2008 Kia RIO Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 59%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Kia RIO, 59% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 8 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.
“I have driver/passenger and side airbags. I was blindsided by a dodge dakota on the passenger side. Her vehicle slammed both of my doors on the passenger side so badly neither one would open and my daughter had to climb out of my side. One was directly at the side airbag, my car was totaled to say the least as it had multiple damage to it. What should I do about the airbags not deploying?”
NHTSA complaint #10551111, filed 2013-11, 75,852 miles“The airbag light illuminated & will not go off. After having a diagnostics run on it I was told I had to replace ocs mat sensor. You can't buy just the sensor, you have to buy the seat which contains the sensor for $800. When I called Kia $ questioned the recall, I was told my VIN did not qualify. Funny how I see so many complaints that read just like mine about a 2008 Kia RIO. I think the recall should extend further to protect the consumer from being ripped off.”
NHTSA complaint #10641286, filed 2014-10, 110,125 miles“Kia has a recall (NHTSA campaign number: 12v244000) for year 2006-2008 RIO vehicles, my Kia RIO is a 2008 however it is not listed under the VIN due to I'm guessing being manufactured after the cut off date, however the air bag light has now come on and the passenger warning light no longer works. I had my car diagnosed today and Kia informed me it was the sensor in the passenger seat that had cracked. From the recall notification. The front passenger seat occupant sensor mat can experience fatigue cracking. …”
NHTSA complaint #10676821, filed 2015-01, 33,256 miles“While driving on a local road traveling between 35-40 MPH, I swerved to avoid hitting a dear and hit a telephone pole head on. I was taken to the emergency room with injuries to my neck, back, left shoulder and left knee. My air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10231834, filed 2008-06, 6,500 miles“The passenger side air bag does not come on with my wife setting in the front seat. She weights 110# and the dealership stated that she was to light to turn the airbag on. It seems to me that a person 110# should turn the airbag system on. We feel that there is a problem with the design of the system. There was no accident yet but if it did occur there would be no airbag protection for the passenger. Please take action as this is a real safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10242039, filed 2008-09, 800 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
- 10094135Jun 14, 2016Warranty bulletin: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front…
- 10094563Jun 10, 2016Owner letter: wty002 rio - dear kia rio owner: kia motors americas highest commitment is to your safety. To that end, kia is extending the warranty coverage for the front…
- 10089310Jun 9, 2016Tsb: front passenger ocs sensor mat diagnosis and replacement - this bulletin provides information related to the replacement of the front passenger occupant classification…
- 10094564Jun 8, 2016"q and a: wty002 - certain 2008-2011 my kia rio vehicles and all 2006-2010 my kia optima vehicles front passenger ocs sensor mat kia new vehicle limited warranty extension"
- 10094169Jun 8, 2016Request for reimbursement form: wty002 rio - if you have paid to have the front passenger ocs sensor mat replaced, you may be eligible for reimbursement for some or all of that…
- 10094137Jun 8, 2016Dealer parts and service manager memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty…
- 10094136Jun 8, 2016Dealer principal memo: wty002 - 2008~2011my rio passenger seat ocs sensor mat warranty extension (wty002) - kia motors america, inc. Is extending the warranty coverage for the…
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 2008 Kia RIO
5 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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