2006 Kia Rio Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Kia Rio, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags5059.5%
- Engine89.5%
- Steering44.8%
- Body & structure33.6%
- Brakes33.6%
- Fuel system33.6%
- Electrical33.6%
- Transmission22.4%
- Interior & seats11.2%
- Exterior lighting11.2%
- Other / unspecified11.2%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Driver assistance11.2%
- Suspension11.2%
- Tires & wheels11.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
srs light turned on and is illuminated when starting and driving the vehicle.
I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE I RENEDED TWO CARS. MY AIR BAG SID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HYDROPLANE ON WET ROADS GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,304.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE BELT TENSIONER BENT AND CAUSED THE BELT TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE BELL RING AND IT STAY ON I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS IN THE DOOR THE RIGHT TURN OR STEER WHEEL COLUMN. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY KIA RIO. I KNEW THERE WAS A STOP APPROACHING. I HIT THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRAFFIC THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I HIT A YUKON AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
This man purposely rammed my car. He saw me in the lane but came over anyway and hit my car.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRONT CRADLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TAYLOR KIA LOCATED AT 7870 MARKET ST. YOUNGSTOWN OH 44512, TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED DEALER HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM THE CONSUMER SINCE FRAME IS RUSTED.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
BRAKE LIGHTS IN REAR CAME ON DURING DRIVING AND REMAINED ON. AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND REPLACEMENT OF THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WHICH DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE, AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION THE PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH HAS A "BUTTON" WHICH WHEN DEPRESSED INTERRUPTS THE FLOW OF ELECTRICITY, THERE IS AN "EAR" ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WHEN YOUR LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSES THE SWITCH BUTTON AND CUTS THE CURRENT. THE PROBLEM IS THE BUTTON ON THE SWITCH IS AROUND 1/16 IN DIAMETER, AND FOR SOME STRANGE REASON KIA DRILLED A 1/4" HOLE ON THE "EAR" OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHIN 1/16 OF AN INCH WHERE THE SWITCH BUTTON CONTACTS THE EAR, WHICH ALLOWS ONLY 1/16 OF A INCH OF THE EAR TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL, WHICH IN THIS CASE WITH MY CAR WITH 50 THOUSAND MILES, ALLOWED THE BUTTON OF THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH TO ENTER THE HOLE IN THE EAR ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOT DEPRESS THE BUTTON ON THE SWITCH, WHICH THEN ALLOWED THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO CONSTANTLY BURN. I SUSPECT THAT NORMAL WEAR OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BUSHING ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN, THE STRANGE THING IS THERE IS NO REASON FOR HOLE TO BE IN THE CONTACT AREA WHERE THE EAR AND THE SWITCH BUTTON MEET. AND WITH ONLY A MINOR AMOUNT OF THE SWITCH BUTTON MAKING CONTACT AND THE REST OVER THE HOLE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL "EAR" IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THIS WOULD BE THE RESULT. I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, AND NOTICED THE SWITCH FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL WHICH REQUIRES THE CLUTCH BE DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO START THE ENGINE, IT WAS SET UP WITH A HOLE VERY CLOSE TO WHERE THE SWITCH BUTTON MAKES CONTACT. THE ABOVE HAPPENED WHILE WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK.
