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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.

About this comparison →

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

5 reports
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81,299 miles · Dec 17, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFire

THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, KIA SAYS THEY SENT A NOTIFICATION TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, YEARS AGO. WE FEEL THAT WE WERE ENTITLED TO A RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THE CAR BURNED DOWN. WE FEEL THIS IS NOT A SMALL RECALL, IT WAS A FIRE, A FIRE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURN AND KILL PEOPLE. WE HAD 22 KIAS RIOS IN OUR FLEET AND NEVER RECEIVED …

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THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE, KIA SAYS THEY SENT A NOTIFICATION TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, YEARS AGO. WE FEEL THAT WE WERE ENTITLED TO A RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THE CAR BURNED DOWN. WE FEEL THIS IS NOT A SMALL RECALL, IT WAS A FIRE, A FIRE IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURN AND KILL PEOPLE. WE HAD 22 KIAS RIOS IN OUR FLEET AND NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES ON ANY OF THEM. KIA DID SEND NOTICES TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER HOWEVER THEY HAD THE INFORMATION AS TO WHICH CARS RECEIVED THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS AND WHICH CARS NEVER CAME IN, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME FOLLOW UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440268

81,299 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFire

OUR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. KIA SAYS THAT RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER TO TAKE THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. NOTICE WAS SENT OUT YEARS AGO (2002). KIA KNEW THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NEVER DONE BECAUSE NO DEALERSHIP HAD BILLED KIA FOR REPAIRS. FOR NINE (9) YEARS THIS CAR WAS ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A SAFETY R…

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OUR CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. KIA SAYS THAT RECALL NOTICES WERE SENT OUT TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER TO TAKE THE CAR TO A KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. NOTICE WAS SENT OUT YEARS AGO (2002). KIA KNEW THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NEVER DONE BECAUSE NO DEALERSHIP HAD BILLED KIA FOR REPAIRS. FOR NINE (9) YEARS THIS CAR WAS ON THE ROAD WITHOUT A SAFETY RECALL BEING PERFORMED FOR FIRE. FOR NINE YEARS WE REGISTERED THIS CAR AND KIA MADE NO ATTEMPT TO FIND OUT WHO OWNS THE VEHICLE. KIA IS BEING VERY UNETHICAL BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT A NOTICE WAS SENT OUT (ONE NOTICE) AND NOW THEY HAVE DONE THEIR OBLIGATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421512

54,000 miles · Nov 2, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED UPON EXAMINATION THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED UPON EXAMINATION THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE BEARING WAS BAD AND THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE BENT. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE VEHICLE WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE AND BRAKE SERVICE AND REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION OF ONGOING PROBLEMS. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPALCED. UPDATED 09/25/07 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172443

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

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.