KnownCarProblems2006 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 74 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Kia Rio, most often about the air bags (68% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is 6th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2006 Kia Rio problems
Air bags
50 complaints · 68%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Component: air bags:frontal details: the drivers side airbag in my 2006 Kia Rio is apparently not working. Its warning light came on a little over a year ago, and has remained as such for ever.
I have two 2006 Kia rios both at approx. 65000 miles developed and air bag problem. I took them to the dealer and paid 105 dollars each for a diagnostic they tell me it is the passenger seat on both cars and want 600 dollars to replace the seats. Since there have been very few people sit in my passenger seats it seems…
Engine
8 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall upon decelerating and the engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. Typically, the vehicle was able to restart immediately after the failure. In addition, the vehicle would vibrate abnormally when in fifth gear while…
Engine light stays on...dealer has done nothing to solve this problem except unplug battery and plug it back in. Light still comes on. Mileage per gallon is very poor.
Steering
4 complaints · 5%Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. While making a sharp turn at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the steering was harder than normal. The vehicle was aligned and the tires were rotated under warranty. The dealer test drove the vehicle twice and stated that the steering was normal. The manufacturer stated that…
I was driving my Kia Rio. I knew there was a stop approaching. I hit the brakes, the brakes went all the way to the floor and when I tried to turn away from traffic the steering wheel would not move. I hit a yukon and totaled my car. The airbags never came out.
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 5%While driving home my car jerked real hard. Then the check engine light came on, for a little bit, then it went out. So far this is the first time it has happened so far.
Brakes
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: foundation components.
I was driving my Kia Rio. I knew there was a stop approaching. I hit the brakes, the brakes went all the way to the floor and when I tried to turn away from traffic the steering wheel would not move. I hit a yukon and totaled my car. The airbags never came out.
Fuel system
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
The 2006 Kia Rio which I bought at Kia motorsport in tallahassee, fl last year is being returned for warranty service for 3rd time in 18000 mi. All 3 times had to do with the check engine light coming on and preceding a breakdown. The 1st time was due to an unknown fuel system problem. The light was reset, and 100…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall upon decelerating and the engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. Typically, the vehicle was able to restart immediately after the failure. In addition, the vehicle would vibrate abnormally when in fifth gear while…
Electrical
3 complaints · 4%Tl contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle behind her almost rear ended her vehicle. The contact was barely able to drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle would not pick up speed, it would only coast very slowly. The failure happened twice. The…
Bought our 2006 Kia Rio in 2010, we have 70000 miles on it. The starter went out. There is no after market sterter for this car. The one that is specified will not fit. The repair shop found one that fit however after driving it for a month the car will not even turn over.
Body and structure
3 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body.
I was driving approximately 60 MPH and another vehicle merged into my lane. I was unable to avoid the vehicle but turned to the right and hit their rear end with my front passenger side. I was wearing my seatbelt but my face hit the steering wheel and my knee jammed under the wheel. The impact knocked my car into…
The contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered the front cradle and lower control arm had sustained severe rusting and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer taylor Kia located at 7870 market…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Kia Rio recalls
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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 2006 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (50 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); engine (8 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles); steering (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Kia Rio have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 31, 2012 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is 6th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 74 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.