RoadVitals

2009 Kia Rio

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
39
Latest Jul 16, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 39 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Kia Rio, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and interior & seats categories. 37 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1734.0%
  • Engine816.0%
  • Interior & seats48.0%
  • Body & structure36.0%
  • Fuel system36.0%
  • Driver assistance24.0%
  • Electrical24.0%
  • Seat belts24.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jul 16, 2022

Engine went out 8 months after there always been electrical issue has caused problems where it wnt accelerate causing a wreck the break light had shorts they didnt even have the radio n i went to a car lot dealership . this car left me in bad situations im just surprised its not recall I barely drive it it paid off after so many years n really only reason I have it cuz I put too much in n it n now it aint worth nuthin because of the issues that gave me

NHTSA ID
11474311
Incident
Jul 16, 2022
Filed Jul 6, 2022

The doors will lock and won't unlock. This happened to the front passenger door when the car was less than a year old and they repaired it. The rear passenger door locked and it won't lock so I don't load items on that side but yesterday, July 5, 2022 I got locked in on my drivers side! I had to exit the vehicle by crawling over the stick shift to the front passenger side. I've seen hundreds of complaints about this and can't understand why there has not been a recall.

NHTSA ID
11472481
Incident
Jul 5, 2022
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jun 30, 2022

My airbag light will not go off for my passenger side!!! I think it is absolutely ridiculous that my car is not included in the recall because it definitely should be! What everybody says about the 2005 to the 2008 Kia Rios and the 2001 to 2008 Kia Rios is the same thing that is happening with my Kia Rio which is a 2009... Can y please add my vehicle too??? Also in the latest class action lawsuit it talks about the passenger seat pad sensor being broken and that's what breaks the passenger airbag so how in the world is my car not included in this?

NHTSA ID
11471872
Incident
Jan 31, 2019
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 2, 2021

MY COILS KEEP GOING OUT AFTER REPLACING ALL 4. I'VE REPLACED THE COMPLETE FUEL PUMP BUT EVERYTIME I FUEL UP MY CAR IT HESITATES TO START WHICH IS WHY I REPLACED THE PUMP TO BEGIN WITH.

NHTSA ID
11386161
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 27, 2020

MY AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD WILL NOT GO OUT WHEN IT IS RESET, I DON'T KNOW WHAT SENSOR IS BAD, IS THERE A RECALL ON THE SENORS

NHTSA ID
11385096
Incident
Dec 15, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2020

SPARK PLUG CYLINDER HOLES FILLING WITH OIL DUE TO VALVE COVER ORING FAILURE A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE IN THE PICTURE THE WHOLE SPARED PLUG WAS COMPLETELY COVERED OVER WITH OIL IN THE ENGINE

NHTSA ID
11318131
Incident
Mar 15, 2020
Mileage
197,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2019

REPLACED IGNITION COILS 1 AND 3 AT THE END OF 2018. COIL 1 HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2019. COILS 2 AND 4 WERE BOTH REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL SPARK PLUGS FEBRUARY 2018. IN JULY 2019 COIL 2 STARTED TO FAIL AGAIN AND NOW IN AUGUST 2019 COIL 4 IS MISFIRING AS WELL. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM THAT I SEE MANY REGULAR POSTS REGARDING THE SHORT LIFE SPAN OF THE IGNITION COILS FOR THIS CAR. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AND ELECTRICAL ISSUE IF NOT SOMETHING ELSE IS OBVIOUSLY WRONG. WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION AT LEAST AT THIS POINT AS TO WHY THE COILS FAIL SO QUICKLY IN THIS TYPE OF CAR. MULTIPLE ISSUES OF THE CAR NOT WANTING TO START, SHUTTING OFF WHILE IDLING AND I HAVE EVEN HAD AN INCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT COMPLETELY FAILED AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY SAFELY .

NHTSA ID
11253935
Incident
Sep 8, 2019
Mileage
85,099 mi
Filed Jul 10, 2018
1 injury reported

INSIDE DOOR HANDLES. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CHROME PAINT USED ON THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES CRACKS FORMING RAZOR SHARP EDGES THAT HAS SLICED MY HANDS DEEP WHILE OPENING DOORS TWICE. I HAVE CALLED TO REPORT THIS AWHILE BACK AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE SENT TO HIGHER. HAVE NOT HEARD ANY RESPONSE TO THIS DAY. I HAVE HAD TO PUT ELECTRICAL TAPE AROUND ALL DOOR HANDLES TO PREVENT BEING CUT WHILE OPENING DOORS. I HAVE READ ON KIA FORUMS WHERE OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE YOU (KIA MOTORS) GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? MY CONCERN IS THAT A CHILD WILL IF NOT ALREADY, BE CUT BAD BY THIS. IT COULD BE BAD ENOUGH TO REQUIRE STITCHES AS THIS IS A RAZOR SHARP EDGE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. THIS SHOULD BE PUT ON A SAFETY ISSUE RECALL AND FIXED BY KIA MOTORS JUST SAYING. AT LEAST USE SOMETHING DIFFERENT ON FUTURE VEHICLES. THANK YOU [XXXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11110413
Incident
Feb 29, 2016
Mileage
69,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

TSB_TRA046_R5

POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.

TSB_TRA046_R4

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.

TSB_TRA046_R3

POWER TRAIN

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.

TSB_BOD055_R1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING; STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.

TSB_ENG063_CLSD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TSB_ENG063_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

TSB_BOD043_CLSD

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

TSB_BOD043_CLOSED: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CLOSED

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Rio by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023120029.3
2022101055.0
2021152050.9
2020261051.2
2019211056.4
2018281059.5
2017312167.1
2016772161.7
2015521258.7
2014521260.0
20131531256.6
2012531261.6
2011240039.4
2010260046.7
2009Viewing390041.1
2008461048.1
2007461047.1
2006741051.0
2005361046.6
2004382048.9
2003743155.6
20021281153.5
20012233662.7
2000300

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.