2008 Kia Rio: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 46 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (58% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2015
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2015
“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. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Rio by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2008 Kia Rio. The most complained-about area is air bags (58% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Kia Rio problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,400 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Kia Rio have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.