I WAS DRIVING MY KIA RIO. I KNEW THERE WAS A STOP APPROACHING. I HIT THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND WHEN I TRIED TO TURN AWAY FROM TRAFFIC THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I HIT A YUKON AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE AIRBAGS NEVER CAME OUT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AFTER DISCONECTING THE BATTERY. SHOWS TO BE A FUEL EMISSION PROBLEM ACCORDING TO A LOCAL PARTS STORE. HAS BEEN CHECKED TWICE BY THE DEALER AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL UPON DECELERATING AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. TYPICALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE ABNORMALLY WHEN IN FIFTH GEAR WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-60 MPH. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE FUEL PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANAGER OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,997.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. THEN WHEN I GO TO GASBUDDY, IT STATES THAT THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THE AIRBAG ON A 2006 KIA RIO THAT WAS MADE FROM FEBRUARY 20TH 2005 TO 2007. HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER SHOWS THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I THINK IT'S MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE'S A RECALL AND MY SENSOR IS ON. IF SOMEONE IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS SENSOR OH, I WILL BE SUING KIA, AND ANYONE ELSE THAT BLATANTLY DISREGARDED MY COMPLAINT
BOUGHT OUR 2006 KIA RIO IN 2010, WE HAVE 70000 MILES ON IT. THE STARTER WENT OUT. THERE IS NO AFTER MARKET STERTER FOR THIS CAR. THE ONE THAT IS SPECIFIED WILL NOT FIT. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND ONE THAT FIT HOWEVER AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A MONTH THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN TURN OVER. *KB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
RESUME EDITING I BOUGHT MY CAR IN '06, BEGINNING MY KIA NIGHTMARE...RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WENT OUT...IN KIA AGREED TO FIX IT UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY...WITH ME PAYING THE LABOR COST OF $1250..BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS NOT A COVERED PART...AFTER AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS AND MY CAR BEING IN THE SHOP FOR NOW 3 WEEKS, I GET A CALL TODAY WITH THE NEWS THAT THEY WILL NOT LONGER HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT WORKING....WHICH WAS WORKED ON BY YOU GEUESSED IT KIA....BACK IN JAN...!! MMMMMM.....I'M NOT A HAPPY CAMPER......KIA HAS ACCESS TO MY REPAIR RECORDS...THEIR MECHANIC CHECKED MY CAR BFORE AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS AND AGREEING TO COVERING AND HONORING THE WARRANTY........!! NOW THEY DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THE AGREE AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE DONE! I CAN NOT HAVE MY CAR UNTIL I PAY THE COST !! O...........REALLY????? IS THIS LEGAL..???? I STILL OWE $1661 IN THIS CAR.....WHAT THE [XXX]!! THIS CAR HAS COST ME UPWARDS OF $20,000 AND THE KELLY BBV IS ONLY $2300-$3000 IF I'M LUCKY AND COULD EVEN SELL THE THING!!!! THY AT IS RIDICULOUS!!! I AM MORTIFIED AT THE DISHONESTY OF KIA....I HAVE ORDERED ME A LEMON SHAPE MAGNET WITH THE WORDS (IN RED) "ASK ME ABOUT MY LEMON" "IT IS A KIA DUD!! " WHEN THIS IS OVER I WILL PROUDLY SPORT THESE MAGNETS ,ONE ON EACH SIDE OF MY CAR...FOR THE WORLD TO BE AWARE THAT KIA SELLS LEMONS! I WILL POST ON FB TO WARN MY FRIENDS AND FRIENDS OF MY FRIENDS, I WILL MAKE BUMPER STICKERS AND GIVE THEM TO EVERYONE I SEE UNTIL I AM SATISFIED THAT THE WORD IS OUT AND PEOPLE ARE MADE AWARE THAT KIA IS A DISHONORABLE COMPANY AND WILL NOT MAKE GOOD ON THEIR WORD AND THE FACT THEY OFFER A WARRANTY....ACTUALLY MEANS SQUAT!!.... 6 YEARS I HAVE MADE PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR...I WAS LATE ON ONE PAYMENT...AND NOW...BEING SO CLOSE TO MY PAYOFF....KIA WANTS TO REALLY SCREW ME! $20,000 FOR A CAR THEY NOW REFUSE TO GIVE ME!! I HAVE BEEN RAPED BY KIA!! YOU ARE DISHONORABLE, UNTRUSWORTHY AND JUST DOWN RIGHT CROOKED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDO
