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2004 Kia Rio Cinco

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Rio Cinco years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 10 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

1 reports
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62,206 miles · Dec 24, 2013
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, HEADED OUT TO DINNER, GOING 15 TO 20 MPH THROUGH TOWN (25 MPH SPEED LIMIT), WHEN SUDDENLY A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE STARTED, COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. I PULLED OVER IN A BUSINESS LOT & REMOVED TIRE TO FIND THAT THE REAR AXEL WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER CONNECTS TO HAD RUSTED OFF & THE …

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

NHTSA ODI #10557137

Official recalls

1

04V179000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Apr 9, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.