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2005 Kia RIOProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 2005 Kia RIO, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2005 Kia RIO
57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year24% below the RIO median · #13 of 23 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints3713 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage45kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Kia RIO has problems

37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling121
Engine51
Air bags43
Electrical system42
Seat belts42
Power train31
Steering31
Vehicle speed control30
Structure20
6 other systems60

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2005 Kia RIO recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Child seat

Recall 05V-557 · Dec 12, 2005 · 90,865 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other RIO year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RIO median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2005 Kia RIO safety ratings

2005 Kia Rio 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2005 Kia RIO frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2005 Kia RIO side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What RIO owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT MAYBE YOU CAN HELP, PLEASE. I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TELLING ME I'M AT LESS THAN 90% EFFICIENCY RELATIVE TO POLLUTION. WHEN THE MECHANIC CHECKS THE CO2 AND OTHER POLLUTION REQUIREMENTS I'M OK. I STILL GET GREAT MILEAGE AND GOOD POWER. THE PROBLEM IS THE COMPUTER…
Complaint 10629331 · Aug 29, 2014
GOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE 4 IN ORLANDO FL MY 2005 KIA RIO BROKE THE TIMING BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL ENGINE POWER & ROLLED TO A STOP WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE & BARELY AVOIDED GETTING REAR ENDED. *TR
Complaint 10359902 · Oct 10, 2010 · 75,000 miles
KIA PLACED A BULLETIN WITH YOU ON 1/1/05,#TSB82,#10015272. APPARENTLY KIA THOUGHT THAT WAS ENOUGH. MY KIA WAS PURCHASED 7/21/05. I WAS TOLD I HAD "BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE IF I PURCHASED THE ADDITIONAL 4,000. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WERE REQUIRED TO FURNISH ME WITH A COMPLETE WARRANTY DISCLOSURE…
Complaint 10356310 · Sep 19, 2010 · 38,000 miles

Own a 2005 RIO?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.