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Kia RIOModel year report

2005 Kia RIO Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,000miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower 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 / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Kia RIO (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2005 Kia RIO. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine (5) and air bags (4). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 8 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 11 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins 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: Brakes (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Other or unknown (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Going 70 MPH on interstate 4 in orlando fl my 2005 Kia RIO broke the timing belt causing the vehicle to lose all engine power & rolled to a stop we were able to pull the car over to the right lane & barely avoided getting rear ended.”

NHTSA complaint #10359902, filed 2010-10, 75,000 miles

Engine: “I have a 2005 Kia RIO (VIN provided later) purchased 2006, low miles. Summer 2011 car stalled, stopped & check engine light came on & had it towed to the nearest shop, ntb. Replaced timing belt & no damage to my motor. I found out the timing belt needed changing at 60k miles (mine was lower). The mechanic wasn't able to determine a reason for the check engine light. Another suggested a bad sensor & wiped something off under the hood. The light went off after driving less than 5 miles. Replaced the alternator april 2013 (new alternator, belt & parts still under warranty). …”

NHTSA complaint #10572593, filed 2014-03, 52,000 miles

Air bags: “I was driving on public street loss control due to a pot hole in the street the car lost control flipping sliding then flip up right till it came to a stop on apt wall then when it was all over and done the airbag deployed go off on my arm right arm giving me second to third degree burns the purpose of the air bag ? I have broken back car was totaled now I got chronic pain everyday I lost my car am limited on mobilebility was going get screws placed on my back and un able to set walk or stand do to chronic pain”

NHTSA complaint #11374512, filed 2020-11

Electrical system: “I had a 2005 Kia RIO burn down from an apparent electrical fire inside the dashboard. I was driving home one day from work and smoke started to seep through the seal around the dash. I immediately got off the road and called 911. Within 5min my car burst into flames and the whole dashboard started to melt.”

NHTSA complaint #10294786, filed 2009-12, 84,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

46% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,000 and 75,000 miles.

13%0–1017%10–2517%25–5025%50–7525%75–1004%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 51,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

620062009662012201420162026
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 2005 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———

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 2005 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 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 2005 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 2005 Kia RIO have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2005 Kia RIO as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Kia RIO is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 12 complaints (32% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2005 Kia RIO been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Kia RIO get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Kia RIO (Rio, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 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 2005 Kia RIO reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,000 miles and the middle half falls between 23,000 and 75,000 miles; 46% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.