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2004 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

32 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

12 reports
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68,040 miles · Dec 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND MY 2004 KIA RIO DIED , I PUSHED IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING BELT LOST ITS TEETH AND THERE IS NOW NO COMPRESSION IN 3 AND 4 , THE MILEAGE ON CAR IS 68040. I WAS TOLD BASICALLY THE ENGINE IS TOAST AND I WASN'T EVEN MOVING ,I WAS TOLD BY A COUPLE OF MECHANICS THAT THE BELT THAT KIA USED IS F…

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I WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND MY 2004 KIA RIO DIED , I PUSHED IT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE TIMING BELT LOST ITS TEETH AND THERE IS NOW NO COMPRESSION IN 3 AND 4 , THE MILEAGE ON CAR IS 68040. I WAS TOLD BASICALLY THE ENGINE IS TOAST AND I WASN'T EVEN MOVING ,I WAS TOLD BY A COUPLE OF MECHANICS THAT THE BELT THAT KIA USED IS FAULTY . THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS REPLACE 60,000 MILES BUT REPLACE IT 105,000 IN CALIFORNIA. HOW WOULD A BELT BE BAD IN 49 STATES EXCEPT CALIFORNIA. I FOUND ON AUTO MD .COM NHTSA ACTION #10015272 SERVICE BULLETIN # 289221 REPORT DATING JAN 1 2005 IMPROVED TIMING BELTS FOR 04 RIO AND OPTIMA . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369219

80,000 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE PULLING UP TO A PARKING LOT AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE WAS NEAR A TIRE SHOP AT THE TIME AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS IN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE PULLING UP TO A PARKING LOT AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE WAS NEAR A TIRE SHOP AT THE TIME AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED AND THE ENGINE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIMING BELT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITHIN FIVE YEARS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10260541

83,000 miles · Nov 18, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2004 KIA RIO. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE TILL THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WHEN IT FAILED INSPECTION FOR EMISSIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS A SENSOR. SO THEN I HAD THE CAR BACK FOR A WEEK AND MY HUSBAND WHO DRIVES THE CAR EVERYDAY WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK HEARD A LOUD…

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I HAVE A 2004 KIA RIO. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE TILL THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WHEN IT FAILED INSPECTION FOR EMISSIONS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT TOOK A WHILE BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS A SENSOR. SO THEN I HAD THE CAR BACK FOR A WEEK AND MY HUSBAND WHO DRIVES THE CAR EVERYDAY WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR DIED. COME TO FIND OUT THE TIMING BELT WENT ON THE VEHICLE. WHICH COME TO FIND OUT YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO CHANGE THESE AT 60,000 ACCORDING TO THEIR BOOK. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE RIO WE ALSO BOUGHT A KIA SPECTRA. SO OF COURSE WE TOOK THE SPECTRA IN RIGHT AWAY TO GET A NEW BELT SO WE WOULDN'T HAVE 2 CARS DOWN. THAT COST 677.00. I HAD 78,000 ON THE SPECTRA AND THERE WAS 83,000 ON THE RIO. I INVESTIGATED THIS PROBLEM COME TO FIND OUT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM SO KIA KNOWS ABOUT IT. I THEN CHECKED THE TECHNICAL BULLETINS AND FOUND THAT IN JANUARY 0F 2005 THERE WAS A BULLETIN ITEM NUMBER 10015272. IT SAYS THEY IMPROVED THE TIMING BELTS FOR THE KIA RIO AND OPTIMA. WELL THEY DIDN'T IMPROVE IT FOR MY CAR. WHEN THE TIMING BELT WENT IT BLEW THE ENGINE. WE ARE SO MADE AND WHEN WE TOOK MY SPECTRA IN TO BE DONE AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED TO THE RIO THEY SAID THAT'S TO BAD. WE NOW HAVE OUR CAR AT ANOTHER GARAGE AND ARE TRYING TO GET KIA TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ENGINE. WHAT DO YOU THINK MY CHANCES ARE? I AM AT WORK NOW AND I DO NOT HAVE THE VIN NUMBER, IF YOU EMAIL ME THEN LATER TONIGHT I CAN FORWARD THE VIN NUMBER TO YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249072

53,015 miles · Oct 4, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO CINCO. WHILE DRIVING 30, 45, OR 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED SINCE THE DEALER COULD FIND NO FAILURE WITH THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO CINCO. WHILE DRIVING 30, 45, OR 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND THE DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED SINCE THE DEALER COULD FIND NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,015. UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND THE DRUMS WERE ROTATED. UPDATED 12/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204856

