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2007 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2007 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

About this comparison →

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

34 reports with mileage · 12 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. 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.

11 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

46 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2015
Service BrakesStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD WHEN APPLIED AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURERS RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AT AN UNKNOWN LOCATION WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY'S FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10779802

34,000 miles · Feb 2, 2015
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COUPLING WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COUPLING WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10680571

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

THE 'AIRBAG' DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CUSHION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY A 'VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONDUCTED BY KIA AFFECTING "2006-2008 MY RIO OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT" BUT ACCORDING TO…

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THE 'AIRBAG' DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS THE SENSOR ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CUSHION. THIS PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED BY A 'VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN' CONDUCTED BY KIA AFFECTING "2006-2008 MY RIO OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAT" BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP MY KIA RIO MANUFACTURED IN APRIL 2007 WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM/DIAGNOSIS/FIX IS IDENTICAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628278

23,400 miles · Apr 29, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,400. UPDATED 7/8/14*CN UPDATED 07/14/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585473

85,367 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF THE GEAR SHIFT TO LOCK UP AND NOT BE MOVED OUT OF NEUTRAL. THERE WERE RECALL ON OTHER KIA MAKES OF THE SAME YEAR BUT THE DID NOT INCLUDE THE RIO, HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE …

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BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. ALSO THERE IS INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF THE GEAR SHIFT TO LOCK UP AND NOT BE MOVED OUT OF NEUTRAL. THERE WERE RECALL ON OTHER KIA MAKES OF THE SAME YEAR BUT THE DID NOT INCLUDE THE RIO, HOWEVER I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE KIA RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519333

67,000 miles · Dec 27, 2012
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE FAILURE BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. LATER, THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, CAUSING HER TO DRIVE OVER A GRASSY AREA AND CRASH INTO THE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE FENDER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS LEFT FOR OVER ELEVEN DAYS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI #10490192

95,000 miles · Dec 26, 2012
Air Bags

MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON AND THE KIA MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IT NOT TO BE A RECALL SINCE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THIS PAST NOVEMBER 2012. NOW MY CAR TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES FROM COLD -0- TO HALF ON THE GAUGE. IT STARTS TO SHAKE AND SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE 2 ACCIDENTS. I HAD IT…

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MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON AND THE KIA MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IT NOT TO BE A RECALL SINCE MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THIS PAST NOVEMBER 2012. NOW MY CAR TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOES FROM COLD -0- TO HALF ON THE GAUGE. IT STARTS TO SHAKE AND SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF ME DRIVING. ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE 2 ACCIDENTS. I HAD IT TAKEN TO TAKE IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THIS WAS IN PART OF A RECALL THAT THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490060

9,158 miles · Dec 5, 2012
Power Train

AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2007 KIA RIO, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT MY CAR LURCH SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESUME BACKING UP MY CAR HAD POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FREQUENTLY, IT DOES HAPPEN I HAVE HAD PEOPLE IN THE CA…

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AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, 6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW 2007 KIA RIO, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND FELT MY CAR LURCH SIMULTANEOUSLY, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT BY A CAR. WHEN I TRIED TO RESUME BACKING UP MY CAR HAD POPPED OUT OF REVERSE. ALTHOUGH IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FREQUENTLY, IT DOES HAPPEN I HAVE HAD PEOPLE IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THEY "COULDN'T DUPLICATE IT". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487506

40,000 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash

TRUCK STOPPED AT STOP SIGN RAINING AT THE TIME 1304 PM GOT ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AND RAIN WET ROADS MADE THE CAR SLIDE INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TALL 4X4 TRUCK AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF ON THE RIO CAR HIT CENTER ON THE FRONT BUMPER OVER $3,000.00 IN DAMAGE TO CAR DONE TO TRUCK AND NO BAGS SET OFF SEEMS LIKE A BIG TH…

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TRUCK STOPPED AT STOP SIGN RAINING AT THE TIME 1304 PM GOT ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP AND RAIN WET ROADS MADE THE CAR SLIDE INTO THE TRAILER HITCH OF THE TALL 4X4 TRUCK AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF ON THE RIO CAR HIT CENTER ON THE FRONT BUMPER OVER $3,000.00 IN DAMAGE TO CAR DONE TO TRUCK AND NO BAGS SET OFF SEEMS LIKE A BIG THINGS IF THE BAGS DID NOT GET SET OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486722

15,000 miles · Nov 28, 2012
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKES LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT SPRAYED A LUBRICANT ONTO THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THREE YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED THAT THE EXTERIOR BRAKES LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE CONTACT SPRAYED A LUBRICANT ONTO THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. THREE YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR OTHER 2007 KIA MODEL VEHICLES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V130000 (COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS: SWITCH). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000...UPDATED 01/04/13 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10486345

Official recalls

1

12V244000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

May 31, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.

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.

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.