Body complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 3% | 16,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% | 52,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% | 89,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% | 47,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% | 123,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% | 21,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% | 174,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 3% | 6,000 miles |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 6% | 4,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% | 130,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving down a suburban street when my car engine caught on fire. I was able to stop and get out of the car safely. Although I had put the car in park and used the emergency brake, it rolled down the street until it hit a telephone pole, which it set on fire. The fire was primarily on the driver's side of the car. I had no reason to expect this fire to happen. A firefighter told me it should not have happened, and to do my due diligence.
I was involved in a front to rear car accident. My Kia did not have enough time to brake when the vehicle in front of me (a Honda) stopped suddenly. During the incident my Kia hit the Honda's rear twice (two impact moments) - after the first impact in a moment of panic I hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and hit the Honda once more. The airbags did not go off (my safety concern/complaint). I was glad the air bags did not go off because the gases they release affect my asthma. However, if there was a passenger with me they May have been injured on the dashboard and I also could have been injured by the steering wheel since the air bags did not go off. The entire front of my Kia was ruined: the hood was crumpled, the front bumper came off. The head lights were smashed, and the front sides of the body were cracked out of place. …
I was driving home work on the freeway and had only been on the road for 15 minutes. It was rush hour traffic and had my window down when I noticed and electrical burning smell. I thought it might be from from something outside and kept driving. The smell got stronger and stronger. After just a couple minutes of further driving smoke started pouring in from my defrost vents. I got the vehicle to the side of the road and just as I got out flames were coming from under the hood of the car and it was totally engulfed in seconds. The cause of yet unknown and under investigation from my insurance company. The vehicle has never needed any work done to it and just passed the maryland state inspection for registration 6 weeks prior to this happening.
The door latches have all worn out and need to be replaced. We rarely use the back doors as it is a car that is driven to work and back and there are no small children requiring frequent use. When the doors are opened and then closed there is a rattle that can be heard. I have never heard of a problem such as this and replacement is extremely expensive.
Tl- the contact owns a 2009 Kia Rio 5 lx. The contact stated while reversing the vehicle, both the brake pedal and the acceleration pedal became seized. Then the contact crashed the rear of the vehicle into a concrete wall. No warning lights illuminated. There where no injuries the contact filled a police report was filled. The manufacture was notified. The vehicle to an auto body shop (brendans auto body - elmsford ny 10523)the failure mileage was 21,000. Jw
Car has suffered repeated stress cracks of windshield. Cracks start at same spot on windshield. Repaired once under warranty with huge hassle with dealership and repaired again by owner when car out of warranty. Dealer agrees cracks are not result of impact as no chipping on glass to indicate foreign body impact. It is my opinion that a car less than four years old should not be having repeated windshield failures. Dealer's solution is to sell me a new car. Kia's solution is to hide behind car being out of warranty on second failure. Inspite of repeated requests by me and dealer's Kia quality assurance manager, Kia corporate never returns my calls. The only contact I have been able to make is a customer service rep who just repeats "car is out of warranty". When I asked what Kia would do if new windshields continue to crack, his solution was "file a claim with your insurance company". …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Kia Rio. The contact stated that while in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered the front cradle and lower control arm had sustained severe rusting and corrosion. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer taylor Kia located at 7870 market st. Youngstown oh 44512, to be inspected. The contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were no longer available. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000. Consumer stated dealer has agreed to purchase vehicle from the consumer since frame is rusted.
Dt: the consumer purchased two 2002 Kia rios, the first vehicle was fine. The other vehicle within 30 days of purchase at approximately 100 miles, died. This did not happen at any certain speed. The vehicle has been taken into the dealership over 14 times and they have not replaced anything . They have reprogrammed the computer numerous times. The vehicle will work for awhile, no specific time, and then die again. Consumer's daughter actually drove vehicle which was located in south carolina. The visor was replaced. The interior light would not go off, the dealer stated it was a pinched wire. The liftgate latch was replaced and the parking brake was adjusted.
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Rio years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (9), 2002 (8) and 2014 (6) model years. Body complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Kia Rio body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Kia Rio model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Rio body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 52% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (29 mentions), followed by the body › door (8).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.