FaultScore

KIA RIO seat belt problems

64 of the 1,816 complaints filed about the KIA RIO are about the seat belts — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

64

Complaints

4%

Share of all complaints

22

Crashes

0

Fires

Seat Belts complaints by model year

2001 RIO 17 26.6%

Median failure at 47,000 miles

2002 RIO 16 25.0%

Median failure at 87,229 miles

2003 RIO 7 10.9%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2004 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 9,300 miles

2005 RIO 4 6.3%

Median failure at 69,000 miles

2006 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2007 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 13,000 miles

2008 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 125,000 miles

2009 RIO 2 3.1%

Median failure at 13,850 miles

2012 RIO 3 4.7%

Median failure at 12,000 miles

2013 RIO 3 4.7%

Median failure at 58,000 miles

2014 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 680 miles

2015 RIO 2 3.1%

Median failure at 32,064 miles

2016 RIO 1 1.6%
2017 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 5,026 miles

2020 RIO 1 1.6%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2021 RIO 1 1.6%
2023 RIO 1 1.6%

What owners said

2023 KIA RIO Lahaina, HI

SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the vehicle failed to sound a seat belt warning chime to indicate that the passenger’s side seat belt was not buckled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11559707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 KIA RIO Matthews, NC

SEAT BELTS

seatbelts in rear are inoperable/anti theft not working. Kia dealership told me that its not their issue about the anti theft. I have been told on 3 separate occasions that my seatbelts have been ordered but they haven’t!!!! No one is following up with me, when I call I get told “until they can get in contact with the dealership Kia the corporate company cannot do anything” have 2 kids Kia the dealership as well as the corporate company knows about this and no one is doing anything!! NO ONE CARES

NHTSA complaint #11520150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 KIA RIO Amarillo, TX Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS

The air bags malfunction they didn’t go off and seatbelt didn’t lock on impact. Yes my safety was at risk. I keep calling them and they not do pick up the phone I get transferred back to the receptionist. The insurance company is doing their inspection the police as well. No warnings.

NHTSA complaint #11420741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 KIA RIO at 5,000 miles Wayne, PA Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Rio. The contact stated while driving through an intersection, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the left front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the seat belt detached from the base. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained broken teeth, a split tongue, a broken hand, a concussion, and an abdominal contusion that required medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA complaint #11418755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA RIO at 66,000 miles Canovanas, PR

SEAT BELTS

AIR BAG WARNING

NHTSA complaint #11270041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 KIA RIO at 5,026 miles Hopkins, SC Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS

WAS RUN OFF THE ROAD AT 55 MPH HITTING A STOP SIGN A TELEPHONE BOX A OAK TREE THEN A PINE TREE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY OR DID THE SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WIFE HAS A BROKEN BACK AND CHEST BONE

NHTSA complaint #11124725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA RIO at 21,000 miles Deer Park, TX 2 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS LOCKED, BUT FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT'S NEPHEW AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEMONTROND KIA (14101 NORTH FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77090), BUT NO DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND AND THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AN ENGINEER STATED THAT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE SUBFRAME WAS VISIBLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #11072864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 KIA RIO at 43,128 miles Carrabelle, FL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S BODY STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST, NECK, SHOULDER, AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BILL BYRD KIA (2435 E 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32405, PHONE NUMBER: (850) 872-0444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NHTSA MADE THEM INSTALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IT DID NOT MEAN THAT THEY HAD TO WORK OR ILLUMINATE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,128.

NHTSA complaint #11025330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 KIA RIO 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.

2009 KIA RIO at 26,875 miles SAN German, PR

SEAT BELTS

2009 KIA RIO LX: WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN AT 20MPH AND HAVING 26,875 MILES IN THE OD, THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT TURNED ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN AUTORIZED KIA DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED USING A KDS HAVING 26,927 MILES, FINDING 3 CODES: B1448 OCS MAT DEFECT, B1513 BUCKLE SWITCH OPEN SHORT PASSENGER SIDE, B1511 BUCKLE SWITCH OPEN SHORT DRIVER SIDE. DEALER SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR REPORTS FROM KIA ON THIS COMPLAINTS FOR 2009 KIA RIO AND DECIDED TO NOT REPLACE THE PARTS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BUCKLE SWITCH AND THE PASSENGER MAT SEAT FOR A TOTAL CHARGE OF $1,700. THE VEHICLE IS USED BY ITS ORIGINAL OWNER, NEVER HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY CRASH EVENTS, HAVE LOW MILEAGE AND STILLS UNDER THE 10YEARS/100,000 MILES WARRANTY OFFERED BY KIA.

