2008 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Kia Rio has a Complaint Index of 72, ranking 6th worst out of 19 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Airbags dominate at 59% of complaints, often involving non-deployment in crashes, 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
- 72/100
- #6 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 46
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 10
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 33.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
Top 2008 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags27 (59%)
- Engine7 (15%)
- Brakes6 (13%)
- Electrical System3 (7%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Steering1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-speed frontal or rear-end crashes, sometimes with driver or passenger injuries.
- Brakes reportedly lock up unexpectedly during hard braking, causing the vehicle to skid.
- Some owners describe sudden loss of engine power or a stalling vehicle while driving on the highway.
- Steering has locked up while cornering, leaving the driver unable to control the car.
- Excessive brake fade was reported with multiple passengers aboard regardless of weather conditions.
2008 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.
2008 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.
2008 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Kia Rio reliable?
- NHTSA lists 46 complaints for the 2008 Rio with a Complaint Index of 72, giving it a Caution verdict compared to other Rio model years.
- What is the main problem with the 2008 Kia Rio?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 59% of complaints, mostly involving non-deployment in crashes at a median mileage of 65,000.
- Does the 2008 Kia Rio have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (12V244000) covers a front passenger occupant sensor mat that can develop fatigue cracking, affecting 2006-2008 Rio vehicles.
- How does the 2008 Rio compare to other Rio years?
- It ranks 6th worst out of 19 model years with a Complaint Index of 72, worse than 2005, 2007, 2011, and several later years rated Good or Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Kia Rio?
- The EPA rates it at 29 mpg combined (26 city / 33.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250.