2006 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Kia Rio ranks 5th worst out of 19 model years, with a complaint index of 78 and an Avoid verdict. Airbags account for 68% of its 74 complaints, with 11 crashes and 14 injuries reported, plus one recall for a cracking occupant sensor mat.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 78/100
- #5 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 14
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 14 / 0
Top 2006 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags50 (68%)
- Engine9 (12%)
- Other6 (8%)
- Electrical System4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
- Brakes3 (4%)
- Fuel System3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including rollovers and collisions at highway speed.
- Some describe the steering wheel locking up or becoming unresponsive right as brakes failed to stop the car.
- Several report the vehicle stalling or losing power unexpectedly, both at highway speed and while idling in traffic.
- One owner reported a tire blowout on the freeway shortly after buying the car new.
- Another noted the car wobbling or 'walking' at highway speeds on grooved concrete pavement.
- A structural complaint described no airbag deployment after a rear-end style collision at 60 mph.
2006 Kia Rio recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V244000May 31, 2012Airbags72,568 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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.
Risk: Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Remedy: 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.
2006 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,250
- 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.
2006 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Kia Rio reliable?
- Compared to other Rio model years, the 2006 ranks poorly, with a complaint index of 78 and the 5th worst rank out of 19 years. NHTSA data shows Airbags as the top problem area, accounting for 68% of its 74 complaints.
- What problems does the 2006 Kia Rio have?
- Owners most often reported airbag issues (50 complaints, 68% share), followed by engine problems (9 complaints) and smaller numbers involving electrical, steering, structure, brakes, fuel system, and suspension components.
- Does the 2006 Kia Rio have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 12V244000) covers the front passenger seat occupant sensor mat, which could develop fatigue cracking on 2006-2008 Rio vehicles. Kia replaced the sensor mat free of charge.
- What year Kia Rio should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, and 2006 all carry an Avoid verdict, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2006 Rio ranks 5th worst among all 19 model years tracked.
- What is the median mileage for airbag complaints on the 2006 Kia Rio?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 65,000 miles at failure for airbag-related complaints on the 2006 Kia Rio.