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2009 Kia Rio

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 Kia Rio do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 38.5.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 38.5

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
74
200646
200746
200839
200926
201024
201154
2012
Compare all Rio years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
17Engine
7Seats
4Structure
3Unknown Or Other
3
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Seat Belts
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Steering
2Suspension
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Fuel System, Other
1Power Train
1Tires
1Visibility
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 9 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 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Power Train complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
2,900 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIM…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 KIA RIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE ACCELERATING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FOURTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10422448

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.