2004 Kia RIO Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 16%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Kia RIO, 16% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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“Our car caught on fire. Kia says that recall notices were sent out to the previous owner to take the car to a Kia dealer for repairs. Notice was sent out years ago (2002). Kia knew that the repairs were never done because no dealership had billed Kia for repairs. For nine (9) years this car was on the road without a safety recall being performed for fire. For nine years we registered this car and Kia made no attempt to find out who owns the vehicle. Kia is being very unethical because they say that a notice was sent out (one notice) and now they have done their obligation.”
NHTSA complaint #10421512, filed 2011-08, 81,299 miles“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“The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased on january 19th 2005, it has been experiencing problems with the carburetor and a bad odor that comes from the engine. The vehicle was also sold to the contact without notification of recall defect to the carburetor. The vehicle was taken to the dealers to have a part replaced to remedy problems with the carburetor but vehicle consistently experiences the same problems. The vehicle was taken back on ten other occasions for services related to the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162588, filed 2006-07, 5,529 miles“The contact stated the vehicle's front end made a loud clanking noise and was taken to an independent mechanic who determined upon examination that both rotors needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the rotors. Then, the vehicle had problems with the rear end, and was taken to a local dealer who determined that the axle bearing was bad and that the rear wheels were bent. The dealer provided the vehicle with proper maintenance and brake service and repaired the fuel pump. The vehicle was currently at the dealer for further examination of ongoing problems. No further repairs were made. …”
NHTSA complaint #10172443, filed 2006-11, 54,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V179000Apr 9, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel intake nipple of the fuel distributor is subject to fracture or cracking during removal of the quick connect coupling…Covers: Kia RIO 2001–2004, RIO Cinco 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10015755Jan 1, 2004Vacuum leak after tsb sc036. Kia technician times.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2016 | 4 | 5% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 8 | 5% |
| 2012 | 8 | 15% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 3 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 16% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 15 | 12% |
| 2001 | 24 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2004 Kia RIO
12 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Kia RIO
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