2004 Kia RIO Cinco Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 25%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco, 25% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 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.
“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 miles“While on a long road trip, I experienced a problem with the clutch on my 2004 Kia Rio Cinco. At highway speed I attempted to pass a truck when, at approximately 70 MPH, the clutch partially disengaged causing my acceleration to cease. I let off the throttle and when re-engaging the throttle, the clutch slipped again. I had to let off,apply brakes, and swerve in behind the truck I was attempting to pass to avoid being struck by an oncoming truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #10160987, filed 2006-06, 10,000 miles“While driving between 30-35 MPH vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. A police office had to use his vehicle to push the consumer's vehicle to the side of the road. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, where the transmission was replaced. The failure recurred while driving at highway speeds. This almost resulted in vehicle being hit by oncoming traffic. The vehicle was coasted of the highway, then towed to the dealership, who replaced the transmission again.”
NHTSA complaint #10111299, filed 2005-02, 18,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Kia RIO Cinco
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (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 31, 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