2006 Kia RIO Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Kia RIO, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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 miles“I purchased this 2006 Kia RIO lx new from gracia Kia of albuquerque. After driving the vehicle for several days, I noticed that the car has a tendency to walk or wobble at freeway speeds of 65 MPH or higher on primarily concrete freeways. This problem is not noticeable on paved road ways, just concrete freeways which have been grooved. I took the car to dealership and they checked the vehicle over and could not find anything wrong with the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173765, filed 2006-11, 150 miles“The contact owns a 2006 Kia RIO. While making a sharp turn at an unknown speed, the contact stated that the steering was harder than normal. The vehicle was aligned and the tires were rotated under warranty. The dealer test drove the vehicle twice and stated that the steering was normal. The manufacturer stated that since the dealer could find no steering failure, they would be unable to assist. The current mileage was 15,200 and failure mileage was 14,000. The consumer stated that steering makes it difficult to change gears because both hands are needed to steer the vehicle. Updated 12/12/07”
NHTSA complaint #10209654, filed 2007-11, 14,000 milesSteering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 27% |
| 2020 | 4 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 10 | 7% |
| 2011 | 2 | 8% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia RIO
50 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsOther or unknown
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 29, 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