no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.
2006 Kia RIOProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 74 owner complaints about the 2006 Kia RIO, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 25, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Kia RIO has problems
74 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
50Air bags11 crash/fire/injury
6Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
4Steering
3Electrical system
3Structure
2Equipment
2Service brakes, hydraulic
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Engine
109 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 50 | 11 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 1 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 10 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2006 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.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
65kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 36 air bags complaints. 83% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles30under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
12 owners mentioned a cost$836median
Middle half: $800 – $1,025
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 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
2006 Kia RIO safety ratings
2006 Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB (Later release) in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What RIO owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT WHERE I RENEDED TWO CARS. MY AIR BAG SID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS HYDROPLANE ON WET ROADS GOING ABOUT 55 WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD A SEIZURE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND HOSPITALIZED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN UNKNOWN NISSAN VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE PASSENGER…
Own a 2006 RIO?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.