2003 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Kia RIO, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Driving down I-65, and a semi truck tried getting over into my lane. I drove into the medium, lost control of the vehicle and spun out and hit the semi truck. It ended up running over the top of my car. My car was totaled. Everything from the front of the car to the steering wheel was destroyed, melted, etc. Luckily I wasn't hurt, because I locked myself against the seat; however the airbags never deployed. I luckily ended up alright physically; however somebody else with the same car may not have my stroke of luck that I had that day.”
NHTSA complaint #10168104, filed 2006-09, 30,000 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 2003 Kia RIO
19 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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