2002 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 16%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Kia RIO, 16% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,250 miles. 19 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Our Kia RIO was involved in a front end collision where the air bags failed to deploy at over 40 miles an hour. It's by the grace of god we didn't find this out in a faster collision costing someone their life.”
NHTSA complaint #10208669, filed 2007-11, 114,080 miles“I was driving my 2002 Kia RIO on my lunch break going to my home. A young lady pulled out in front of me I was going around 45 when she pulled out. My car hit hers in the side neither my air bags or seat belt functioned like they should have. My air bags didn't even deploy my seat belt allowed me to go into the windshield. As my body was thrown forward the underside of the steering wheel broke my femur in 3 places. I filled a complaint against Kia about the air bags and seat belt they claimed the car under rolled the other car to me the front of the car was pushed back and it was flat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10144595, filed 2005-12, 65,000 miles“My daughter was driving south on hwy 360 in grand prairie texas going about 50 MPH and an other vehicle was crossing the lanes toward her and hit her vehicle at the front right side (passenger side). She was wearing a seat belt and so was the passenger.the seatbelt on the passenger side did not work and airbags on neither side deployed. The passenger went forward striking the front windshield suffering head and body injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10130095, filed 2005-07, 81,000 miles“Vehicle was in a head on collision with another vehicle. Upon impact, front airbags did not deploy, also, motor mounts failed, resulting in dashboard pushing into driver and passenger. Both driver and passenger sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10006322, filed 2003-02, 14,000 miles“Hit deer at 55 MPH airbags did not deploy and seat belt did not lock causing head to hit steering wheel and bounce back and hit seat whole front of car was tore up.”
NHTSA complaint #10143771, filed 2005-11, 53,755 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 14% |
| 2018 | 5 | 18% |
| 2017 | 3 | 10% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 10% |
| 2014 | 7 | 13% |
| 2013 | 34 | 22% |
| 2012 | 12 | 22% |
| 2011 | 5 | 21% |
| 2010 | 12 | 46% |
| 2009 | 17 | 44% |
| 2008 | 27 | 59% |
| 2007 | 21 | 46% |
| 2006 | 50 | 68% |
| 2005 | 4 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 16% |
| 2001 | 33 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2002 Kia RIO
39 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSeat belts
16 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsTires
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Kia RIO
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