury reported
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT COLLISION WHILE DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ID
10023644
Incident
Jun 21, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed May 20, 2003
Crash reported3 injuries reported
WHILE DRIVING AT 65/70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. *JB
NHTSA ID
10020205
Incident
May 8, 2003
Mileage
27,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported
VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO, MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, RESULTING IN DASHBOARD PUSHING INTO DRIVER AND PASSENGER. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA ID
10006322
Incident
Dec 6, 2002
Mileage
14,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 31, 2003
Crash reported
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT JAMMED SO TIGHT THAT THE PLASTIC AROUND IT SHATTERED AND PIECES HIT THE DRIVER. AFTER THAT OCCURRED THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ID
10006148
Incident
Jan 6, 2003
Airbags
Filed Jan 27, 2003
Crash reported
WHILE DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF 35MPH WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO ADD.*AK
NHTSA ID
10004734
Incident
Jan 24, 2003
Airbags
Filed Nov 13, 2002
Crash reported
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH HAD AN ACCIDENT HITTING A DEER. AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, NOR SEAT BELTS HOLD THE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION:: MR
NHTSA ID
8022700
Incident
Nov 9, 2002
AirbagsTires & wheels
Filed Sep 27, 2002
Crash reported2 injuries reported
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT WAS REAR ENDED AT A SPEED OF 30-35 MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED THAT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FROM THE FIRST COLLISION, TNE 2ND CRASH OCCURED WHEN THE LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT (NO TIRE INFO WAS GIVEN). *SCC
NHTSA ID
8019725
Incident
Jun 10, 2002
AirbagsTires & wheels
Filed Sep 27, 2002
4 injuries reported
THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT AT 70 MPH. AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT WAS INSTALLED AT 7,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE 165/70R14 AND THE DOT# UNAVAILABLE. *MR THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES WERE OEM SWITCHED BY THE DEALER AT 4132 MILES. THE FIRST SET DEVELOPED LARGE BLISTERS ON THE INSIDE TIRE WALLS. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A BRIDGE WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT, HIT THE GUARDRAIL WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PING ACROSS THE HIGHWAY AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT, THEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED END OVER END SPINNING THE FRONT END THEN ROLLING DOWN THE EMBANKMENT 3 AND HALF TIMES LANDING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SCC
NHTSA ID
8019723
Incident
Jun 10, 2002
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own