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2008 Kia RIOProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 46 owner complaints about the 2008 Kia RIO, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2008 Kia RIO
50
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1% below the RIO median · #11 of 23 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints4618 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage65kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 4, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Harvey Bold, CC0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Kia RIO has problems

46 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
Air bags278
Vehicle speed control30
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Engine30
Power train20
Engine and engine cooling20
Exterior lighting20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Service brakes20
9 other systems102

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

1 recall

2008 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

Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 12V-244 · May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles

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

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.

Mileage at failure

When do air bags problems start?

65kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 air bags complaints. 74% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
8under 30k miles17under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2008 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

2008 Kia RIO safety ratings

2008 Kia Rio 5-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • 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.

FOLLOWING A TIRE BLOWOUT THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THEN OUT OF A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50MPH. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINT OPERATE.
Complaint 11001621 · Jun 27, 2017 · 125,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SKIDDED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COLLISION LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.…
Complaint 10914494 · Oct 7, 2016 · 87,292 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…
Complaint 10861389 · Apr 25, 2016 · 196,000 miles

Own a 2008 RIO?

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