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Kia RIOModel year report

2004 Kia RIO Problems

Complaints
38filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
68,520miles, 32 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Kia RIO (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia RIO. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and electrical system (5). 32 of the complaints include a mileage, and 34% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 68,520 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 11 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Wheels (2), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I was at a stop sign and my 2004 Kia RIO died , I pushed it to the mechanic and was told the timing belt lost its teeth and there is now no compression in 3 and 4 , the mileage on car is 68040. I was told basically the engine is toast and I wasn't even moving ,I was told by a couple of mechanics that the belt that Kia used is faulty . The owners manual says replace 60,000 miles but replace it 105,000 in california. How would a belt be bad in 49 states except california. …”

NHTSA complaint #10369219, filed 2010-12, 68,040 miles

Fuel system: “The car caught on fire, Kia says they sent a notification to the original owner, years ago. We feel that we were entitled to a recall notice before the car burned down. We feel this is not a small recall, it was a fire, a fire is very dangerous and can burn and kill people. We had 22 kias rios in our fleet and never received recall notices on any of them. Kia did send notices to the original owner however they had the information as to which cars received the recommended repairs and which cars never came in, there needs to be some follow up.”

NHTSA complaint #10440268, filed 2011-12, 81,299 miles

Electrical system: “Dealer changed computer, wiring harness , 2 injectors, plug, timing belt, sensor and replaced comes switches . Bought a 2004 Kia RIO in march 2005. It has been in the shop for the past 3 weeks. The consumer picked the car up at the shop, and it didn't make it off the lot before the car broke down again. Dealer offered me a rental car. Went back one week later to pick up the car and only went two miles before the car broke down again. Took the car back to dealer, and requested another car just like the one that I had a 2004 Kia RIO. Dealer said could not trade the car without refinancing it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10118855, filed 2005-08, 23,500 miles

Suspension: “The left lower control arm came loose from the car, pulling the cv axle out of place. The left lower control arm was bolted back into place and the cv axle shaft was repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #10354082, filed 2010-09, 109,318 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

34% of the 32 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 24,000 and 81,299 miles.

9%0–1019%10–256%25–5022%50–7534%75–1006%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (32 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 68,520 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’0510’07’09’11’14’16’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Kia RIO. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RIO · sedan not rated4 / 4———
RIO · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Kia RIO version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual233026$2,600
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223025$2,700
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual222925$2,700
Rio FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic212924$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Kia RIO → · 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. 11 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 11 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia RIO

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202312100,9000—36—Too new
20221270,5001—36—Not enough data
202115—2—36—Stable
2020272,7801—3673 · MoreStable
2019224,4501—32—Stable
20182835,7851—3212 · FewerRising
20173136,500243135 · FewerRising
20167950,500243165 · MoreRising
20155260,000143045 · TypicalRising
20145233,000143071 · MoreRising
201315364,626143289 · MoreRising
20125464,000143250 · TypicalFalling
20112461,0000—30—Rising
20102663,0000—3133 · FewerFalling
20093948,2000—3044 · TypicalFalling
20084646,0001—2958 · TypicalFalling
20074657,0181—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20067463,4951—29Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20053751,0001—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20043868,5202—25Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20037430,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200212836,7501—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200122348,0003—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Kia RIO model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Kia RIO have?

NHTSA recorded 38 consumer complaints for the 2004 Kia RIO as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Kia RIO is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.

Has the 2004 Kia RIO been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Kia RIO get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Kia RIO (Rio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Kia RIO reported?

Among the 32 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 68,520 miles and the middle half falls between 24,000 and 81,299 miles; 34% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.