2005 Kia RIO Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 32%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Kia RIO, 32% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“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“My Kia RIO died in the middle of the street. It wouldn't turn over so I had it towed to the dealer. They reported that the engine needs to be replaced at a cost of $6000. The car is still under the 100,000 mile warranty since it only has 80,000 miles on it. The dealer is refusing to honor the warranty, saying that maintenance issues caused the failure. Kia is defrauding the american public by stating it has a 100,000 mile warranty that it does not honor.”
NHTSA complaint #10259853, filed 2009-02, 80,000 miles“My son was driving his 2005 Kia RIO home from work one night when the car stalled. He was able to get it into a parking lot where one of our county sheriffs tried to give him a jump. The car would not turn over. My son took the car to the dealership on monday. He was told that the warranty had been denied due to lack of maintenance. Their definition of that was my son went over on two oil changes. I do not understand where two oil changes would cause a car to lock up. Because of the two oil changes Kia will not look at the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10204401, filed 2007-09, 54,000 miles“Check engine light comes on intermittently. When a diagnostic test is run on the car, error p0101 is detected. This error, mass air flow circuit range performance problem, can be corrected by replacing the mass air flow sensor in the engine. However, this error has occurred twice in my car, the incident in january being the third. If ignored, the check engine light may go off after time. Sometimes when the problem occurs, there is hesitation in the engine when accelerating after coming to a complete stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10316328, filed 2010-03, 65,000 miles“Failure of vehicle repair x 3 weeks. 3 different repairs, still not fixed. Kia refuses to give loan/rental to drive while performing warranty work. Car will not run, stopped in middle of interstate almost killing my college student x 3+.”
NHTSA complaint #10172568, filed 2006-11, 23,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
- 10015272Jan 1, 2005Improved timing belts for the kia rio and optima.
- 10015749Jan 1, 2004New name & maintenance schedule for evap canister vent filter. Kia technician times.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2012 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 32% |
| 2004 | 12 | 32% |
| 2003 | 19 | 26% |
| 2002 | 39 | 30% |
| 2001 | 52 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2005 Kia RIO
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Kia RIO
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology