FaultScore

FaultScore report

2008 KIA RIO problems

Owners have filed 57 complaints about the 2008 KIA RIO with NHTSA between 2008 and 2021. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 23 worst.

D

FaultScore 64/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the KIA RIO.

How this is worked out

The numbers

57

Complaints

12

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries reported

49,248 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

46%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 36 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 78 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the KIA RIO. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
35.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 78
46% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2008 compares with every other KIA RIO

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2008 KIA RIO

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 27 47.4%

8 crashes, 0 fires · median 65,000 mi

Brakes 5 8.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 19,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 5 8.8%

Median failure at 69,200 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 5.3%

Median failure at 1,333 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 3.5%

Median failure at 19,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 3.5%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Lights 2 3.5%

Median failure at 91,000 miles

Suspension 2 3.5%

Median failure at 45,025 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 3.5%

Median failure at 77,200 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Stability & Traction Control 1 1.8%
Seats 1 1.8%

Median failure at 130,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 1.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 125,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 1.8%

Median failure at 4,000 miles

Steering 1 1.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 32,000 mi

Electrical System 1 1.8%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 5 10.9%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 7 15.2%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 4 8.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 7 15.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 8.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 9 19.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 9 19.6%
150,000+ miles 1 2.2%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2008 peak 3 Dec 2021

Recalls on the 2008 KIA RIO

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

12V244000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 125,000 miles Albany, OR Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11001621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Albany, OR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11001621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,292 miles Berlin, NJ Crash

AIR BAGS

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,292.

NHTSA complaint #10914494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,852 miles Vinton, VA Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

I HAVE DRIVER/PASSENGER AND SIDE AIRBAGS. I WAS BLINDSIDED BY A DODGE DAKOTA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HER VEHICLE SLAMMED BOTH OF MY DOORS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SO BADLY NEITHER ONE WOULD OPEN AND MY DAUGHTER HAD TO CLIMB OUT OF MY SIDE. ONE WAS DIRECTLY AT THE SIDE AIRBAG, MY CAR WAS TOTALED TO SAY THE LEAST AS IT HAD MULTIPLE DAMAGE TO IT. WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING?

NHTSA complaint #10551111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50 miles ST. Matthews, SC Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO LX. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS VEHICLE. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH PUSHED THE CONTACTS VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR AND FRONT ENDS OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE FRAME WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A MONTH BEFORE THE CRASH, A DEER CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10359001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boyertown, PA Crash 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARD THE PET STORE (THE DESTINATION I WANTED TO GO TO). I SLOWED DOWN WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, I DONT RECALL WHETHER THERE WAS A LIGHT THAT WAS CHANGING OR NOT . LIKE I SAID I DID SLOW DOWN AND APPLY MY BRAKES, AND THAT IS WHEN I FELT SOMETHING WRONG. MY VEHICLE DID A JERK WHICH CAUSED ME TO GO IN AN OFF HANDED DIRECTION AND TRYING TO CORRECT THIS I SWERVED TO STRAIGHTEN UP MY VEHICLE, AND IT DID NOT WORK OUT , I WENT TOWARDS THE MIDDLE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY ROAD.... I KNEW I WAS GOING TO HIT THE POLES IN THE MEDIAN. THAT IS THE LAST THING I REMEMBER SEEINING. THE POLICE RECORD WILL SHOW I WENT HEAD ON WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER. MY MAIN CONCERN ABOUT THIS WHOLE ACCIDENT WAS I FELT SOMETHING HAPPENED OR WENT WRONG WITH MY CAR WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. (EX. BRAKES LOCKING UP....) I NEED THIS INCIDENT INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA complaint #10322487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

SAN Juan, PR

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD IS ALLWAYS ON EVER SENS THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA complaint #11442672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Kalamazoo, MI

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE AND CLUTCH CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF CLUTCH WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11267065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Kalamazoo, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE AND CLUTCH CEASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF CLUTCH WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11267065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH GEARS IS STUCK AND DOASNT WORK. MY CAR WILL ONLY STAY IN 3RD GEAR AND REVERSE. IT HAS NO POWER AND GOES IN LIMP MODE. I HAVE 3 SMALL KIDS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. PLZ HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11181015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, GA

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH GEARS IS STUCK AND DOASNT WORK. MY CAR WILL ONLY STAY IN 3RD GEAR AND REVERSE. IT HAS NO POWER AND GOES IN LIMP MODE. I HAVE 3 SMALL KIDS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. PLZ HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11181015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, GA

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

TAKATA RECALL. THE COMPUTER THAT TELLS THE TRANSMISSION TO SWITCH GEARS IS STUCK AND DOASNT WORK. MY CAR WILL ONLY STAY IN 3RD GEAR AND REVERSE. IT HAS NO POWER AND GOES IN LIMP MODE. I HAVE 3 SMALL KIDS AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO DRIVE WITH IT LIKE THIS SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. PLZ HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #11181015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Albany, OR Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11001621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Albany, OR Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11001621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles South Dellroy, OH

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED. THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY NINE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10926412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,292 miles Berlin, NJ Crash

AIR BAGS

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,292.