PURCHASED A 2006 KIA RIO NEW. ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO OR SO THE "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WOULD BE ON WHEN SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, KIA REPLACED THE SEAT SENSORS, BUT NOTHING ELSE IN THE SYSTEM. A FACTORY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID IT WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM TO THIS DAY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. KIA MAKES A VERY POOR PRODUCT. I HAVE A TRANSMISSION LEAK AND I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT KIA WOULD NOT HONOR THEIR WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERY 30,000 MILES AS THEY RECOMMEND. KIA DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE AND MAKE THEM HONOR THEIR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING REAR SEATS BACK UP INTO POSITION I PUT MY FINGER INTO THE HOLE WHERE THE SEAT LATCHES CAUSING A SEVERE CUT WHICH TOOK 5 STITCHES. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COME AND GO. THEY WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN THEY WILL QUIT AGAIN. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT WITH THE 2006-2007 KIA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG SERVICE>12/26/05 SEATBELT FAULTY, 7/5/06 DRIVER BELT PRETENSIONER RESISTANCE LOW, 7/24/06 SHORTED SEAT BELT, 8/14/06 HARNESS PINCHED BETWEEN SEATBELT ASSY & BDY, 6/11/07, CODE B1448; STABILANT APPLIED TO OCS CONNECTOR, 7/22/09 CONTROL BOX REPLACED AS POTENTIAL MALFUNCTION; AIR BAG LIGHT CAME RIGHT BACK ON; DRIVER SEAT NOW ON ORDER TO BE REPLACED, 8/11/09 RECEIVED CALL SEAT ARRIVED (21 DAYS WITH NO AIR BAG SERVICE, PER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IT WAS LIKE DRIVING AN OLD CAR), 8/17/09 DROPPED OFF AT 8:30AM, NOT EXACT, (SERVICE 8/17 AS THAT IS MY 9/80 WORK SCHEDULE DAY OFF) I RECEIVED PHONE CALL AT 230PM THAT THE WRONG COLOR SEAT WAS RECEIVED, 8/20/09 I RECEIVED PHONE CALL AT 5:01PM THAT CORRECT COLOR SEAT HAD ARRIVED SO I SCHEDULED FOR 8/31/09 (MY NEXT 9/80 WORK SCHEDULE DAY OFF) FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. WITH THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THIS SITE I AM GOING TO CONTACT THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE DONE! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, WARRANTY IS A SAFETY NET JUST IN CASE, NOT SOMETHING TO BE USED TO COVER A LEMON OF A CAR! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOUGHT CAR IN 01-06 STARTED TO GET AN AIR BAG LIGHT ON DRIVER SIDE IN 05-06. FIRST TIME WAS DUE TO MALFUNCTION SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER ORDERED. WENT BACK 06-21 REPLACED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. SECOND TIME ON 07-18 AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINED ON WAS TOLD DUE TO SEAT COVERS. AIRBAG WAS RESET, WAS TOLD NO SEAT COVERS. HI-DESERT KIA SELLS SEAT COVERS FOR 2006 RIO. THIRD TIME 07-06 WAS TOLD AIRBAG SYSTEM CONNECTION WAS KNOCKED LOOSE DUE TO ITEMS UNDER PASSENGER SEAT, DO NOT PUT ITEMS UNDER SEATS. AIR BAG SYSTEM WAS RESET. FOURTH TIME 08-06 WAS TOLD AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. WAITING FOR PART TO ARRIVE 09-06. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: THE CABLE BROKE. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP. THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP AND UP. I WAS GOING 60 IN A 30 MPH ZONE. THE CABLE SHOULD NEVER BRAKE. IT IS NOT A PART THAT WEARS OUT. HAPPY THAT I DID NOT DIE OR CAUSE ANYONE ELSE TO GET HURT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE FRONT CRADLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SUSTAINED SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TAYLOR KIA LOCATED AT 7870 MARKET ST. YOUNGSTOWN OH 44512, TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.*DT CONSUMER STATED DEALER HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM THE CONSUMER SINCE FRAME IS RUSTED.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER OWNING MY BRAND NEW KIA RIO FOR ONLY 2 WEEKS, I EXPERIENCED A TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE FREEWAY. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT INJURED. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO TIRES. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO BOTH KIA AND KUMHO WHO ARE BOTH WHOLLY UNCONCERNED WITH THIS PRODUCT FAILURE. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER 2006 KIA RIO AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS HOT AIR, HEAVY WHITE SMOKE COMES FROM UNDERNEATH HOOD. *TS THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN AFTER THE RADIATOR CAP WAS REPLACED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .