Skip to content
SuspensionPart report

2004 Kia RIO Cinco Suspension Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
25%of 12 total for the year
Median mileage
75,103miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco, 25% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,103 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 miles

“I was driving with my girlfriend, headed out to dinner, going 15 to 20 MPH through town (25 MPH speed limit), when suddenly a loud clunking noise started, coming from passenger side rear wheel. I pulled over in a business lot & removed tire to find that the rear axel where the shock absorber connects to had rusted off & the shock absorber swinging, disconnected from the axel mount. I nursed the vehicle home & checked the drivers side rear axle & found that it too was ready to snap off. A slight tap with a hammer on the axle produced a hole of about 1 a second tap & it too came off the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10557137, filed 2013-12, 62,206 miles

“The Kia was under warranty at this time: it required a new transmission. I was told it was about to 'drop'. Despite being under warranty, I was made to pay for it. 2007 the passenger rear door stopped working and would not open. In 2008 the electrical went. No interior lights, radio and no 'door ajar' warning. 2008 the door behind driver would not open. 2013 the driver door would not open followed by the hatchback. Right now only 2 doors are able to be locked due to this issue. A new clutch was put in during 2012. The shifting has always been a little sticky with irregular timing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10750410, filed 2015-08

Suspension: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2004325%
200215%

Other parts of the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco

Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Engine cooling
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Electrical system
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology