2004 Kia RIO Cinco Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 24,000miles, 10 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco. The part named most often is suspension, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and engine cooling (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 60% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 3 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension3 25%
- Engine cooling2 17%
- Steering2 17%
- Body and structure2 17%
- Brakes1 8.3%
- Electrical system1 8.3%
- Fuel system1 8.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 8.3%
Example complaints
Suspension: “Ok, my car makes a thumping noise under the tire, thought was the wheel bearing it's not someone said it was the axle I don't know also, the engine light has been on I changed the air filter, I read that someone else had problems with the filter, I read that the axle rusts out, I think this car should be recalled people are complaining about the same problems and Kia should fix it for free, I don't think I should pay for that the car doesn't get driven that much and I can't go far places with it in fear that it might break down somewhere, I feel like suing Kia for making a crappy cat that…”
NHTSA complaint #10614790, filed 2014-07, 88,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Car is a Kia Rio Cinco, I have experienced what seems to be clutch slippage in all gears. Car will only accelerate about 10 miles in each gear, then begins to stall and then decelerate, unless I move it to the next gear. When I reach 5th gear at about 42 miles per hour, the car will drive ok until I reach 50 and then began to decelerate, stabilizing at about 45 miles per hour.”
NHTSA complaint #10137887, filed 2005-09, 9,298 milesEngine cooling: “Car has stalled numerous times. Vehicle would not accelerate unless the gas pedal was depressed completely to the floor. The car has been into the dealer on 4 different occasions and three of the four times they have replaced a different part. The vacuum seal on the fuel line, the catalytic converter, and a part with a o2 sensor. Each time they tell me that the problem is fixed. Now there is a vibration when the car idles and a scraping sound when the car accelerates from a complete stop. The car will be in for the 5th time for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10086878, filed 2004-08Steering: “Since day one this car has had a shake in the steering wheel at the speed of 55 - 65 MPH. This car has been back to the dealer 4 times for this problem.the dealer has told me that they don't know what it is. I requested a representative come and check the car.the response that I got was, what your feeling in your steering wheel is commercialy acceptable to the industry. As a techinian myself, I believe that no new car should shake in the steering wheel. The manufacturer has declined my request to buy back my car. I need some help. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129257, filed 2005-07, 34 milesMileage when problems were reported
60% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,298 and 88,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 04V179000Apr 9, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › DeliveryCovers: Kia RIO Cinco 2001–2004, RIO 2001–2004
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…
Recall details for the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021Exterior lighting, Body and structure. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated…
- 10041265Jun 1, 2011Electrical system. Kia motors: installing an additional ground cable to the battery may cause sensor problems.
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Exterior lighting, Brakes. Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia models.
Other model years of the Kia RIO Cinco
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 12 | 24,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 70,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 21 | 56,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco reported?
Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,000 miles and the middle half falls between 9,298 and 88,000 miles; 60% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.