80,382 miles · Dec 12, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS A LOST OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS TO ALERT THE CONTACT OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE BLEW OUT DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF COOLANT MIXED WITH THE E…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS A LOST OF ENGINE POWER WAS NOTICED. THERE WERE NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS TO ALERT THE CONTACT OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE BLEW OUT DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF COOLANT MIXED WITH THE ENGINE OIL AND RECOMMENDED ENGINE PEPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNDER REGULAR MAINTENACE SINCE THE PURCHASE DATE

NHTSA ODI #10175941

19,000 miles · Nov 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER SIX TIMES BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172888

67,000 miles · Nov 3, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE'S TIMING BELT CHIPPED AND DENTED AN ENGINE PISTON. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10172592

5,529 miles · Jul 17, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 19TH 2005, IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR AND A BAD ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF RECALL DEFECT TO THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE A PAR…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 19TH 2005, IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR AND A BAD ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF RECALL DEFECT TO THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE A PART REPLACED TO REMEDY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR BUT VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK ON TEN OTHER OCCASIONS FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THAN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A REFERRAL TO ANOTHER DEALERS FOR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE RECOMMENDED DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A LOUD NOISE. UPDATED 08/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162588

24,000 miles · Jun 26, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MY 2004 KIA RIO STARTED TO STALL AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS @ 24,000 I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING ERRATIC TACHOMETER READINGS (UP AND DOWN) AND I HAVE HAD A CONTINUED ROUGH IDLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALER ON MORE THAN 6 OCCASIONS AND AT THAT POINT THEY ONLY RETURNED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND TOLD ME THERE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING WRO…

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MY 2004 KIA RIO STARTED TO STALL AT STOP SIGNS AND LIGHTS @ 24,000 I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING ERRATIC TACHOMETER READINGS (UP AND DOWN) AND I HAVE HAD A CONTINUED ROUGH IDLE. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY DEALER ON MORE THAN 6 OCCASIONS AND AT THAT POINT THEY ONLY RETURNED THE COMPUTER CHIP AND TOLD ME THERE SEEMS TO BE NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. AFTER HIRING A LAWYER AND CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM THEM TO FIX THE CAR, THEY ORDERED A THROTTLE ARM AND AGREED TO TRY IT OUT. ON JUNE 23, 2006 BEFORE THEY PUT THE THROTTLE ITEM IN, I STALLED @ 30 MPH MAKING A TURN ONTO TO A STREET FROM A INTERSECTION. A CAR COMING THE OTHER WAY AND STOPPED INCHES SHORT OF HITTING ME ON MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. AT THIS POINT EVEN WITH THE NEW PART PLACED IN MY CAR, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR SINCE THEY SAID THERE IS NO WAY TO GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10160791

23,500 miles · Aug 19, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

DEALER CHANGED COMPUTER, WIRING HARNESS , 2 INJECTORS, PLUG, TIMING BELT, SENSOR AND REPLACED COMES SWITCHES . BOUGHT A 2004 KIA RIO IN MARCH 2005. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE CAR UP AT THE SHOP, AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT OFF THE LOT BEFORE THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN. DEALER OFFERED ME A…

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DEALER CHANGED COMPUTER, WIRING HARNESS , 2 INJECTORS, PLUG, TIMING BELT, SENSOR AND REPLACED COMES SWITCHES . BOUGHT A 2004 KIA RIO IN MARCH 2005. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE PAST 3 WEEKS. THE CONSUMER PICKED THE CAR UP AT THE SHOP, AND IT DIDN'T MAKE IT OFF THE LOT BEFORE THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN. DEALER OFFERED ME A RENTAL CAR. WENT BACK ONE WEEK LATER TO PICK UP THE CAR AND ONLY WENT TWO MILES BEFORE THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO DEALER, AND REQUESTED ANOTHER CAR JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT I HAD A 2004 KIA RIO. DEALER SAID COULD NOT TRADE THE CAR WITHOUT REFINANCING IT. THEY DID FINANCE THE HOUSE FOR THE FIRST CAR BUT REFUSED TO WITH THE SECOND CAR. WHY CANT THE DEALER FINANCE THE SECOND CAR AS THEY DID THE FIRST? *AK *NM

NHTSA ODI #10118855

Official recalls

2

05V557000 · Child Seat

Dec 12, 2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

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.