Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
725–50K
1650–75K
1275–100K
5100–150K
4150K+
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
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 02/06/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2077. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED PERMANENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX WAS MADE. THE CONSUMER WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED, ONLY TO BE TOLD, THE COST WOULD BE $800.00. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE AIR BAG, BUT WAS TOLD, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 02/10/12
NHTSA ODI #10445421
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
MY MOTHER RAN OFF THE ROAD & HIT A TREE HEAD ON. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED, BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED ON EITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED ALOT OF FACIAL TRAUMA & BRAIN INJURIES TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10445413
50,000 miles · Jan 23, 2012
Air Bags
AFTER TURNING MY CAR ON, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED EVER SINCE. MY CAR HAS SUFFERED NO TRAUMA OR REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO NOT WORK, BUT WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AS LONG AS THIS LIGHT IS ON. I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10444905
65,000 miles · Nov 6, 2011
Air Bags
I HAVE TWO 2006 KIA RIOS BOTH AT APPROX. 65000 MILES DEVELOPED AND AIR BAG PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM TO THE DEALER AND PAID 105 DOLLARS EACH FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY TELL ME IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT ON BOTH CARS AND WANT 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SEATS. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW PEOPLE SIT IN MY PASSENGER SEATS IT SEEMS TO ME THIS…
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I HAVE TWO 2006 KIA RIOS BOTH AT APPROX. 65000 MILES DEVELOPED AND AIR BAG PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM TO THE DEALER AND PAID 105 DOLLARS EACH FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY TELL ME IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT ON BOTH CARS AND WANT 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SEATS. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW PEOPLE SIT IN MY PASSENGER SEATS IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE. I HAVE NOTED ON THE INTERNET THAT IT SEEMS TO BE QUITE A PROBLEM FOR BOTH THE 2006 AND 2007 MODEL KIA RIO'S. I ALSO HAVE MET TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN 60 AND 70 THOUSAND MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434365
65,000 miles · Nov 6, 2011
Air Bags
I HAVE TWO 2006 KIA RIOS BOTH AT APPROX. 65000 MILES DEVELOPED AND AIR BAG PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM TO THE DEALER AND PAID 105 DOLLARS EACH FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY TELL ME IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT ON BOTH CARS AND WANT 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SEATS. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW PEOPLE SIT IN MY PASSENGER SEATS IT SEEMS TO ME THIS…
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I HAVE TWO 2006 KIA RIOS BOTH AT APPROX. 65000 MILES DEVELOPED AND AIR BAG PROBLEM. I TOOK THEM TO THE DEALER AND PAID 105 DOLLARS EACH FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY TELL ME IT IS THE PASSENGER SEAT ON BOTH CARS AND WANT 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SEATS. SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN VERY FEW PEOPLE SIT IN MY PASSENGER SEATS IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUE. I HAVE NOTED ON THE INTERNET THAT IT SEEMS TO BE QUITE A PROBLEM FOR BOTH THE 2006 AND 2007 MODEL KIA RIO'S. I ALSO HAVE MET TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BETWEEN 60 AND 70 THOUSAND MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434364
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2011
Air Bags
HAVING APPROXIMATELY 89,000 MILES ON MY 2006 KIA RIO 5, THE AIR BAG LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS DIRECTED BY THE CAR'S OWNER'S MANUAL AND I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CAR, DUE TO THE MILEAGE THAT THE BASIC COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED AND THEREFORE…
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HAVING APPROXIMATELY 89,000 MILES ON MY 2006 KIA RIO 5, THE AIR BAG LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AS DIRECTED BY THE CAR'S OWNER'S MANUAL AND I WAS TOLD THAT EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY ON THE CAR, DUE TO THE MILEAGE THAT THE BASIC COVERAGE HAD EXPIRED AND THEREFORE DOING THE DIAGNOSTIC AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE DIAGNOSTIC COST ME $44.00 AND THEY WANTED $1,100 TO REPLACE THE SEAT PAD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH THEY SAID IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LIGHT TO STAY ON AND IF I DID NOT REPLACE THE PAD AND I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS COSTLY REPAIR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I LIKED SEVERAL FEATURES, ITS STYLE - THAT IT IS A HATCHBACK, THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY, THE PRICE, THE HANDLING AND THE SMOOTH RIDE. NOW 5 YEARS LATER LOOK WHAT THAT 100,000 MILE WARRANTY IS DOING FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433117
65,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Air Bags
COMPONENT: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL DETAILS: THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 2006 KIA RIO IS APPARENTLY NOT WORKING. ITS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, AND HAS REMAINED AS SUCH FOR EVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425319
83,000 miles · Sep 11, 2011
Exterior Lighting
THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COME AND GO. THEY WILL WORK FOR A COUPLE OF TIMES, THEN THEY WILL QUIT AGAIN. I HAVE READ ON FORUMS THIS IS HAPPENING A LOT WITH THE 2006-2007 KIA.
