SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
38Owner complaints

Model-year median: 38.5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
223
2001128
200274
200338
200436
200574
200646
2007
Compare all Rio years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
12Electrical System
5Fuel System, Gasoline
5Suspension
5Power Train
4
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Air Bags
3Unknown Or Other
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Wheels
2Fuel System, Other
1Seat Belts
1Structure
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

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

Visibility/wiper complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
87,050 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Visibility/wiper

TL-THE CONTACT CT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER AND HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER AND HEAT BUTTON HAD TO BE HELD IN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST AND HEAT SYSTEM OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF …

Read full complaint

TL-THE CONTACT CT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER AND HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER AND HEAT BUTTON HAD TO BE HELD IN TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE WINDSHIELD DEFROST AND HEAT SYSTEM OPERATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,050. LI

NHTSA ODI #10565082

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.