2005 KIA RIO Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other RIO years
- About as many complaints as other years 14th of 24 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 KIA RIO. That ranks 14th out of 24 RIO model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (12 complaints, 32%), typically at around 45,000 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
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- 37owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 4complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2005 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% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 14% | 65,125 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 4 | 11% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 4 | 11% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 11% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 8% | 9,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 8% | 60,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 8% | 27,700 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 5% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 3% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 3% | 10,306 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2005 KIA RIO recalls (1)
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.
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.
On [XXX], while driving my 2005 Kia Rio northbound on [XXX] across the [XXX], I was coming from a meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, and heading toward Jeffersonville, Indiana. While I was driving, the hood (bonnet) of my vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly flipped up and slammed into the windshield…
I was driving on public street loss control due to a pot hole in the street the car lost control flipping sliding then flip up right till it came to a stop on apt wall then when it was all over and done the airbag deployed go off on my arm right arm giving me second to third degree burns the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia rio. The contact stated that the air bag and seat belt warning lights randomly flashed. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v244000 (air bags); however, the contact did not receive a recall notification. The vehicle was to be taken to the dealer for…
When the car is exposed to moisture, either from underneath by driving through a small puddle or from above in a rainstorm, the engine compartment gets wet and causes the serpentine belt to slip. This results in sudden loss of power steering and alternator failure, which can lead to the car's power…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 kia rio. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road to a complete stop. The vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing…
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 | 37 | 1 |
| 2004 RIO | 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 2005 KIA RIO?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, engine, air bags problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 12 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2005 KIA RIO?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2005 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 2005 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.