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2009 Kia Rio Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Kia Rio, most often about the air bags (44% of complaints, typically around 69,500 miles). It is 12th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints.

Complaints39
Recalls0
Crashes reported6
Fires reported0
Injuries reported6

Most common 2009 Kia Rio problems

  1. Air bags

    17 complaints · 44%

    Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.

    I was sitting in a parking lot with a friend, when I noticed that my air bag indicator had come on. As I drove away to come ask my father what it meant, the passenger air bag light would repeatedly flash on and off, with her sitting straight in the seat like a normal person. Ever since than the air bag indicator has…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 76,000 miles
    Vehicle was involved in a collision 7/7/2017. It rear-ended a 2014 volkswagen beetle at approximately 35 MPH. The vehicle will likely be totaled due to extensive damage to the front end. Per photos, front fascia was destroyed, damage extended into the engine compartment, and the engine will no longer start nor run.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 85,000 miles

  2. Engine

    8 complaints · 21%

    Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles.

    At 39,000 miles my car started lurching and had no power. Got it to a mechanic immediately, and spark plugs and coil #1 had to be replaced. I just got to 67,000 miles, emissions control light again came on, car had loss of power and shaking. Again got to mechanic immediately, again #1 coil and #2 coils had to be…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 67,000 miles
    My coils keep going out after replacing all 4. I've replaced the complete fuel pump but everytime I fuel up my car it hesitates to start which is why I replaced the pump to begin with.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2021, at 75,000 miles

  3. Seats

    4 complaints · 10%

    2009 Kia Rio lx: while driving around town at 20mph and having 26,875 miles in the od, the airbag red light turned on and the passenger air bag light started to blink on the instrument panel. The vehicle was driven to an autorized Kia dealer where it was diagnosed using a kds having 26,927 miles, finding 3 codes…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 26,875 miles

  4. Fuel system

    3 complaints · 8%

    My coils keep going out after replacing all 4. I've replaced the complete fuel pump but everytime I fuel up my car it hesitates to start which is why I replaced the pump to begin with.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2021, at 75,000 miles

  5. Body and structure

    3 complaints · 8%

    Parts named most often: body.

    Car has suffered repeated stress cracks of windshield. Cracks start at same spot on windshield. Repaired once under warranty with huge hassle with dealership and repaired again by owner when car out of warranty. Dealer agrees cracks are not result of impact as no chipping on glass to indicate foreign body impact. It…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2013, at 15,000 miles
    Tl- the contact owns a 2009 Kia Rio 5 lx. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, both the brake pedal and the acceleration pedal became seized. Then the contact crashed the rear of the vehicle into a concrete wall. No warning lights illuminated. There where no injuries the contact filled a police report was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 21,000 miles

  6. Other or unspecified

    3 complaints · 8%

    Part affected:-door: the rear passenger door will not unlock, manually nor by key-fob, therefore I'm reduced to using three doors on a four door car. *this is the second time this malfunction has happened. The first time, it was the passenger front door. All-star Kia of baton rouge repaired it because the car was…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 69,000 miles
    Inside door handles. Vehicle was stationary. The chrome paint used on the inside door handles cracks forming razor sharp edges that has sliced my hands deep while opening doors twice. I have called to report this awhile back and was told it would be sent to higher. Have not heard any response to this day. I have had…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2018, at 69,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 Kia Rio recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

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 2009 Kia Rio

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Kia Rio?
By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (17 complaints, typically around 69,500 miles); engine (8 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles); seats (4 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2009 Kia Rio have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2009 Kia Rio. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the Kia Rio?
It is 12th of 24 Rio model years by number of complaints, with 39 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.

Other Kia Rio years

Kia Rio problems by year