2007 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 2007 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
- Airbags2135.0%
- Brakes915.0%
- Electrical813.3%
- Interior & seats58.3%
- Engine35.0%
- Fuel system23.3%
- Steering23.3%
- Tires & wheels23.3%
- Powertrain (other)23.3%
- Visibility11.7%
- Body & structure11.7%
- Exterior lighting11.7%
- Other / unspecified11.7%
- Seat belts11.7%
- Transmission11.7%
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
The contact owns a 2007 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the occupant classification system (OCS) seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V244000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.
2007 KIA RIO HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, WITH A CODE SPECIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHEN CLEARING THE CODE FOR THE AIRBAG, THE CODE IS RETHROWN AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NHTSA RECALL #12V244000 APPLIED TO CERTAIN MODELS OF THE 2005-2007 MODEL ERA, BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, AS THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN SEAT MAT RECALL AND NONE HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE PAST. EVIDENTLY THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY'S FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF THE GEAR SHIFT TO LOCK UP AND NOT BE MOVED OUT OF NEUTRAL. THERE WERE RECALL ON OTHER KIA MAKES OF THE SAME YEAR BUT THE DID NOT INCLUDE THE RIO, HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE KIA RECALL. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I DRIVING UP TO WISCONSIN DELLS FROM ILLINOIS AND THE VIT WOULNT GO OVER TWENTY MILES PER HR I HATE THIS VEHICLE AND A TUNE UP WAS DONE BEFORE I LEFT I HAVE A 2007 KIA RIO AND VEHICLE JUST DIED AND THEN STARTED AND HAD NO POWER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO ILLINOIS WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS 95.600 MILES WAS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. RALLY KIA (438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551, (818) 492-3800) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER (GALPIN KIA, 8425 SEPULVEDA BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343) PROVIDED A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE CONTACT FOLLOWED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2007 KIA RIO HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, WITH A CODE SPECIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHEN CLEARING THE CODE FOR THE AIRBAG, THE CODE IS RETHROWN AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NHTSA RECALL #12V244000 APPLIED TO CERTAIN MODELS OF THE 2005-2007 MODEL ERA, BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, AS THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN SEAT MAT RECALL AND NONE HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE PAST. EVIDENTLY THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
THE 'AIRBAG' DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CUSHION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY A 'VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONDUCTED BY KIA AFFECTING "2006-2008 MY RIO OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT" BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MY KIA RIO MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2007 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM/DIAGNOSIS/FIX IS IDENTICAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
the engine has very bad Loss of oil pressure it consumption of a lot oil the engine knock very bad that engine has decreased its power the engine oil light always on so I stop driving the car and car blows white smoke from the engine my mechanic told he did not want to work on the car because of the engine but I can get a invoice he quoted me 3,000 dollars for a new engine i have not even had this car for long could not even drive it around or get my child to school
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTS THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. SHE ALSO SMELLS GAS, WHICH REMAINS PRESENT AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND CLEANED THE TOP OF THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,267 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
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
I DRIVING UP TO WISCONSIN DELLS FROM ILLINOIS AND THE VIT WOULNT GO OVER TWENTY MILES PER HR I HATE THIS VEHICLE AND A TUNE UP WAS DONE BEFORE I LEFT I HAVE A 2007 KIA RIO AND VEHICLE JUST DIED AND THEN STARTED AND HAD NO POWER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO ILLINOIS WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS 95.600 MILES WAS
ELECTRICAL ISSUES, CONSTANTLY BROKEN AIR CONDITIONER, ENGINE PROBLEMS, SPARK PLUG ISSUES, COIL ISSUES, 3 BATTERIES IN 2 YEARS, LOSS OF POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-47 MPH WHEN THE PAVEMENT IS WET OR DURING A SUDDEN STOP, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILS OR SLIDES. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DOES NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH HER CHILDREN ON BOARD. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,455.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE KIA DEALER HAS PERFORMED FOUR ALIGNMENTS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE FAILURE WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE CHECKED AND NO FAILURES WERE DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 4,080 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA RIO EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: G-FORCE SPORT, TIRE SIZE: 195/55/R15, DOT NUMBER: BELN3P1107-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRES AND FOUND THE TREAD AND STEEL WIRES WERE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE SIX YEARS OLD. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,668.
