The 2007 Kia Rio has 1 safety recall and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (21 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints46filed by owners
Crashes · fires11 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths6 · 1reported in complaints
2007 Kia Rio in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
NHTSA recall 12V244000 · May 31, 2012 · 72,568 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2007 Kia Rio 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Rio
29mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 35 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Rio
29mpg combined
City / highway
27 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
21
10
0
6
50,383 mi
Electrical system Instrument cluster/panel
9
0
1
0
68,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
5
2
0
1
13,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Driveline › Constant velocity joint
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 29, 2024Engine the engine has very bad Loss of oil pressure it consumption of a lot oil the engine knock very bad that engine has decreased its power the engine oil light always on so I stop driving the car and car blows white smoke from the engine my mechanic told he did not want to work on the car because of the engine but I can get a invoice he quoted me 3,000 dollars for a new engine i have not even had this car for long could not even drive it around or get my child to school
May 1, 2023 · 260,000 milesAir bags The contact owns a 2007 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the occupant classification system (OCS) seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V244000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 260,000.
Apr 20, 2021 · 102,668 milesTires TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 KIA RIO EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: G-FORCE SPORT, TIRE SIZE: 195/55/R15, DOT NUMBER: BELN3P1107-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRES SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE FLAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRES AND FOUND THE TREAD AND STEEL WIRES WERE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE SIX YEARS OLD. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,668.
Feb 8, 2020 · 95,600 milesElectrical system I DRIVING UP TO WISCONSIN DELLS FROM ILLINOIS AND THE VIT WOULNT GO OVER TWENTY MILES PER HR I HATE THIS VEHICLE AND A TUNE UP WAS DONE BEFORE I LEFT I HAVE A 2007 KIA RIO AND VEHICLE JUST DIED AND THEN STARTED AND HAD NO POWER I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO ILLINOIS WHICH COST ME 300 DOLLARS HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY HAS 95.600 MILES WAS
Aug 1, 2019 · 200,000 milesAir bags 2007 KIA RIO HAS AN AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, WITH A CODE SPECIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT SENSOR. WHEN CLEARING THE CODE FOR THE AIRBAG, THE CODE IS RETHROWN AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS. NHTSA RECALL #12V244000 APPLIED TO CERTAIN MODELS OF THE 2005-2007 MODEL ERA, BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, AS THE VEHICLE HAS NO OPEN SEAT MAT RECALL AND NONE HAD BEEN REPAIRED IN THE PAST. EVIDENTLY THE ISSUE IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE INITIAL RECALL. THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
Dec 21, 2018Air bags I JUST RECENT HAD THE BATTERY PUT IN MY CAR. AN NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR THE DRIVER ON THAT DASH BOARD. AN DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. SO WE ARE SCARED TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD AN IT DOESN'T PROTECT US IF WE GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AN SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
Feb 1, 2017Electrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. RALLY KIA (438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551, (818) 492-3800) WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE SECOND DEALER (GALPIN KIA, 8425 SEPULVEDA BLVD, NORTH HILLS, CA 91343) PROVIDED A SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS WITH INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE CONTACT FOLLOWED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE A FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE TO DETERMINE A SOLUTION. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR A PERMANENT REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
Jan 5, 2018 · crashAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY MISTAKE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. ALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER SUSTAINED A NECK AND BACK INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
