2004 KIA RIO Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RIO years
- About as many complaints as other years 13th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 KIA RIO. That ranks 13th out of 24 RIO model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (12 complaints, 32%), typically at around 53,015 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 38owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 KIA RIO problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 32% | 53,015 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 5 | 13% | 23,750 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 13% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 13% | 65,122 | — | — |
| Power Train | 4 | 11% | 60,132 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 11% | 34,508 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 8% | 49,712 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 8% | 136,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 8% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 5% | 52,800 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 5% | 108,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% | 9,300 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 3% | 5,529 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 3% | 87,050 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 KIA RIO recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Child seat
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling securing the main fuel tube assembly to the fuel intake nipple, or when force is accidentally applied to the intake nipple during the vehicle assembly process or during engine compartment repairs.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel distributor and main fuel tube assemblies. The recall began june 18, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I bought this car used a little less than a week ago. There was a thumping noise under the hood so I took the car to the dealer twice for this issue. I looked under the hood tonight and found a bunch of pieces that are not bolted down and the battery is completely unsecured and can move around…
My wife got locked in her car in the garage at home. There is a spring on the door latch that holds up a lever, that broke, causing the lever to drop and jam the lock lever. When she tried to unlock her door it would not release and the auto lock function kept the other doors locked too. We were…
Takata recall 2004 kia rio locks in car broken unable to unlock and get out the car i don't know if there is something wrong with the locking system and it has become a major problem
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal noise underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics and a dealer on numerous occasions where it was diagnosed that the front driver side wheel bearing needed to replaced. The…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 kia rio. While driving approximately 50 mph, the wheel bearing and the hub from both rear wheels detached. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The…
Other KIA RIO years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 RIO | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 RIO | 11 | 1 |
| 2021 RIO | 15 | 2 |
| 2020 RIO | 27 | 1 |
| 2019 RIO | 22 | 1 |
| 2018 RIO | 28 | 1 |
| 2017 RIO | 31 | 2 |
| 2016 RIO | 77 | 2 |
| 2015 RIO | 52 | 1 |
| 2014 RIO | 52 | 1 |
| 2013 RIO | 153 | 1 |
| 2012 RIO | 54 | 1 |
| 2011 RIO | 24 | 0 |
| 2010 RIO | 26 | 0 |
| 2009 RIO | 39 | 0 |
| 2008 RIO | 46 | 1 |
| 2007 RIO | 46 | 1 |
| 2006 RIO | 74 | 1 |
| 2005 RIO | 37 | 1 |
| 2004 | 38 | 2 |
| 2003 RIO | 74 | 3 |
| 2002 RIO | 128 | 1 |
| 2001 RIO | 223 | 3 |
| 2000 RIO | 3 | 0 |
See all KIA RIO problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 KIA RIO?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, electrical system, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 12 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 KIA RIO?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 KIA RIO a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other RIO model years, the 2004 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.