2008 KIA Rio Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

25 complaints

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

Dec 04, 2021

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.

Oct 07, 2016

Crash: 1

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.

Apr 25, 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.

Apr 08, 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.

Apr 08, 2016

+ 20 more complaints for this component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 complaints

EXCESSIVE BRAKE FADE WHEN THERE IS THREE ADULTS IN VEHICLE. HAPPENS EITHER WHEN IT IS WARM,COLD,RAINING,DRY, FLAT OR GOING DOWNHILL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.

Feb 04, 2010

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ALTHOUGH I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE. THE CAR CROSSED THE STREET BEHIND MY HOUSE AND FINALLY CRASHED INTO A GROUP OF TREES. I THINK THAT THE THROTTLE GOT STUCK, BUT I'M NOT SURE WHY IT HAPPENED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND ENDED UP BEING TAKEN TO THE JUNK YARD. *TR

Jun 06, 2009

Crash: 1

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; AN AGGRESSIVE AND FORCEFUL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID STRIKING TWO DEER IN THE ROAD. SUDDENLY, THE BRAKES LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID SIDEWAYS. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO NORMAL OPERATION WITH CAUTION. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE SERVICE BRAKES; ALTHOUGH, HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

Apr 23, 2009

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

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.

Jun 27, 2017

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 KIA RIO5. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO TWENTY BALES OF HAY. THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO PROVIDE RESTRAINT. THE CONTACT WAS AIRLIFTED AND TRANSPORTED TO A TRAUMA HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

Jul 23, 2014

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

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.

Jul 19, 2015

MY BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THANKFULLY, I HAD A FRIEND FOLLOWING ME TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM, OR ELSE THIS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Feb 19, 2014

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

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.

Oct 08, 2019

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

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.

Feb 19, 2019

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

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.

Nov 16, 2016

AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNEDA 2008 KIA RIO5. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING.AS A RESULT, THE TIRES SPUN AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND OVER A CURB, SLIGHTLY STRIKINGTHE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL.THEAIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ *TR

Aug 01, 2016

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

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.

May 09, 2016

AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

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. *TR

Apr 03, 2015

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

WAS PULLED OVER BY LOCAL POLICE WHO NOTIFIED ME THAT RIGHT PARKING LIGHT WAS 'STUCK' ON; NOT PROBLEM DURING DAY BUT WHEN HEADLIGHTS USED PARKING BRAKE IS ALSO ILLUMINATED. ALSO NOTICED THAT DASH WARNING LIGHT FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANYONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. *JS

Apr 11, 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

1 complaint

AFTER FILLUP THE GAS TANK CAR SHAKE AND DIE WHEN RUNING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE 2ND CAR DOING THE SAME THING. *TR

Feb 23, 2012

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

DURING ACCELERATION BETWEEN 50 AND 70 MPH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STICKS TO 3RD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDER OR SHAKES REAL HARD, THE KIA DEALER IS SAYING "NO PROBLEMS FOUND". THIS HAPPENS USUALLY ON THE FREEWAY WHEN MERGING ONTO TRAFFIC, ACCELERATING FROM 40 MPH TO THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE FREEWAY AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO DOWNSHIFT DURING HEAVY ACCELERATION THEN SHIFT BACK TO 4TH GEAR HOWEVER THE VEHICLE STAYS IN 3RD AND THE TACHOMETER GOES TO THE 6,000 RPM REDLINE. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE ISSUE IS TO LET OFF THE GAS AND ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO FIX IT SELF WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON THE FREEWAY. *TR

Jan 22, 2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE SPLASH GUARD UNDER THE VEHICLE HAD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT TWO COIL PACKS FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO PUMP RAW FUEL INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. BOTH THE COIL PACKS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,200.

Nov 12, 2010

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

2009 KIA RIO HAD STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE CAR CABIN, LAST THURSDAY, JULY 15, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 PM ON LARGE BUSY HIGHWAY. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY AND CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND UNDER CAR CARRIAGE FOR LEAKING GAS. NO LEAKS NOTED. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. ODOR WAS STRONG MY EYES WERE BURNING AND I GOT A HEADACHE. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND TOOK CAR IN. THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, IT WAS NORMAL IN HOT WEATHER FOR IT TO VENT. THE SERVICE REP DID NOTE THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS. TOOK IT HOME AND GARAGED IT WITH GAS HOT WATER HEATER IN THE GARAGE. NEXT MORNING I AWOKE ON THE THIRD FLOOR CONDO TO THE SMELL OF GAS. WENT TO THE GARAGE AND THE ODOR WAS SO STRONG IN THE GARAGE, IT OVERWHELMED ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO KIA AND THEY EXAMINED IT AND SAID IT WAS NORMAL. NOTIFIED THE 1-800 KIA NUMBER. I HAD THE LOCAL KIA CHANGE THE FUEL FILTER, IT WAS NOT DUE FOR THAT YET BUT THEY SAID IT MIGHT HELP. IT HAS TO BE TOXIC TO BE INHALING THAT KIND OF FUME. HOW CAN ANYONE CONSIDER THIS NORMAL? I THOUGHT WE HAD EMISSIONS STANDARDS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM THIS. IS MY GARAGE GOING TO IGNITE? *TR

Jul 21, 2010

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

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.

Mar 27, 2010

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

SUSPENSION,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RIO. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE ON 2 OCCASIONS AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. ALSO, WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 5MPH AND UP, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A WHINING SOUND. THE DEALER ADVISED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21632. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.

Mar 09, 2010

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

HEATER FAN BLOWS COLD AIR AT IDLE, REGARDLESS OF ENGINE TEMPERATURE

Feb 08, 2010

STEERING

1 complaint

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK WENT TO GO AROUND A CURVE AND STEERING LOCKED UP,THE CAR WAS TOTAL LOST. *TR

Oct 09, 2009

Crash: 1

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN DRIVERS DOOR WAS CLOSED, DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANT. I HAD TO PAY $247.00 TO HAVE REPAIRED. *TR

Dec 27, 2008

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE WHEN PRESSING ON GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE THEN DIED AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAD VEHICLE FOR 1 WEEK WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND WOULD NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. VEHICLE HAS YET TO DUPLICATE ISSUE. 3 DAYS PRIOR TO RETURN OF VEHICLE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY HAD FOUND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER PARTS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CALLED STATING REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND THEY HAD DRIVEN IT 300 MILES IN AN ATTEMPT TO DUPLICATE FAULT HOWEVER THEY PUT LESS THAN 100 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

May 03, 2008

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2008 KIA Rio have?

The 2008 KIA Rio currently has 49 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2008 KIA Rio?

The most common problems reported for the 2008 KIA Rio are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2008 KIA Rio problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2008 KIA Rio comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.