Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 7% | 0 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% | 24,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% | 17,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% | 4,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 34,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% | 103,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 5% | 163,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2002 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 2001 | 37 | 17% | 58,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have had the berings replaced 2 times in the passenger side two times now and its doing it again the other side was done first . The car just stopped dead in the road and I could not get it to move before I got it fixed the time before this . I dont have the money to keep fixing this same problem the car has been sitting for months now . I got the car to finally move backwards so I drove it backwards to the spot its in got it fixed . And for the third time its happening again.
The vehicle was stationary when it was rear ended at a speed of 30-35 MPH and neither air bags deployed. Dealer notified. The consumer stated that before the vehicle was repaired from the first collision, tne 2nd crash occured when the left tire blew out (no tire info was given).
Dt: the concusmer was involved in an accident and a tire blew out. After the vehicle stopped spinning, the consumer got out of the vehicle and it burst into flames, the fire department came and they said fire started from heat of power equipment and the ignition burned. This happened on August 6, 2005. The consumer stated she was not informed about the recall regarding the wheels. The consumers daughter complained that the steering wheel vibrated from the time the vehicle was purcahsed. The same tire that the blew out was the same one that had been replaced numerous times.
The vehicles drivers side front tire rim developed 14 inch cracks all around and pieces of the rim were falling off. The consumer believes the tire May fall off. Please describe further. Son notified owner at @ 45K miles that there was a strange noise coming from the front end of the vehicle and he thought there might be a problem, perhaps with the brakes. Owner went for a ride with the son to confirm noise but owner could not hear it. Shortly thereafter, the son complained to his father again about the noise, stating it was now much worse. Owner took vehicle for a test drive and he could hear a loud grinding/cracking/popping noise from the front end. He removed the front driver side wheel to inspect and he saw large cracks at the wheel hat area about 2-3" above the lug holes on the wheel disc. …
Related recalls (1)
Wheels
Certain passenger vehicles May have a manufacturing flaw that could cause the wheels to crack under long term driving fatigue. If cracks occur, wheel noise and vibration will result and become progressively worse over time.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all four wheels free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2005. Owners May contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel fracture
On March 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 Kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured between May 12 and October 18, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool damage to…
Steel wheel fracture
On March 24, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe04-030) to investigate alleged steel wheel fractures in certain model year (my) 2001 Kia rio vehicles.the subject vehicles are equipped with wheels manufactured from May 12 through October 17, 2000.wheels were manufactured during this period using a tool (ring die) that had improper surface treatment.this allowed tool…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Rio years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (37) and 2002 (6) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Kia Rio wheel & tire problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-159 (wheels, Apr 20, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Kia Rio wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rim (14 mentions), followed by the hubcap/cover (4).
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.