2009 Kia Rio Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Kia Rio has a complaint index of 67, ranking 7th-worst among 19 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 39 complaints, led by airbags (44%) and engine issues (23%), with no recalls filed.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #7 of 19 Rio years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26.5 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2009 Kia Rio problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags17 (44%)
- Engine9 (23%)
- Structure & Body6 (15%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
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 moderate-speed crashes, including one collision around 50 mph with no bag deployment.
- Some drivers describe sudden loss of steering response, with the wheel not turning the vehicle as commanded, leading to spins or rollovers.
- Tie rods and ball joints reportedly broke loose during normal turns, causing the vehicle to turn in the opposite direction than intended.
- Owners describe the brake pedal and accelerator pedal seizing together while reversing, resulting in a crash.
- Brakes reportedly failed to engage in a timely manner, sometimes paired with stalling or the transmission refusing to shift out of fourth gear.
- A driver reported higher-than-expected RPMs in 4th and 5th gear on the highway, resulting in reduced fuel economy compared to a heavier comparison vehicle.
2009 Kia Rio recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2009 Kia Rio fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 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.
2009 compared with other Rio years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Kia Rio reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2009 Rio a complaint index of 67, the 7th-worst of 19 model years for the Rio, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Rio years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Kia Rio?
- Airbags are the top complaint area, making up 44% of complaints (17 of 39), including reports of non-deployment in crashes and three crashes linked to this area.
- Does the 2009 Kia Rio have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2009 Kia Rio.
- At what mileage do 2009 Kia Rio problems typically appear?
- Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure is 48,200 miles, though airbag and engine complaints show higher medians of 69,500 and 71,000 miles respectively.
- How does the 2009 Kia Rio compare to other Rio years?
- The 2009 Rio's complaint index of 67 is worse than years like 2011 (17) and 2021 (6), but better than the 2013 model year, which has the highest index at 100.