2009 Kia Rio: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (36% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
39
owner complaints
0
fire reports
56,500
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Among the quietest Rio years (#17 of 21 by complaints, age-adjusted)No fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: air bags (36%)
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)36% · 13 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)14% · 5 complaints
Seats11% · 4 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)6% · 2 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)6% · 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)6% · 2 complaints
“Engine went out 8 months after there always been electrical issue has caused problems where it wnt accelerate causing a wreck the break light had shorts they didnt even have the radio n i went to a car lot dealership . this car left me in bad situations im just surprised its not recall I barely drive it it paid off after so many years n really only reason I have it cuz I put too much in n it n now it aint worth nuthin because of the issues that gave me”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2022
“The doors will lock and won't unlock. This happened to the front passenger door when the car was less than a year old and they repaired it. The rear passenger door locked and it won't lock so I don't load items on that side but yesterday, July 5, 2022 I got locked in on my drivers side! I had to exit the vehicle by crawling over the stick shift to the front passenger side. I've seen hundreds of complaints about this and can't understand why there has not been a recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2022
“My airbag light on my dashboard will not go out when it is reset, I don't know what sensor is bad, is there a recall on the senors”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“My coils keep going out after replacing all 4. I've replaced the complete fuel pump but everytime I fuel up my car it hesitates to start which is why I replaced the pump to begin with.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2020
“Spark plug cylinder holes filling with oil due to valve cover oring failure a recall should be done on this issue could cause a engine fire in the picture the whole spared plug was completely covered over with oil in the engine”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2020
“My airbag light will not go off for my passenger side!!! I think it is absolutely ridiculous that my car is not included in the recall because it definitely should be! What everybody says about the 2005 to the 2008 Kia Rios and the 2001 to 2008 Kia Rios is the same thing that is happening with my Kia Rio which is a 2009... Can y please add my vehicle too??? Also in the latest class action lawsuit it talks about the passenger seat pad sensor being broken and that's what breaks the passenger airbag so how in the world is my car not included in this?”Owner report · Seats · Jan 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 kia rio. The contact stated that while driving at 75 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kia of tallahassee located at: 2755 w tennessee st, tallahassee, fl 32304, (850) 666-5407, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
“Vehicle was involved in a collision 7/7/2017. It rear-ended a 2014 volkswagen beetle at approximately 35 mph. The vehicle will likely be totaled due to extensive damage to the front end. Per photos, front fascia was destroyed, damage extended into the engine compartment, and the engine will no longer start nor run. However, the srs airbag located in the steering wheel (per photo) never deployed. Thankfully, driver (our son) was, as always, wearing his seatbelt and sustained no injuries.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“At 39,000 miles my car started lurching and had no power. Got it to a mechanic immediately, and spark plugs and coil #1 had to be replaced. I just got to 67,000 miles, emissions control light again came on, car had loss of power and shaking. Again got to mechanic immediately, again #1 coil and #2 coils had to be replaced. Seems to be an underlying electrical problem that the manufacturer has not addressed. Can this problem be permanently fixed? Will a kia dealership be able to fix it even though there seems to be no recall.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2017
“Ignition coil recall. They keep going bad every two months. The check engine light comes on I lose power to the car. Get the ignition coil and valve cover fixed. I have the same problem again. While I am driving in motion and stationary this happens.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines1.6L
FuelGasoline
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 2009 Kia Rio reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Kia Rio. The most complained-about area is air bags (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Kia Rio problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 56,500 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.