NHTSA complaint #10914494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Houston, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN IGNITION COIL FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10864025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Houston, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AN IGNITION COIL FAILED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #10864025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 196,000 miles Moriarty, NM

AIR BAGS

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 WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

NHTSA complaint #10861389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waynesboro, VA

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED OVER NIGHT.(VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY) REJECTION INSPECTION STICKER BECAUSE OF AIR BAG LIGHT. KIA DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THE "PASSENGER PRESSANCE MODULE" IS MESSED UP AND IS CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED, AIR BAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED. CONCERN; OVER 72,000 '06- '08 KIA RIOS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME THING. BUT MINE WASN'T? AND NOW MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WANTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING THAT I FEEL LIKE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA complaint #10854458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles Waynesboro, VA

AIR BAGS

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 THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA complaint #10854461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Telford, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED BULBS AND CHECKED FUSE BUT STILL NOTHING. GOOD SAMARITAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AT A RED LIGHT TO LET ME KNOW, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10735040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 96,000 miles Telford, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. REPLACED BULBS AND CHECKED FUSE BUT STILL NOTHING. GOOD SAMARITAN PULLED UP NEXT TO ME AT A RED LIGHT TO LET ME KNOW, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I WAS ONLY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME.

NHTSA complaint #10735040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,500 miles Waikoloa, HI

AIR BAGS

2008 KIA RIO-PURCHASED 10/2008, AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT ALL TIMES WHILE CAR IS OPERATED, BEGINNG LATE 2009 EARLY 2010 PROBLEM AROSE. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT KIA SINCE 2009 AND THEY NEW OF THIS PROBLEM YET NEVER RESOLVED THE ISSUE.. 7/16/15 KIA MOTORS OF KAILUA-KONA HAWAII SCANNED CAR FOR CODE, CODE SHOWS B1448 OCS MAT DEFECT, THEY WANT ME TO PAY 1200$ FOR A TANAKA AIRBAG RECALL. WHY IS MY VIN# NOT SHOWING UP FOR RECALL? THEIRS OTHER VIN WITH SAME RECALL PROBLEMS? MY CAR WILL NOT PASS SAFETY INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM DONE BY WEST COAST DETAILINGS. CAR PASSED EVERY YEAR BEFORE WHY NOT NOW? DUE TO THIS OCS MAT DEFECT CODE B1448-AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT ALL TIMES WHILE CAR IS OPERATED, SAFETY OF LIVES ARE KEY FACTORS NOT PROFIT BEFORE PEOPLE OR REPUTATION OF KIA / HYUNDAI CORPORATION.

NHTSA complaint #10734866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Arlington, TX

SEATS

THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2006 TO 2008 KIA RIOS FOR THIS SAME FATIGUE FAILURE ON THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE GENERAL FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT COSTING APPROXIMATELY 1500 OR MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10703533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Arlington, TX

AIR BAGS

THE RED AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. A SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2006 TO 2008 KIA RIOS FOR THIS SAME FATIGUE FAILURE ON THE AIR BAG SENSOR, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED. THE GENERAL FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT COSTING APPROXIMATELY 1500 OR MORE.

NHTSA complaint #10703533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mchenry, MD

AIR BAGS

2008 KIA RIO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIRBAG WARNING SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING WHILE HIS WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATED THE AIR BAG WAS OFF. THERE WERE OTHER TIMES WHEN THE LIGHT INDICATED IT WAS ON. THE DEALER STATED THE PASSENGER WAS TOO LIGHT, AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10690382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Aberdeen, MD

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS PRESENT AND WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10682898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,256 miles Honolulu, HI

AIR BAGS

KIA HAS A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000) FOR YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MY KIA RIO IS A 2008 HOWEVER IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER THE VIN DUE TO I'M GUESSING BEING MANUFACTURED AFTER THE CUT OFF DATE, HOWEVER THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS NOW COME ON AND THE PASSENGER WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER WORKS. I HAD MY CAR DIAGNOSED TODAY AND KIA INFORMED ME IT WAS THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAD CRACKED. FROM THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. 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. I'M ASKING/WONDERING HOW I CAN GET MY VEHICLE ON THE RECALL LIST IF POSSIBLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW TELLING ME I NEED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SEAT REPLACED AT $2500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. IS THIS HOW THE SENSOR WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL OR ARE THEY ABLE TO REPLACE JUST THE CRACKED SENSOR? ITS SOUNDING A LITTLE FISHY THAT THEY CANT REPLACE JUST THE SENSOR. MY VEHICLE IS STILL AT KIA SO I DON'T HAVE MY VIN# ON ME AT THE MOMENT. I WOULD LIKE A REPLY IF POSSIBLE AND CAN GIVE MY VIN AT THAT TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10676821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Lake Stephens, WA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA complaint #10664899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,125 miles Norfolk, VA

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED & WILL NOT GO OFF. AFTER HAVING A DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT I WAS TOLD I HAD TO REPLACE OCS MAT SENSOR. YOU CAN'T BUY JUST THE SENSOR, YOU HAVE TO BUY THE SEAT WHICH CONTAINS THE SENSOR FOR $800. WHEN I CALLED KIA $ QUESTIONED THE RECALL, I WAS TOLD MY VIN DID NOT QUALIFY. FUNNY HOW I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS THAT READ JUST LIKE MINE ABOUT A 2008 KIA RIO. I THINK THE RECALL SHOULD EXTEND FURTHER TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER FROM BEING RIPPED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10641286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.