I PURCHASED TIRES FROM MANTECA TIRES IN MAY OF 2010. THE TIRES WERE YOKOHAMA PRADA TIRES FOR A TOTAL OF 359.80. I HAD THE TIRES BALANCED, ALIGNED AND ROTATED AT REGULAR INTERVALS. THE TIRES FROM DAY ONE WERE MAKING EXTREME NOISE AND I HAD NOTIFIED MANTECA TIRES THAT THE TIRES WERE CAUSING NOISE. THEY SUGGESTED TO ROTATE THEM AND USE THEM FOR A WHILE TO SEE IF THE TIRES CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE. I DID SO AND THEN ALSO TOOK THEM IN LATER TO BE ROTATED AGAIN AND HAD THEM CHECK THE NOISE. THEY STATED THAT I SHOULD LET SOME MORE TIME GO ON THEM AND CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO SEE IF AGAIN THE NOISE WOULD GO AWAY. IT DID NOT AND THE NOISE WAS GETTING WORSE. I DID NOT FEEL THAT THESE WERE SAFE. THEY SAID I SHOULD CONTACT YOKOHAMA, WHICH I DID. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL TIRE COMPANY AND GET IT CHECKED OUT. YOKOHAMA WAS CLAIMING THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY STATED THERE WAS SOME CUPPING. I TOLD THEM HOW CAN THAT BE, WHEN I NEVER HAD THIS ROAD NOISE WITH MY LAST TIRES AND I HAD THESE TIRES ROTATED, ALIGNED AND BALANCED. THEY SAID THEY WOULD OFFER A 25 % DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES. THAT IS NOT HONORING A WARRANTY. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR LATER, A PERSON SHOULD NOT HAVE TO REPLACE TIRES. MANTECA TIRES THEN WHEN ON TO FAX THEM PAPERWORK AND TALK TO THEM, WHICH IT TOOK YOKOHAMA THREE DAYS TO GET BACK WITH THEM AND THEN THEY ONLY OFFERED A 40% DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES. IF I HAVE BALANCED MY TIRES, ROTATED THEM AND DONE EVERYTHING I SHOULD AS A CAR OWNER AND THOSE TIRES ARE STILL MAKING NOISE, THEN IT IS CLEARLY THE FAULT OF THE TIRES. WHAT WOULD MAKE ME BUY YOKOHAMA TIRES AGAIN, EVEN AT A DISCOUNT, WHEN THEY DO NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY THEY OFFERED IN THE FIRST PLACE. THESE ARE OBVIOUSLY FAULTY TIRES AND I AM NOT THE FIRST ONE TO COMPLAIN OF THE EXTREME ROAD NOISE FROM THESE TIRES. IF YOU RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME WITH YOKOHAMA TIRES. THEY TOO, HAVE COMPLAINED OF YOKOHAMA NOT HONORING WARRANTIES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2007 KIA RIO, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT MY CAR LURCH SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESUME BACKING UP MY CAR HAD POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FREQUENTLY, IT DOES HAPPEN I HAVE HAD PEOPLE IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THEY "COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT". *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS, AXLE, AND VELOCITY JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 12,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO HEAT OR AIR, AT FIRST I COULD BUMP THE DASH AND IT WOULD COME ON, BUT NOW NOTHING. PURCHASED A NEW BLOWER MOTOR BUT STILL DOESN'T WORK. SO HAS TO BE BAD WIRES,BECAUSE NOTHING HAS POWER TO IT. I HAVE NO WAY TO DEFROST/UNFOG WINDSHIELD AND HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. *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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY'S FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
I OWN A 2007 KIA RIO AND THE BRAKE LIGHT HAVE JUST GONE OUT. I CHECK THE FUSE AND LIGHT BULBS AND BOTH WERE OK. THE AC/ HEAT SHUT OFF AND THE DOOR WILL NOT ALWAYS UNLOCK. *TR
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 LIGHT DOES NOT GO OUT ALL THE TIME WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSERGER SEAT. *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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES MANY TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. FINALLY, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF HIS VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $5,000 IN DAMAGES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
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
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 AT 70 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE INTO 3RD GEAR. THE SUDDEN SURGE ALMOST SENT ME INTO THE MEDIAN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR UNIT TWICE AND PROBLEM CONTINUES. DEALER KEPT OLD PARTS. *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 .