2004 Kia Rio recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Child seat
What's wrong, in plain English: A child restraint may not protect the child properly. CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECA…
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 RIO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V557000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: CHILD SEAT
Summary: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH ONTO THE LOWER LATCH ANCHORS LOCATED BETWEEN THE REAR SEAT BACK AND REAR SEAT CUSHION BECAUSE OF INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHILD SEAT ANCHORS AND A METAL WIRE LOCATED IN THE FRAME OF THE REAR SEAT BACK. UNTIL THE RECALL REPAIR IS COMPLETED, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY YOUR CHILD SEATS MANUFACTURER ON HOW TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE CHILD SEAT WITH YOUR VEHICLE'S REAR SAFETY BELTS RATHER THAN USING THE LATCH SYSTEM.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, IF THE CHILD SEAT IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER ANCHORS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: KIA RECALL NO. SC057. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
What could happen: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2004 RIO.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V179000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE OF THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR IS SUBJECT TO FRACTURE OR CRACKING DURING REMOVAL OF THE QUICK CONNECT COUPLING SECURING THE MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLY TO THE FUEL INTAKE NIPPLE, OR WHEN FORCE IS ACCIDENTALLY APPLIED TO THE INTAKE NIPPLE DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS OR DURING ENGINE COMPARTMENT REPAIRS.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL DISTRIBUTOR AND MAIN FUEL TUBE ASSEMBLIES.
THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes: KIA RECALL NO. SC036. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2004 Kia Rio owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (14), Suspension (8), Transmission / drivetrain (7), Fuel system (7), Electrical system (6).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/02/2024 · Electrical system
I bought this car used a little less than a week ago. There was a thumping noise under the hood so I took the car to the dealer twice for this issue. I looked under the hood tonight and found a bunch of pieces that are not bolted down and the battery is completely unsecured and can move around freely. It’s horribly unsafe because the battery being loose…
04/20/2019 · Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE GOT LOCKED IN HER CAR IN THE GARAGE AT HOME. THERE IS A SPRING ON THE DOOR LATCH THAT HOLDS UP A LEVER, THAT BROKE, CAUSING THE LEVER TO DROP AND JAM THE LOCK LEVER. WHEN SHE TRIED TO UNLOCK HER DOOR IT WOULD NOT RELEASE AND THE AUTO LOCK FUNCTION KEPT THE OTHER DOORS LOCKED TOO. WE WERE ABLE TO USE MY KEY TO QUICKLY UNLOCK AND OPEN THE PASSENG…
02/28/2019 · Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL 2004 KIA RIO LOCKS IN CAR BROKEN UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND GET OUT THE CAR I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND IT HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM
01/15/2018 · Body / structure
DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK. WHEN LOCKED FROM INSIDE THE CAR YOU HAVE TO CRAWL OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AND GO AROUND TO DRIVER DOOR, PUT THE KEY IN THE LOCK AND WIGGLE THE INSIDE DOOR LOCK LEVER. SOMETIMES IT TAKES MINUTES TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. IF YOU WERE TO HAVE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE QUICKLY IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE…
08/22/2016 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT MECHANICS AND A DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILU…
08/21/2015 · Suspension
THE KIA WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT THIS TIME: IT REQUIRED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD IT WAS ABOUT TO 'DROP'. DESPITE BEING UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS MADE TO PAY FOR IT. 2007 THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND WOULD NOT OPEN. IN 2008 THE ELECTRICAL WENT. NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, RADIO AND NO 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING. 2008 THE DOOR BEHIND DRIVER WOULD NOT OPEN.…
06/16/2015 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE WHEEL BEARING AND THE HUB FROM BOTH REAR WHEELS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TIRE BEARINGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLA…
07/20/2014 · Suspension
OK, MY CAR MAKES A THUMPING NOISE UNDER THE TIRE, THOUGHT WAS THE WHEEL BEARING IT'S NOT SOMEONE SAID IT WAS THE AXLE I DON'T KNOW ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON I CHANGED THE AIR FILTER, I READ THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FILTER, I READ THAT THE AXLE RUSTS OUT, I THINK THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLE…