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2004 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

32 reports with mileage · 6 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports2 injury reports

Suspension complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 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 MULTI…

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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 FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10897541

109,318 miles · Sep 7, 2010
Suspension

THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM CAME LOOSE FROM THE CAR, PULLING THE CV AXLE OUT OF PLACE. THE LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BOLTED BACK INTO PLACE AND THE CV AXLE SHAFT WAS REPAIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354082

76,243 miles · Mar 28, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WEAVING, VIBRATING, AND SHAKING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE LATERAL STABILIZER BAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, AWAITING THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 KIA RIO. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-55 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN WEAVING, VIBRATING, AND SHAKING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE LATERAL STABILIZER BAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER, AWAITING THE PARTS TO ARRIVE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,243.

NHTSA ODI #10222564

54,000 miles · Nov 2, 2006
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED UPON EXAMINATION THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S FRONT END MADE A LOUD CLANKING NOISE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED UPON EXAMINATION THAT BOTH ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ROTORS. THEN, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END, AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AXLE BEARING WAS BAD AND THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE BENT. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE VEHICLE WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE AND BRAKE SERVICE AND REPAIRED THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION OF ONGOING PROBLEMS. NO FURTHER REPAIRS WERE MADE. UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPALCED. UPDATED 09/25/07 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172443

5,529 miles · Jul 17, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 19TH 2005, IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR AND A BAD ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF RECALL DEFECT TO THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE A PAR…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 19TH 2005, IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR AND A BAD ODOR THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO SOLD TO THE CONTACT WITHOUT NOTIFICATION OF RECALL DEFECT TO THE CARBURETOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE A PART REPLACED TO REMEDY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARBURETOR BUT VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY EXPERIENCES THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK ON TEN OTHER OCCASIONS FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THAN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED A REFERRAL TO ANOTHER DEALERS FOR SERVICE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE RECOMMENDED DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT, AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE CONSUMER HEARD A WIND NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKES WERE MAKING A LOUD NOISE. UPDATED 08/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162588

Official recalls

2

05V557000 · Child Seat

Dec 12, 2005

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 & remedy

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.

04V179000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Apr 9, 2004

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.