NHTSA ODI #10424988
96,200 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Power Train
RESUME EDITING I BOUGHT MY CAR IN '06, BEGINNING MY KIA NIGHTMARE...RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WENT OUT...IN KIA AGREED TO FIX IT UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY...WITH ME PAYING THE LABOR COST OF $1250..BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS NOT A COVERED PART...AFTER AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS AND MY CAR BEING IN THE SHOP FOR NOW 3…
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RESUME EDITING I BOUGHT MY CAR IN '06, BEGINNING MY KIA NIGHTMARE...RECENTLY MY TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH WENT OUT...IN KIA AGREED TO FIX IT UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY...WITH ME PAYING THE LABOR COST OF $1250..BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS NOT A COVERED PART...AFTER AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS AND MY CAR BEING IN THE SHOP FOR NOW 3 WEEKS, I GET A CALL TODAY WITH THE NEWS THAT THEY WILL NOT LONGER HONOR THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY REALIZED THE ODOMETER AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT WORKING....WHICH WAS WORKED ON BY YOU GEUESSED IT KIA....BACK IN JAN...!! MMMMMM.....I'M NOT A HAPPY CAMPER......KIA HAS ACCESS TO MY REPAIR RECORDS...THEIR MECHANIC CHECKED MY CAR BFORE AGREEING TO THE REPAIRS AND AGREEING TO COVERING AND HONORING THE WARRANTY........!! NOW THEY DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THE AGREE AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE DONE! I CAN NOT HAVE MY CAR UNTIL I PAY THE COST !! O...........REALLY????? IS THIS LEGAL..???? I STILL OWE $1661 IN THIS CAR.....WHAT THE [XXX]!! THIS CAR HAS COST ME UPWARDS OF $20,000 AND THE KELLY BBV IS ONLY $2300-$3000 IF I'M LUCKY AND COULD EVEN SELL THE THING!!!! THY AT IS RIDICULOUS!!! I AM MORTIFIED AT THE DISHONESTY OF KIA....I HAVE ORDERED ME A LEMON SHAPE MAGNET WITH THE WORDS (IN RED) "ASK ME ABOUT MY LEMON" "IT IS A KIA DUD!! " WHEN THIS IS OVER I WILL PROUDLY SPORT THESE MAGNETS ,ONE ON EACH SIDE OF MY CAR...FOR THE WORLD TO BE AWARE THAT KIA SELLS LEMONS! I WILL POST ON FB TO WARN MY FRIENDS AND FRIENDS OF MY FRIENDS, I WILL MAKE BUMPER STICKERS AND GIVE THEM TO EVERYONE I SEE UNTIL I AM SATISFIED THAT THE WORD IS OUT AND PEOPLE ARE MADE AWARE THAT KIA IS A DISHONORABLE COMPANY AND WILL NOT MAKE GOOD ON THEIR WORD AND THE FACT THEY OFFER A WARRANTY....ACTUALLY MEANS SQUAT!!.... 6 YEARS I HAVE MADE PAYMENTS ON THIS CAR...I WAS LATE ON ONE PAYMENT...AND NOW...BEING SO CLOSE TO MY PAYOFF....KIA WANTS TO REALLY SCREW ME! $20,000 FOR A CAR THEY NOW REFUSE TO GIVE ME!! I HAVE BEEN RAPED BY KIA!! YOU ARE DISHONORABLE, UNTRUSWORTHY AND JUST DOWN RIGHT CROOKED! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDO
NHTSA ODI #10421380
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2011
Air Bags
THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IN MY 2006 KIA RIO IS APPARENTLY NOT WORKING. ITS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO, AND HAS REMAINED AS SUCH FOR EVER. *TR
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.
2006 Kia Rio Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year