2006 Kia RIO Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,600miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Kia RIO, 3% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,600 miles.
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.
“Resume editing I bought my car in '06, beginning my Kia nightmare...recently my transmission and clutch went out...in Kia agreed to fix it under the 100,000 mile warranty...with me paying the labor cost of $1250..because the clutch was not a covered part...after agreeing to the repairs and my car being in the shop for now 3 weeks, I get a call today with the news that they will not longer honor the warranty because they realized the odometer and speedometer were not working....which was worked on by you geuessed it Kia....back in jan...!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10421380, filed 2011-08, 96,200 miles“Purchased a 2006 Kia RIO new. About eight months ago or so the air bag off light would be on when someone was seated in the passenger seat, Kia replaced the seat sensors, but nothing else in the system. A factory mechanic inspected the car and said it was working properly. They could not fix the problem to this day. I have been told that when the light is on that the air bag will not deploy in an accident. Kia makes a very poor product. …”
NHTSA complaint #10390360, filed 2011-03, 85,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
- 10022184Jun 1, 2007Powertrain control module (pcm) reprogram - rough idle during initial cold start/dtc p0300.
- 10021561Jan 1, 2007Automatic transmission adaptive value reset/relearn.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2021 | 2 | 13% |
| 2020 | 5 | 19% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 6 | 12% |
| 2013 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 4% |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 3 | 7% |
| 2006 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 8% |
| 2004 | 4 | 11% |
| 2003 | 12 | 16% |
| 2002 | 8 | 6% |
| 2001 | 25 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2006 Kia RIO
50 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
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