KnownCarProblems2008 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Kia Rio, most often about the air bags (59% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is 11th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2008 Kia Rio problems
Air bags
27 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rio. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the seat sensor would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign…
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while parked, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the ocs in the front passenger's seat would have to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12v244000 (air bags)…
Brakes
5 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 19,000 miles.
Excessive brake fade when there is three adults in vehicle. Happens either when it is warm,cold,raining,dry, flat or going downhill. Took vehicle to dealer and they could not duplicate problem.
I was backing out of my driveway and the car would not stop although I was pressing the brake. The car crossed the street behind my house and finally crashed into a group of trees. I think that the throttle got stuck, but I'm not sure why it happened. The car was totaled and ended up being taken to the junk yard.
Engine
5 complaints · 11%Tl contact owns a 2008 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The contact drove home and noticed that the splash guard under the vehicle had melted. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who stated that two coil packs failed which…
The contact owns a 2008 Kia Rio. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine light began to blink and the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that an ignition coil failed and need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred several times. The…
Speed control
3 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
While driving on the interstate at 70 MPH, vehicle speedometer and tachometer went to zero and there was no response when pressing on gas pedal. Vehicle then died and had to be restarted. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Dealership had vehicle for 1 week was unable to find anything wrong and would not replace any…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 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 2008 Kia Rio
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Kia Rio?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (27 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); brakes (5 complaints, typically around 19,000 miles); engine (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 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 2008 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
- It is 11th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 46 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.