2006 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 68%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Kia RIO, 68% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After turning my car on, airbag warning light was illuminated on dashboard. Has remained illuminated ever since. My car has suffered no trauma or reason for the airbags to not work, but will not deploy in the event of an accident as long as this light is on. I fear for my safety while driving my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10444905, filed 2012-01, 50,000 miles“My 2006 Kia RIO air bag light has come on & stayed on. Diagnoses-inoperative seat air bag mat. To repair, the cost would be $1000.00 with taxes. I have investigated this problem through the internet and have found that this is also a common problem with many Kia vehicles causing some air bags to not deploy at all.”
NHTSA complaint #10365551, filed 2010-11, 93,000 miles“I was in an auto accident where I reneded two cars. My air bag sid not deploy. The vehicle was hydroplane on wet roads going about 55 when I hit the brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #11288270, filed 2019-12, 145,000 miles“I was driving approximately 60 MPH and another vehicle merged into my lane. I was unable to avoid the vehicle but turned to the right and hit their rear end with my front passenger side. I was wearing my seatbelt but my face hit the steering wheel and my knee jammed under the wheel. The impact knocked my car into neutral but no air bags deployed. The emts who responded to the accident were very surprised the air bags did not deploy and said they thought they should have. …”
NHTSA complaint #10562360, filed 2014-01, 130,000 miles“I was driving my Kia RIO. I knew there was a stop approaching. I hit the brakes, the brakes went all the way to the floor and when I tried to turn away from traffic the steering wheel would not move. I hit a yukon and totaled my car. The airbags never came out.”
NHTSA complaint #10263808, filed 2009-03, 53,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V244000May 31, 2012Kia is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 rio vehicles, manufactured from february 20, 2005, through december 9, 2007. The front passenger seat occupant…Covers: Kia RIO 2006–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10021663Jun 15, 2007Air bag light illuminated, with dtc's b1362 or b1368.
- 10018512Jan 1, 2005Air bag connector lock tab/shorting bars.
Air 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 2006 Kia RIO
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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