Model year record

2004 Kia RIO

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 53 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V557000

Child seat

Component
Child seat
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
90,865
Reported to NHTSA
2005-12-12
Owners notified
2006-01-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V179000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
187,790
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-09
Owners notified
2004-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling753,015 mi
Electrical system523,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine324,000 mi
Unknown or other3136,000 mi
Air bags29,300 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys223,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline281,299 mi
Latches/locks/linkages221,599 mi
Power train: automatic transmission230,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic25,529 mi
Suspension25,529 mi
Vehicle speed control222,957 mi
Wheels254,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery15,529 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump154,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors123,500 mi
Fuel system, other1
Power train169,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission179,418 mi
Seat belts: front19,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper116,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor154,000 mi
Structure15,529 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar176,243 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear154,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal170,000 mi
Visibility/wiper187,050 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer134,000 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.