2005 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Kia Rio has a complaint index of 28, ranking 14th worst out of 19 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Rio years. Owners reported 36 complaints, mostly engine-related (53%), with a median failure mileage of 51,000. One recall covers child restraint anchors.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 28/100
- #14 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 36
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 1
Top 2005 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine19 (53%)
- Airbags4 (11%)
- Electrical System4 (11%)
- Seat Belts4 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Steering3 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- HVAC1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine bursts into flames or emits smoke while driving at highway speeds, sometimes after loss of acceleration.
- Vehicle stalls or loses power suddenly in the middle of the road, in one case with the steering locking up.
- Electrical system fires start near the dashboard or air conditioner controls, with smoke and flames visible inside the cabin.
- Seat belt buckles fail to hold occupants in place during rollover crashes, leading to ejection or occupants being thrown inside the cab.
- Airbags deploy in a way that causes burns to a driver's arm during a crash.
- Fuel system problems cause stalling and much lower fuel economy than expected soon after purchase.
2005 Kia Rio recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 05V557000Dec 12, 2005Other90,865 vehicles
Child seat
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.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, if the child seat is not properly installed, personal injury or death could occur.
Remedy: 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.
2005 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Kia Rio reliable?
- Compared with other Rio model years, the 2005 Rio ranks 14th worst out of 19 years with a complaint index of 28, giving it a Good verdict. It has fewer reported problems than most other Rio years.
- What problems does the 2005 Kia Rio have?
- NHTSA complaints show the Engine is the top problem area, making up 53% of the 36 complaints, followed by Airbags, Electrical System, and Seat Belts at 11% each. The median mileage at failure for engine complaints was 52,000.
- Does the 2005 Kia Rio have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (05V557000) covers child restraint anchors that fail to fully latch, conforming to federal safety standard no. 225. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2005 Rio compare to other years like 2013 or 2021?
- The 2013 Rio has the worst complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, while the 2021 and 2022 Rios earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 6 and 11. The 2005 Rio sits well below the worst years at an index of 28.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2005 Kia Rio?
- NHTSA lists 4 fire reports for the 2005 Rio, tied to the Engine and Electrical System problem areas, including dashboard fires and engine compartment smoke while driving.