KnownCarProblems2005 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Kia Rio, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 53,000 miles). It is 14th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Kia Rio problems
Engine
17 complaints · 46%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle would suddenly stall. It would resume normally after she depressed the accelerator pedal. The failure became progressively worse over time. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership three times for at least a week so that the…
Check engine light comes on intermittently. When a diagnostic test is run on the car, error p0101 is detected. This error, "mass air flow circuit range performance problem," can be corrected by replacing the mass air flow sensor in the engine. However, this error has occurred twice in my car, the incident in january…
Air bags
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: frontal.
Seat belts
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: rear/other.
Our son was driving a 2005 Kia Rio 15 miles south of mcminnville, or when he went off the road and flipped the car. The female part of the safety belt clasp failed which resulted in him being thrown around the cab. He ended up in the cab on the roof in the back seat. He is still very sore and has back pain.
The driver seat belt latch assembly is split in two. There were no events leading up to the event, it just happened one day. It has not been repaired or replaced, it is currently being held together with duct tape.
Electrical
4 complaints · 11%Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Rio. While driving 20 MPH, the air conditioner button became stuck when the contact attempted to turn it off. As the contact and passenger attempted to correct the failure, smoke began to rise and then flames were present near the button area. The passenger snatched off the cubby hole under…
I had a 2005 Kia Rio burn down from an apparent electrical fire inside the dashboard. I was driving home one day from work and smoke started to seep through the seal around the dash. I immediately got off the road and called 911. Within 5min my car burst into flames and the whole dashboard started to melt.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 8%Speed control
3 complaints · 8%Dt: the consumer stated several times while at a stop light, then again at a stop sign with her foot on the gas pedal with the vehicle in drive and the gear shifted int neutral. The problem also occurred when driving at very low speeds in the parking lot. The gear shifted into neutral again. While driving at 65 MPH in…
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Rio. While driving at lows speeds the vehicle began to randomly hesitate. The failure usually occurred when the engine was cold or it has not rained within a few hours. The vehicle began to drive normally when the engine was shut off and restarted. The dealer has made several attempts to…
Steering
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: rack and pinion.
The right side of the vehicle has a steering rack problem. What makes me interested in this problem was the a recall of over 350 vehicles in canada for the 2004 models. The dealer , aurora Kia of fairbanks, as well as the Kia consumer care, did not seem to want to address the concern with me. I have asked them on…
When the car is exposed to moisture, either from underneath by driving through a small puddle or from above in a rainstorm, the engine compartment gets wet and causes the serpentine belt to slip. This results in sudden loss of power steering and alternator failure, which can lead to the car's power cutting out in the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Kia Rio recalls
Child Seat
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, if the child seat is not properly installed, personal injury or death could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (17 complaints, typically around 53,000 miles); air bags (4 complaints); seat belts (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Kia Rio have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 12, 2005 (child Seat). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is 14th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 37 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.