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2006 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 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

55 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

74 reports
80,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Air Bags

MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. DID NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED THE CRASH SENSOR WAD BAD. KIA PART ONLY. CALLED KIA THEY SAID IT WOULD COST AROUND $487.00TO REPLACE IT. AS A SAFETY FEATURE , THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT FREE. NOW MY AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I'LL NEVER…

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MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON. DID NOT HAVE ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MECHANIC. MECHANIC STATED THE CRASH SENSOR WAD BAD. KIA PART ONLY. CALLED KIA THEY SAID IT WOULD COST AROUND $487.00TO REPLACE IT. AS A SAFETY FEATURE , THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT FREE. NOW MY AIRBAGS WON'T DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I'LL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN. THEY NEED TO FIX THE CRAPPY SAFETY PARTS THEY USE FOR FREE. AS A PARAMEDIC, AIRBAGS SAVE LIVES. THEY NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE FREE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562766

130,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
Air BagsStructureCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE MERGED INTO MY LANE. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE VEHICLE BUT TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THEIR REAR END WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT BUT MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY KNEE JAMMED UNDER THE WHEEL. THE IMPACT KNOCKED MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT NO …

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I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE MERGED INTO MY LANE. I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE VEHICLE BUT TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THEIR REAR END WITH MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT BUT MY FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND MY KNEE JAMMED UNDER THE WHEEL. THE IMPACT KNOCKED MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE EMTS WHO RESPONDED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE VERY SURPRISED THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SAID THEY THOUGHT THEY SHOULD HAVE. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2007 AND HAD NEVER BEEN WRECKED, SO I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562360

94,304 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,304.

NHTSA ODI #10504627

65,000 miles · May 17, 2012
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE BELT TENSIONER BENT AND CAUSED THE BELT TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. A LOCAL MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE BELT TENSIONER BENT AND CAUSED THE BELT TO SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10458850

60,000 miles · May 7, 2012
Air Bags

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE A 2006 KIA RIO LX AND AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR AND IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING CONSUMER REPORTS ON THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT IT IS A COMMON…

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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE A 2006 KIA RIO LX AND AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. MY FATHER ALSO HAS THE EXACT SAME CAR AND IT HAD THE SAME ISSUE. AFTER REVIEWING CONSUMER REPORTS ON THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND IT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE KIA OPTIMA AIRBAGS FOR THAT YEAR BUT NOT FOR THE RIO LX. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND GET BACK TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457659

40,000 miles · Apr 17, 2012
Air Bags

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND OBD SCAN INDICATED "FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR" FAILED. DEALERSHIP WANTS $800 BUCKS PLUS TO REPLACE THIS SENSOR. WITHOUT IT AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY FOR FRONT PASSENGER. HAVE RESEARCHED IT AND OTHERS HAVE INDICATED IT JUST GOES OUT AGAIN. I WILL NOT PAY THIS!!!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455565

93,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Air Bags

AIR BAG SENSOR IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS HAS FAILED-THREE TIMES SINCE BOUGHT NEW IN DEC.2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451648

18,000 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Air Bags

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAILED AIR BAG SENSOR AFTER OWNING THE CAR JUST 11 MONTHS. NOW THE CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT SO THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY IS OUT OF DATE. ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012 THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG BEING ON. THE DEALER REPORTED …

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FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAILED AIR BAG SENSOR AFTER OWNING THE CAR JUST 11 MONTHS. NOW THE CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT SO THE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY IS OUT OF DATE. ON FEBRUARY 7, 2012 THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER DUE TO THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG BEING ON. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR A CHARGE OF $880. THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS HARDLY BEEN USED DUE TO THE FACT THIS IS A SECOND CAR AND NEVER USED AS A FAMILY CAR. THERE IS USUALLY ONLY A DRIVER AND MAYBE A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER, THE DEALER MANAGER, AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA MOTORS. ALL COMPLAINTS WERE A DEAD END WITH THE REPLY BEING THE SAME EACH TIME, IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE SINCE THIS IMPAIRS THE ABILITY OF EVER HAVING A RIDER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITHOUT THEIR LIFE BEING IN DANGER. WITH AS MANY COMPLAINTS BEING LISTED ON THE WEB WITH THIS SAME DEFECT, IT WOULD APPEAR THIS IS A SEAT DESIGN IMPERFECTION AND SHOULD BE KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY. DOES IT TAKE A DEATH AND A LAWSUIT TO GET ANY THING DONE IN THIS MATTER?? WHO READS THIS AND WILL IT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?? I BOUGHT THE KIA RIO BECAUSE THEY ADVERTISED IT WAS SAFE AND ECONOMICAL...AND IT APPEARS TO BE NEITHER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449679

62,990 miles · Feb 28, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENTIRE AIG BAG SENSOR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE ENTIRE AIG BAG SENSOR SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,990.

NHTSA ODI #10449611

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION: THE CABLE BROKE. THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT COME UP. THE CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP AND UP. I WAS GOING 60 IN A 30 MPH ZONE. THE CABLE SHOULD NEVER BRAKE. IT IS NOT A PART THAT WEARS OUT. HAPPY THAT I DID NOT DIE OR CAUSE ANYONE ELSE TO GET HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447538

Official recalls

1

12V244000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 31, 2012

KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.

Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER 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.