NHTSA complaint #10993833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA RIO at 58,000 miles Quebradillas, PR Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. AFTER REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CONTUSIONS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #10875234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 KIA RIO at 78,000 miles Marianna, FL Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

I WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN, GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON ITS BRAKES AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN (LIKE THEY ALMOST MISSED THE STREET AND TRIED TO COMPENSATE LAST MINUTE) I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE SEATBELT DIDN'T CATCH, NOR DID THE AIRBAG DEPLOY, AND MY HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CHIN FIRST.

NHTSA complaint #10860642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 KIA RIO Worcester, MA

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS RANDOMLY FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10820989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 KIA RIO at 58,000 miles Cheyenne, WY

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS, CAR SEAT RETAINING HOOKS, ECM, AND DISTRIBUTOR ARE RECALLED. CHEYENNE KIA HAD 3 WEEKS BEFORE ORIGINAL APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PARTS. I DELIVERED THE CAR FOR REPAIRS ONLY TO GET A CALL 4 HOURS LATER THAT THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS. IT HAS NOW BEEN 6 WEEKS SINCE PICKING UP MY CAR AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS. ALL I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH JENNIFER XT 45960 AT 800 333 4542 CASE # K3094095 KIA CUSTOMER CARE TO FIND OUT WHEN I CAN SAFELY PUT MY KIDS IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10811811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 KIA RIO at 680 miles Dacono, CO Crash 1 injured

SEAT BELTS

RIO SLID TERRIBLE AFTER TRYING TO GO AROUND A STOPPED VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WHEN WE HIT THE TRAILER ON THE SIDE. THE AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE PASSENGER BAG BUSTED THE PASSENGER'S STERNUM AND A SHARP METAL PIECE APPEARS TO BE IN HER LEG AS SOME WERE REMOVED. IN ADDITION, THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME UNHOOKED AS SHE WAS PINNED TIGHT IN THE CAR. A TRUCK DRIVER WHO STOPPED BEFORE HE HIT US BY RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AS PASSENGER IN SHOCK. HORRIBLE CRAPPY HANDLING AND SKID WAS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN. ..UPDATED 11/25/14*BF UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF.. UPDATED 12/29/14 *BF UPDATED 9/25/15

NHTSA complaint #10659918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 KIA RIO at 826 miles Parish, AL

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. FOLLOWING THE INITIAL FAILURE, THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 826.

NHTSA complaint #10632708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 KIA RIO at 104,000 miles Kissimmee, FL

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE SEAT BELTS AND DISCOVERED THAT PART OF THE SEAT BELT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #10544190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 KIA RIO at 24,000 miles Toledo, OH Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE A CHILD PASSENGER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND SHOULDER INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

NHTSA complaint #10532377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 KIA RIO at 1,000 miles Muncie, IN

SEAT BELTS

THE SEAT BELT WOULD OFTEN LOCK UP WHEN ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGER, WHICH WOULD PREVENT THE OCCUPANTS FROM MOVING. ALSO, THE SEATBELT WOULD OFTEN LOCK UP IN THE RESTING POSITION, WHICH WOULD PREVENT AN OCCUPANT FROM PUTTING ON THE SEATBELT UPON ENTERING THE CAR. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A KIA DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE SEATBELT.

NHTSA complaint #10495212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 KIA RIO at 12,000 miles Campbell, CA Crash 2 injured

SEAT BELTS

WE RAN INTO A TELEPHONE POLL AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOOK, PASSENGER HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HEAD AND DRIVER HIT HIS CHEST INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND HURT CHEST.

NHTSA complaint #10493304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other KIA RIO problems